The man who revived Kentucky Owl has a new bourbon. Here are the details.
One of the hottest names in Kentucky bourbon is back with a new whiskey.
Dixon Dedman, who revived his family’s Kentucky Owl bourbon then sold the brand to Stoli, is launching a new label.
His brand is named 2XO, which stands for Two Times Oak, because Dixon re-barrels hand-selected aged whiskey in new charred oak barrels. That gives it intense wood notes and rich, complex flavors, according to the tasting notes.
Dedman’s 2XO will be small batch blends and single barrel releases, each with a distinctive name and symbol. There will be two new small batch blends and single barrel releases each year, according to the news release announcing the new label.
The first release will be The Phoenix Blend, coming in November to select markets in limited quantities through Prestige Beverage Group. It’s 104 proof, with a suggested retail price of $100.
According to the tasting notes, the bourbon has a nose of sweet crème brulee, butterscotch, oak and red apple. On the palate, there’s caramel and vanilla, bright ripe red fruit with a peppery finish.
“Launching 2XO is a dream come true. I had a vision to create something new in American whiskey backed by the liquid in the bottle, synonymous with quality and the anticipation of the next blend,” Dedman said in the release. “I knew I needed to find the right fit, and I could not have found a better partner in Prestige Beverage Group to work alongside and turn this dream into a reality. They are passionate about whiskey and focused on accomplishing our shared goals. The Phoenix Blend is the first release, and it’s just the beginning.”
“We are so excited to be a part of bringing Dixon Dedmans’ next creation to market. The limited-edition small batch offerings will showcase Dixons’ unique approach to blending,” added Mike Morgan, president of Prestige Beverage Group.
Dedman, whose family owned the storied Beaumont Inn in Harrodsburg before it was sold to relatives earlier this year, brought back the historic Kentucky Owl brand and achieved critical acclaim as well as a major fanbase. Stoli purchased the brand in 2017. Dedman left the company in 2021.
