Does a whiskey have to be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon? Is Tennessee whiskey technically bourbon too? Can God create a rock so big that he cannot lift it? I've been faced with questions like this after a certain point in a boozy evening, but when I drink Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon the answers are: no, yes, and who cares, it's delicious.
You've probably already tried a number of Tennessee whiskeys. For example, Jack Daniel's is consistently among the top three best-selling whiskeys in the world. The distinct flavors of Tennessee whiskey come from the Lincoln County Process, which involves filtering unaged spirit through columns of charcoal before aging. Charcoal, also called charcoal softening, is made from sugar maple and is thought to remove some of the harshness from whiskey.
Apron and Tucker small batch Double Char obsessed with coal and the Lincoln County Process. Therefore, whiskey is aged after resting in a charred barrel for at least five years. Again in a second, even more charred barrel. This may sound like a recipe for a mouthful of smoke and a coughing fit, but believe me. The whiskey maker hit the nail on the head and instead created a smoother drink than whiskey thieves.
Like the aforementioned thieves, Bib & Tucker doesn't provide much information. The mash bill hasn't been announced, but if you look around online people think it's from George Dickel – good pedigree.
The brand also doesn't offer exactly how long it ages in the second barrel. Instead, it's said to be “five months minimum” after sitting on the first one for a full six years. The barrels are charred on a scale of one to four: level one is a light browning in the 15-second range, with four being the heaviest level and can result in some “alligator charring” as the wood slats crack and look like alligator scales. . Presumably the second barrel is at level three or four, but Bib & Tucker plays it close to the chest. All that leeway could theoretically be a warning sign, but once that ultra-smooth first sip hits, there's no doubt those sneaky moves are paying off.
Andy Vasoyan
That's not to say there's no mystery in Double Char's flavor profile. It is 88 proof, or 44 percent ABV, which is lower than the 6-year-old standard Bib & Tucker on which it is based. Despite this, there's a slight burn that reminds you that this is a serious brown, plus a warm sweetness that transitions into occasional spice and spine with an equally pleasant mouthfeel. Many whiskeys say you can taste the spice notes, but Double Char really lets you sit with the vanilla flavor.
Of course the smoke is there too; Bib & Tucker could easily have gone overboard due to the smoky flavor from the second charred barrels. Luckily, Double Char weathers the gnarly black smoke of a kitchen mishap so well that it forces you to order takeout. Instead there is the gentle smoke of a campfire, inviting you to sit down and have a good time.
Speaking of sitting, the Double Char is comfortably parked in the $55 price range, which means you can give someone a nice shot or happily add a big splash to an old fashioned or other whiskey cocktail. I offered this neatly to a handful of people and the first thing they said (“Damn, this is so smooth”) was then asked to have it in a cocktail.
In fact, if you're shopping for gifts or bringing something to a nice party this holiday season, Bib & Tucker Double Char is the whiskey I'll buy. Take her to the party and tell her friends no, no bourbon to have It'll be made in Kentucky, so yes, this Tennessee whiskey is also a bourbon, and honestly, is it? Who cares, because it's absolutely delicious.
Related: Don't Listen to Whiskey Snobs. Here Are the Best Ways to Enjoy Bourbon