I haven’t been this excited to write a bourbon review in quite some time, and for good reason. This is a review of the 2026 Double Oaked Single Barrel from Thirteenth Colony Distilleries. That excitement needs a bit of context: the very first batch of Thirteenth Colony Double Oaked is, quite possibly, my all-time favorite whiskey. It was easily the best double-oaked bourbon I’ve ever experienced.
So, when I had the opportunity to acquire a sample of this 2026 “hazmat” release, an 11-year bourbon bottled at a staggering 141.6 proof, I could hardly contain myself. Interestingly, this marks only the second time Thirteenth Colony has released a double-oaked “single barrel.” But enough preamble, let’s get into the glass.
Nose
The nose opens with a rich wave of toasted brown sugar, warm and inviting. Despite the hazmat-level proof, the ethanol presence is surprisingly restrained, offering only a faint tingling in the nose hairs. After a sip or two, and allowing the bourbon a moment to breathe, the aroma begins to evolve beautifully.
A creamy, buttery sweetness emerges, reminiscent of melted marshmallows being folded into warm butter, like the early stages of making Rice Krispies treats. Beneath that, subtle layers of maraschino cherry and soft vanilla begin to take shape, adding a delicate fruit-and-cream dimension.
As the pour continues to open up, deeper notes reveal themselves: light caramel, gentle oak, and a faint woody backbone. With time and air, the nose becomes increasingly sultry, rounded, slightly decadent, and quietly evolving.
Palate
The first sip delivers a syrupy, viscous mouthfeel, coating the palate with flavors of toasted sugar and charred dark chocolate. There’s a richness here that leans into confectionery territory, a kind of dark, molasses-forward crust sweetness that you would find on crème brûlée. This is intertwined with a lightly bitter cocoa edge.
Remarkably, this does not drink like a 141.6 proof bourbon. If tasted blind, you might place it in the mid-120s or lower.
As it develops on the tongue, a gentle molasses sweetness emerges, accompanied by a subtle “confectionary char” with a balance of sugar and oak. With each sip, the bourbon seems to grow sweeter and more cohesive (reminiscent of Batch 1), which is particularly impressive at this proof.
As I already alluded to, this initial experience is strikingly reminiscent of the first release of Thirteenth Colony Double Oaked on its earliest pours, if my memory is serving me well. That batch evolved into something truly exceptional over time, and this one gives early signs that it may follow a similar trajectory.
For an 11-year bourbon, I expected a more assertive oak presence. Interestingly, the oak is quite restrained on the palate at this stage, allowing sweeter and more robust notes to shine through. Additional layers reveal hints of honey, buttered pastry, and even a faint whisper of mint that adds a touch of brightness to the profile.
Finish
The finish is, perhaps, the most surprising aspect of Thirteenth Colony Distilleries 2026 Double Oaked Single Barrel Bourbon. Given the proof, you might expect an intense, lingering heat, but instead, it remains relatively composed and balanced. The warmth is there, but it doesn’t overwhelm.
It tapers into a moderately sweet conclusion, carrying forward some of the palate’s confectionery notes, though at a slightly reduced intensity. Toward the very end, there’s a gentle drying sensation with a touch of tannic structure, but it never crosses into what I would call a “dry” finish. Instead, it walks a fine line between sweet and structured, leaving a clean and satisfying impression.
Final Thoughts
If you were a fan of previous Thirteenth Colony Double Oaked releases, there’s little doubt this one will resonate with you. This review is based on an initial pour from a sample provided by Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, with no expectations going in, and it has certainly made an impression.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any of Batch 1 remaining for a true side-by-side comparison, so I’m relying on memory. That said, the similarities in early pours are striking. The big question now is how this bourbon will evolve over time, and whether it will follow the same remarkable path as that first, unforgettable batch.