American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman, founder of 2XO, has launched The Kiawah Blend, a limited release and the fourth release in 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey’s Icon Series.
The name of this bottle references Kiawah Island, a barrier island on the Atlantic coast, 25 miles southwest of Charleston, SC.
“Kiawah Island is a special place for me,” says Dedman. “It’s where my family has been vacationing since I was a kid, where my wife and I have been taking our children. It’s my happy place, where I can get away with family and friends and step off the grid.”
2XO, meaning Two Times Oak, refers to Dixon’s blending process where every 2XO expression has additional oak exposure. The Kiawah Blend is comprised of two mash bills, a high rye 35% bourbon mash bill and a moderate rye 18% bourbon mash bill. Dedman double barrels the high rye 35% bourbon mash bill into new charred oak barrels, both #3 and #4 char levels, for nine months to a year. The double-barreled high rye mash bill makes up 60% of The Kiawah Blend. That additional oak interaction is meant to build sweetness to balance out the spice from the rye in the mash bills.
The result is a palate of vanilla, oak, clove, lemon and a light peppery spice, the company reports.
All 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys release in partnership with Prestige Beverage Group.
The Kiawah Blend will be available nationwide and online at ReserveBar. The suggested retail price is $99.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
This follows the recent launch of 2XO Gem of Kentucky.
