Bib Tucker Double Char Bourbon

Double Char Bourbon from Bib & Tucker is a Tennessee bourbon bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof). The name points to a double-charred barrel treatment, which is the main clue to how it drinks. Heavier char on new oak generally pulls more caramelized wood sugar and toasted vanilla into the spirit, and it also adds a darker, slightly smoky edge. Expect that profile here: a nose of caramel, vanilla bean and toasted oak, with a hint of campfire char behind it. We haven't measured the bottle's flavor ourselves, so treat this as the typical character of the style, not a fixed tasting sheet. At 46%, it carries more weight than a bottle at the 40% minimum. Bourbons at this strength usually hold their texture and spice, with a baking-spice or black-pepper finish and a sweetness that comes from the corn mash bill rather than from added flavoring. Pour a measure neat first to see where the char sits. Then add a few drops of room-temperature water, which tends to loosen the oak and bring the vanilla and fruit forward. A single large ice cube is the better choice if you want it cold, because it chills slowly and won't flatten the spirit the way a handful of small cubes can. The proof and the char make it a sensible choice for stirred cocktails. In an Old Fashioned, the toasted-oak notes work well with demerara syrup and orange peel, and Angostura bitters add to the spice. In a Manhattan, sweet vermouth will highlight the caramel side, so a dash of orange or aromatic bitters can balance it. A Whiskey Sour with fresh lemon gives the sweetness something to push against. A tall highball with soda or ginger beer, and a lemon twist, is a lighter use for it. For glassware, a Glencairn concentrates the aroma and suits slow nosing of the char and vanilla. A rocks glass is the better fit for a large cube or an Old Fashioned. Food pairings follow the same lines: barbecue, grilled red meat, aged cheddar, or dark chocolate with a bit of salt.