Whiskey blender Dixon Dedman announced the release of the second vintage of Gem of Kentucky, from his award winning 2XO (“Two Times Oak”) brand. 

Gem of Kentucky is the only double barreled, single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey on the market, available just in time for the holidays in its stunning black bottle. Dixon exclusively selected 80 single barrels from stocks of his 35% high rye bourbon mash bill that spent up to a year in new charred oak barrels before bottling. Gem of Kentucky (SRP $199.99) is an annual limited release, available in select markets nationwide and online.

For this year’s release, Dixon partnered with Lexington, Kentucky-based glass artist Travis Adams of Trifecta Design Studio to create The Unmined Gem, a one-of-a-kind hand blown glass sculpture that captures the essence of 2XO’s latest Gem of Kentucky expression. In November on Instagram, 2XO will share details on the exclusive opportunity to purchase this presenter.  

“Through its contemporary form, internal crystal texturing, and hand etched details, The Unmined Gem fuses hand blown glass with a premier bourbon offering that any collector would be proud to own,” Adams said in a news release. “The hand-etched details of the presenter draw inspiration from central Kentucky’s topography, while the form itself references classic stills and my childhood memories of cracking geodes to reveal the crystals within. I love what Dixon has done with this Gem release and am proud to be a part of the 2XO family.”

Each Gem of Kentucky barrel is unique and identified by the barrel number on the front label of each bottle. 

“This release of Gem of Kentucky is big, rich, viscous, heavy on the palate but with a balance of sweetness and spice,” Dixon said. “Gem of Kentucky is unique, because it’s the only double barreled, single barrel on the market. What better way to pair it than with a unique presenter, inspired by the black glass of the bottle and gold details? Travis really hit it out of the park with his creation, and I can’t wait for some 2XO fans to own one of these sculptures for themselves.” 

All 2XO Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys are brought to life in partnership with Prestige Beverage Group, an industry leading importer and brand innovator of award-winning wines and spirits. 

Read more: 2XO Announces Release of The Sneakerhead Blend Bourbon

About 2XO

2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was created by American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman. Dixon grew up on the Kentucky whiskey trail infusing the learnings from industry legends with his culinary expertise from running his family’s business, the famed and James Beard award-winning Beaumont Inn. He was originally known for his high-proof, robust Kentucky Owl Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey blends, a brand he relaunched in 2014 from his great-great grandfather, C.M. Dedman, after it went dark in 1916 around the time of Prohibition. 2XO, meaning Two Times Oak, refers to the blending process Dixon pioneered where every 2XO expression has additional oak exposure.