Seelbach's Private Reserve 12-Year Double Oaked Kentucky Bourbon
Blake Riber
October 23, 2026
In 2015, I reviewed Batch 2 of Kentucky Owl on the Bourbonr Blog and was blown away. It was eye-opening for many reasons. This was a couple of years before their acquisition. It felt like a changing of times for what was possible from independent bottlers. But, I obsessed over their use of double oaking to develop flavor and depth. We've all tried Woodford Double Oaked over the years, which is a fine bourbon. But, the layered flavor development and complexity is what I started chasing with the Seelbach's 10-Year Double Oaked. Using two types of oak and an extra two years of aging has created a monster. The Seelbach's 12-year Double Oaked drinks like the original KO batches I loved. It's full of sweet oak, vanilla cream, and orange spice. The extra aging for this release was well worth the wait!
Age: 12-Year Old
Proof: 118.16 proof
Double Oak: A blend of 12-year 2-month Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in a 72-month air dried stave Zak Cooperage barrel for 18-months. This is blended with 12-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Kelvin barrels for 4-months.
Source: Kentucky
Mash Bill: 78/13/9 Corn/Rye/Malted Barley
Blake's Tasting Notes: The nose starts very nice and balanced. Rich oak, dates and orange bitters. There’s a touch of vanilla and roasted pecan. But when it hits the palate, wow! It’s a double fudge brownie with caramelized cherries. Incredible viscous and indulgent. The two different finishing barrels marry in the best way. Sweet oak and tobacco from the Zak barrel combine with toasty vanilla bean ice cream from the Kelvin barrel. There’s more of the pecan from the nose. That begins to develop into a brighter fruit and spice note as it transitions to the back palate. Orange creamsicle, sage and oak spice linger long after the pour is finished.
The Story: Seelbach's is dedicated to 'unlocking craft spirits.' As a bespoke independent bottler, we embrace patience, waiting for that special whiskey to cross our path. Seelbach's Double Oaked starts with a rich high-rye bourbon. The additional aging in in new oak adds depth and complexity. The result is a robust whiskey. Its prominent flavor notes are dark chocolate, toasted sugar and oak. Enjoy!