Mad River Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey

Double Tapped is a flavored bourbon from Mad River Distillers in Vermont, bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). It is finished in barrels that previously held maple syrup. That detail matters more than the label might suggest. The syrup-soaked oak adds a gentle maple sweetness to a base of oak and vanilla, rather than a sugary maple flavoring poured over the top. If you've tried maple-flavored whiskeys that taste like pancake topping, expect something quieter here. Bourbon in this style usually shows caramel, toasted oak and light baking spice, with the maple arriving as a rounded, slightly woody sweetness on the mid-palate and into the finish. Because the sweetness is already built in, this bottle suits drinking neat. Pour a small measure into a Glencairn glass and nose it before the first sip. The tapered rim concentrates the vanilla, oak and maple aromas, and 45% is strong enough to carry them without needing much help. A few drops of room-temperature water will open it up and soften the alcohol edge. A single large rock is a sensible alternative in a rocks glass. It chills the pour slowly and dilutes it little, which keeps the maple from going flat. Crushed or small cubes will water it down quickly and are best avoided. In cocktails, the maple finish lets you cut back on added sweetener. An Old Fashioned is the obvious choice. Use two ounces of the bourbon, two dashes of Angostura bitters and an orange peel, and skip the sugar cube or use only a bar spoon of simple syrup. A Manhattan with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters works too, though go easy on the vermouth so the pairing doesn't turn cloying. In a Whiskey Sour, the maple stands in for part of the sugar, so start with a lighter hand on the syrup and adjust to taste. For a highball, combine it with ginger beer or dry ginger ale over ice and finish with a lemon wedge. The citrus and spice offset the sweetness well. At the table, this bourbon pairs naturally with foods that already share its flavors: smoked or glazed pork, roasted squash, aged cheddar, pecan desserts, and apple-based dishes.