Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon

The French oak in this finish sat outside for three years first.

Coopers season oak by stacking the cut staves outdoors and letting rain, sun, and time pull out the harsh tannins. Most barrel wood gets a year or two. Pursuit United's Double Oaked Bourbon is finished on French oak staves seasoned for 36 months, then given a medium toast. Pursuit says that finish is where the butterscotch comes from, along with the deep amber color.

The bourbon going in is a blend of three, from three states. One is from Bardstown Bourbon Co. in Kentucky, one from an unnamed Tennessee distillery, and one from Finger Lakes Distilling in New York. The New York bourbon is wheated, meaning wheat takes rye's usual spot as the second grain, which softens it. The other two are low-rye.

Pursuit Spirits belongs to Ryan Cecil and Kenny Coleman, who started the Bourbon Pursuit podcast in 2015. When this bottle came out in 2024, Cecil explained what they were after: "As longtime fans of vintage whiskey, we wanted to craft something truly special that gave a nod to the best bottles we've been lucky enough to try."

It's 108 proof, so a splash of water won't hurt it, and it makes a rich Old Fashioned.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: butterscotch, toffee, toasted marshmallow
• Palate: butterscotch, vanilla custard, cake frosting
• Finish: cinnamon-spiced baked pear, toasted oak, clove

Bottle Specifications

• Category: A blend of straight bourbon whiskeys (low-rye and wheated)
• Age: No age statement
• Mash bills: Bardstown Bourbon Co., KY: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley. Tennessee partner: 80% corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley. Finger Lakes Distilling, NY: 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley
• Finish: French oak staves, seasoned 36 months, medium toast
• Proof / ABV: 108 proof / 54%
• Blender: Pursuit Spirits, Louisville, KY
• Bottle size: 700ml

FAQ

What does "double oaked" mean here?
After the bourbon is blended, it gets a second round of oak contact on French oak staves. It's a finish: extra flavor on top of the bourbon's original aging.

Did Pursuit distill this bourbon?
No. Pursuit is the blender. Cecil and Coleman source the whiskey from Bardstown Bourbon Co., a Tennessee distillery they don't name, and Finger Lakes Distilling, then blend and bottle it in Louisville.

Why is it a 700ml bottle?
Pursuit moved the whole United line to a custom 700ml bottle in 2025. It holds a little less than a standard 750ml bottle.

Good in an Old Fashioned.