Chicken Cock Double Oaked Whiskey 750ML

Chicken Cock Double Oaked Whiskey 750ML is a 92-proof Kentucky whiskey aged seven years in used barrels and finished in new white American oak (750ml, 46% ABV). Its reverse double-barreling process — used oak first, then new oak — inverts the conventional bourbon method, yielding a whiskey that is technically classified as Kentucky whiskey rather than bourbon.
Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 Proof)  |  Origin: Bardstown, Kentucky  |  7-Year, Double Oaked  |  Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
Production & Heritage
Chicken Cock traces its origins to 1856 in Paris, Kentucky, and became one of the most recognizable whiskey names of the pre-Prohibition era — famously smuggled in tin cans during the dry years. The modern brand is produced at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, one of the state’s most technically advanced contract distilling operations. The Double Oaked expression uses a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. What distinguishes this release from most double-barreled whiskeys is the sequence: the spirit first matures for seven years in previously used barrels, absorbing mellower, more nuanced wood character, before moving into fresh new white American oak barrels for a finishing period. Because it does not spend its full maturation in new charred oak from the start, it cannot legally carry the bourbon designation — an intentional trade-off that prioritizes flavor complexity over label conventions.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Caramelized sugar and toasted coconut greet the nose first, followed by brown butter and warm vanilla. Deeper breaths reveal hints of maple syrup and subtle charred oak.
Taste: The entry is round and sweet, with rich toffee and dark cherry leading into a mid-palate layered with cocoa and dark fruit. The 21% rye asserts itself through baking spice and nutmeg as the whiskey opens up, while a pleasant nuttiness and brown butter richness fill the back palate.
Finish: Medium-long and warming, with charred oak, leather, and lingering vanilla that gradually fades into dark chocolate and berries. The second oaking adds noticeable depth to the close without harsh tannic bite.
How to Drink Chicken Cock Double Oaked
Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal way to experience the layered effect of the double-barreling process; the 46% ABV holds up well without becoming hot. A single large ice cube also works to slowly open the sweeter notes. In an Old Fashioned, the rich caramel and dark fruit backbone stands up to bitters and sugar without disappearing. A Boulevardier benefits from the toasted coconut and chocolate undertones, which complement sweet vermouth and Campari. For a Whiskey Sour, the toffee sweetness and fruit-forward palate balance citrus acidity naturally, requiring less simple syrup than lighter-bodied whiskeys.
Best For
Bourbon drinkers curious about how barrel sequencing changes flavor
Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who values unusual production methods
Side-by-side tasting nights comparing double-oaked expressions
After-dinner sipping alongside rich desserts like pecan pie or chocolate torte
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chicken Cock Double Oaked taste like? It delivers rich caramel, dark cherry, and cocoa on the palate with toasted coconut and brown butter on the nose, finishing with charred oak, leather, and dark chocolate. The overall profile is full-bodied and dessert-leaning with moderate rye spice.
How does Chicken Cock Double Oaked compare to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked? Woodford Reserve Double Oaked follows the standard bourbon path — new charred oak for the primary aging, then a second new barrel for finishing — resulting in heavier oak and char influence. Chicken Cock reverses this by aging in used barrels first, which produces a mellower wood influence and allows more grain and fruit character to show through before the new oak finish adds sweetness and structure.
Is Chicken Cock Double Oaked good for sipping neat? Yes, the 46% ABV is approachable without water, and the seven years of initial maturation provide enough depth and balance to reward slow, thoughtful sipping. A few drops of water can further open up the coconut and maple notes.
Where is Chicken Cock Double Oaked made? It is distilled and aged at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky, the heart of bourbon country. The Chicken Cock brand itself dates to 1856 and was originally based in Paris, Kentucky.
What foods pair well with Chicken Cock Double Oaked? Smoked brisket or pulled pork works well with the charred oak and toffee notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the cocoa and cherry character. Pecan pie matches the nutty, caramel sweetness. Aged Gouda or sharp cheddar contrasts the rich sweetness with savory depth. Crème brûlée echoes the caramelized sugar and vanilla in the aroma.
What sizes does Chicken Cock Double Oaked come in? The standard offering is the 750ml bottle at 46% ABV.
Is Chicken Cock Double Oaked worth the price? It positions as a mid-to-upper-tier whiskey, and the seven-year age statement combined with the unconventional double-oaking process provides genuine production complexity that justifies its placement above entry-level bourbons. The distinctive barrel sequencing gives it a character you cannot replicate with a standard double-oaked bourbon, adding legitimate value for drinkers seeking something different.
Why Chicken Cock Double Oaked?
The reversed double-barreling process is the real story here. By aging first in used cooperage, the distillers allow the grain character and softer wood tones to develop over seven years without the aggressive tannin extraction that comes from new oak. The subsequent finishing in new white American oak barrels then adds the caramel, vanilla, and toasted coconut layers on top of an already mature spirit — rather than doubling down on raw oak flavor. This approach is rare enough that it forces a different legal classification entirely: Kentucky whiskey, not bourbon. For drinkers who have explored conventional double-oaked bourbons and want to understand how barrel sequencing shapes flavor, this expression provides a genuinely educational and rewarding comparison point.