Doc Swinson's Garryana is a straight bourbon from the Exploratory Cask series, finished in rare Garryana oak and bottled here at 108.8 proof (54.4% ABV).
Quercus garryana, also called Garry oak or Oregon white oak, is the only oak native to the Pacific Northwest coast, growing from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon into northern California; it even runs through the backyard of Doc Swinson's ageing warehouse. It is a hard, slow-growing wood with a tight, complex grain that makes it notoriously difficult to split into barrel staves, which is exactly why Master Blender Jesse Parker was drawn to it.
Where standard American white oak delivers vanilla, caramel and familiar toasted sweetness, Garryana turns those notes darker, more resinous and more complex: cinnamon becomes clove, and caramel deepens. Expect dark caramel, baking spice and oak on the nose, a rich, full palate of clove, toffee and pronounced toasted oak, and a long, spiced, warming finish.
An adventurous bourbon from a wood almost no one uses, it makes a fine gift for whiskey explorers.
Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Dark caramel, baking spice and oak.
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Palate: Clove, toffee and pronounced toasted oak.
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Finish: Long, spiced and warming.
Specifications
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Producer: Doc Swinson's (Master Blender Jesse Parker)
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Style: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Exploratory Cask series
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Proof / ABV: 108.8 proof (54.4% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: Finished in Pacific Northwest Garryana oak
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Region: Washington, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Enjoy it neat or with a splash of water. It pairs with spiced desserts, smoked meats or a cigar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garryana oak?
Garry oak, the only oak native to the Pacific Northwest coast.
Why is it rare in whiskey?
Its tight, complex grain makes it hard to split into staves.
What proof is it?
This bottle is 108.8 proof.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
