Jim Beam Devil’s Cut vs Jim Beam Double Oak: Head to Head!

Discover the differences between Jim Beam Devil’s Cut vs Jim Beam Double Oak in this head to head comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut

Nose	Cherry, vanilla, caramel, oak, ethanol
Palate	Oak char, pepper, caramel, vanilla
Finish	Short, oak char, caramel
Alcohol content	90 proof (45% ABV)
How to drink	Old Fashioned
Similar to	Jim Beam Black Label, Jim Beam White Label

On the nose, the Jim Beam Devil’s Cut reminds me of the Knob Creek a bit (crafted at the same distillery) as it has the same cherry note, along vanilla, caramel and oak, although the first has more ethanol scent than the Knob Creek.

On the palate, this bourbon delivers oak char bitterness up-front, along a peppery note but it mellows out into a a caramel and vanilla taste, with a pinch of cherry as you let it develop.

The finish is short-lived, somewhat warm, with more oak char to it and just a tad of caramel.

Definitely not the best sipper as it feels boozy and peppery. Ice tunes-down the heat and the pepper a bit but still not a enjoyable bourbon.

Its best use is in cocktails as the 90 proof, along those peppery and oak char notes can deliver an interesting Old Fashioned.

If you are wondering what a hell is the Devil’s Cut, this is a term coined by Jim Beam referring to the liquid trapped in the wood staves of the barrel.

Jim Beam found a way to extract this liquid and later blend it with other whiskeys.

There are a few facts worth knowing about the Devil’s Cut:

• Aged for 6 years.

• The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley.

Jim Beam Double Oak

Nose	Ethanol, smoke, vanilla, caramel
Palate	Smoke, oak char, vanilla, caramel
Finish	Oak, smoke, caramel
Alcohol content	86 proof (43% ABV)
How to drink	Rocks
Similar to	Maker’s Mark 46

Nose kicks-off with a blast of ethanol and smoke providing an intimidating welcome. But it fades into vanilla and caramel as you let it breathe.

Palate, feels a bit warm on the first sip, while bringing noticeable smoke up-front, followed by an oak char hit.

Vanilla and caramel come later to the scene but they are overwhelmed by the smoke and oak char.

The finish is short and warm, rich in oak and a tad of caramel.

Adding rocks makes this bourbon remarkably better as ice tunes down some of the harsh notes and the heat while releasing sweetness and oak.

The Jim Beam Double Oak tastes better than how the previous lines suggest. It has some rough edges to it but is satisfying as the smoke and the oak char make it interesting.

It drinks warmer than an 86 proof bourbon but adding a large ice ball makes it entirely drinkable.

The Double Oak is the same whiskey as the traditional Jim Beam, but after 4 years of aging it is transferred to newly charred American oak barrels.

This additional aging removed the nail polish notes of the classic Jim Beam making it a better tasting whiskey.

There are a few facts worth knowing about the Double Oak:

• Aged for 4 years.

• The mash bill is comprised of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley.

• Winner of Gold Medal at the 2017 SIP Awards.

What’s the difference between the Jim Beam Devil’s Cut and the Double Oak?

Both bourbons use the traditional Jim Beam White Label as their base, but there are two main differences:

• Devil’s Cut is aged for 6 years and is made from a blend of the liquid trapped in the staves of the barrel and typical bourbon.

• Double Oak ages four years in freshly charred, new American oak barrels and then transferred to newly charred American oak barrels and aged to taste.

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut vs Jim Beam Double Oak: Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price	Proof
Jim Beam Devil’s Cut	$24	90
Jim Beam Double Oak	$23	86

Jim Beam Devil’s Cut vs Jim Beam Double Oak: Which is better?

The Double Oak is a better whiskey than the Devil’s Cut

Whiskey	Jim Beam Devil’s Cut	Jim Beam Double Oak
Nose	✅
Body	✅
Palate		✅
Finish		✅
Value		✅

• The Double Oak is not the easiest bourbon as it has some harsh notes but adding ice makes entirely drinkable.

• This bourbon is rich in smoke and oak char, but ice releases vanilla and caramel making it easier to drink.

• The Devil’s Cut is boozy, peppery and somewhat bitter and although ice tunes down the heat and the pepper does nothing for the bitter note.

• The Devil’s Cut is a better choice when looking tasty to add a kick to your Old Fashioned.

Learn more about this brand by reading my post: Discover the Best Jim Beam Whiskey where I rank every bottle.