Oak & Eden is owned by Joe Giildenzopf, Jamie Giildenzopf, and Brad Neathery who started Texas-based Sanctified Spirits Company. Oak & Eden In-Bottle Finished Whiskey is a unique value for the adventurous whiskey drinker. Each Oak & Eden whiskey has a 5” oak spiral in each bottle.

They’ve turned traditional second barrel finishing on its head. The process goes something like this:

• Oak & Eden sources whiskey from around the country
• It bottles the whiskey and places its  patent-pending oak spiral in each bottle
• You drink Oak & Eden and enjoy.

Drinking and experimenting with oak spirals won’t be for everyone, but I love this kind of experimentation. If you’ve been around here long enough, you’ve seen my Michter’s Toasted Stave Project and Belle Meade Toasted Stave & Honey Project. With that being said, Oak & Eden review will be a bit different. Here’s my plan:

• First Review – March 15
• Second Review – April 15 (30 Days)
• Third Review – July 15 (90 Days)
• Final Review – Dec 15 (6 months)

I will update each review with further development of flavor, complexity, and overall drinking experience. If you enjoyed playing with your food as a kid, Oak & Eden will be worth exploring.

Bourbon & Spire

Oak & Eden bourbon is aged for two years then bottled with a toasted American Oak spiral for further aging.

Nose – 86 out of 100 Points

Rich vanilla followed by sweet cinnamon and berry-made honey. Rounded out with charred oak and fresh leather. The more time spent the more I was rewarded.

Taste – 85 out of 100 Points

The palate presents with oak followed by a blooming peppery note. The mid-palate has a nice honey pop followed up with stewed berries. It’s a lightly creamy and crisp mouthfeel.

Finish – 85 out of 100 Points

The finish is medium with blooming cinnamon and oak.

Complexity – 85 out of 100 Points

It’s interesting because on the nose and palate the flavors seemed delayed. But the bourbon opened up if you gave it a chance. The finish though was upfront and in your face. The nose had the most depth and complexity. Overall a consistent drinking experience with a solid amount of depth.

Value – 87 out of 100 Points

Bourbon & Spire is $48.99. The value is going to be whiskey drinkers who want to support local distilleries and who are interested in Drink Your Own Adventure whiskey with the spires.

Verdict – Silver 85.6 out of 100 Points

Wheat & Spire

Oak & Eden’s wheated bourbon is finished with a fired French Oak spire.

Nose – 90 out of 100 Points

The French oak stave adds a layer of prominent spice. I’m also picking up a Black Forester cake with dark, rich chocolate and subtle, stewed cherries. I’m also getting a bright citrus undertone. I am really digging the nose. Lots of interesting flavors.

Taste – 84 out of 100 Points

Peppery notes abound with cinnamon cream cheese also making an appearance to mellow the palate out. Fresh oak shows up on the back palate. I enjoyed the nose so much but the flavors didn’t translate to the palate. The aromas were balanced and complex while the palate was muted and missing the unifying flavors.

Finish – 84 out of 100 Points

The fired French oak spirals shine through on the finish with a creamy cinnamon backdrop.

Complexity – 86 out of 100 Points

I’m torn because the nose had complexity upon complexity but it just didn’t carry through the drinking experience. I wanted those chocolate, cherries, and citrus notes layered on the palate as well.

Value – 87 out of 100 Points

Wheat & Spire is $47.99. The value is going to be whiskey drinkers who want to support local distilleries and who are interested in Drink Your Own Adventure whiskey with the spires.

Verdict – Silver 86.2 out of 100 Points

Rye & Spire

Rye whiskey finished with a charred American Oak spire.

Bourbon & Brew

Bourbon whiskey finished with a cold brew coffee steeped French Oak spire.

Round Prairie Rye

Round Prairie Rye is a collaboration with Americana rock duet Jamestown Revival. Round Prairie Rye is a barrel proof blended rye finished with a medium toast French oak spire.

Bourbon & Vine

Bourbon & Vine has been a limited offering, so you’ll want to join Oak & Eden’s mailing list to be notified when it’s available again.

Rye & Rumba

Rye & Rumba starts as Oak & Eden’s standard rye whiskey. A heavily toasted oak spiral is then soaked in a Caribbean rum for 6 weeks then moved to bottling.

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