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2XO Whiskey and blender Dixon Dedman announced the national expansion of White Oak Rye, now available in 40 states. The product, with a 95% rye mash bill, uses Dixon’s double-oak technique to enhance its flavor profile. It joins American Oak Bourbon and French Oak Bourbon in the Oak Series, which showcases Dixon’s blending process involving additional oak exposure. The release was announced on June 1, 2026, from Louisville, KY.
The announcement that 2XO’s White Oak Rye will ship to 40 states signals operators to rethink how they position mid‑premium rye on shelves and menus. With straight‑rye sales up 4.2 % last year, distributors are watching this expansion closely.
White Oak Rye is priced at $49.99 for a 750 ml bottle, placing it squarely in the U.S. mid‑premium range of $45–$55. The brand competes directly with established names such as Bulleit and Rittenhouse rather than targeting low‑end disruption.
Straight‑rye volume grew 4.2 % in 2023—more than double overall spirits growth of 2.1 %—and on‑premise cocktail sales are rising 12 % year over year, driven by craft cocktail culture. The 40‑state rollout lets distributors tap this upward trend without the logistics of a full‑nation launch; inventory turnover stays manageable while customers gain a fresh premium option.
The product’s provenance matters for supply‑chain planning. 2XO is based in Louisville, Kentucky—a region that accounts for roughly 65 % of U.S. rye production according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. That geographic advantage translates into tighter control over sourcing and bottling, reducing lead times amid grain‑price swings.
The “double‑oak” process layers charred American white oak during maturation; it does not alter finished weight or volume but delivers a distinct flavor profile that can set the product apart in a crowded category.
From a distribution standpoint, Prestige Beverage Group—reported at $450 million annual revenue across the Midwest and Southeast—provides a solid regional platform for 2XO to scale. The partnership means retailers and on‑premise operators already working with Prestige can onboard White Oak Rye without negotiating new contracts or securing additional shelf space beyond what is typical for a mid‑premium 750 ml bottle.
For bars, the rye’s high mash bill—95 % rye—and its double‑oak maturation lend themselves well to cocktail recipes that highlight spice and oak nuances. These attributes can be leveraged in menu engineering to justify a higher price point.
In practice, distributors should monitor shelf‑space allocation for mid‑premium rye as they integrate White Oak Rye into their product mix. Retailers need to slot it alongside other $45–$55 offerings, ensuring the brand’s unique flavor profile is highlighted through in‑store displays or digital promotions. On‑premise managers can use the rye’s distinct character to craft signature cocktails—perhaps a twist on the classic Rye Sour—or feature it as part of a “premium rye” tasting flight that showcases 2XO’s double‑oak process.
The rollout positions trade to meet growing demand in a segment outpacing broader category growth. Operators who align inventory, shelf positioning, and cocktail programming with White Oak Rye’s mid‑premium profile stand to benefit from the continued rise of straight‑rye sales in the United States.
Original Press Release
Louisville, KY – June 1, 2026 – 2XO Whiskey and renowned American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman are proud to announce the national expansion of White Oak Rye (SRP $49.99/750ml), now available in 40 states. White Oak Rye (93 rating from Wine Enthusiast) joins award-winning bourbons American Oak and French Oak in the Oak Series, a trio of whiskeys showcasing Dixon’s pioneering blending process in which every 2XO expression undergoes additional oak exposure.
Dixon is well known for his rye blending prowess, receiving high accolades and ratings for previous ryes blended for Kentucky Owl, a brand started by his great-great grandfather and relaunched by Dixon in 2014. 2XO White Oak Rye features a bold 95% rye mash bill, elevated through Dixon’s proprietary double-oak technique where he introduces additional charred American white oak to straight rye barrels, intensifying the maturation process.
“After releasing American Oak and French Oak bourbons, rye was the next natural addition to our ongoing Oak Series,” says Dixon. “I’ve always enjoyed working with a high rye mash bill, and with White Oak Rye, that signature pepper comes through, along with sweeter notes from the double oak exposure during maturation.”
White Oak Rye joins American Oak Bourbon (97 points and Double Gold Medal winner from the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition) and French Oak Bourbon (94 points and Gold Medal winner from the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition) in the Oak Series, a collection of everyday offerings where Dixon matches the profile of each batch for consistent taste and character. White Oak Rye features notes of pine, mint, cedar, and peppery spice, balanced with sweeter barrel notes from the additional charred white oak introduced toward the end of maturation. It’s best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite cocktail.
All 2XO whiskeys are crafted in partnership with Prestige Beverage Group, an industry-leading importer and brand innovator of award-winning wine and spirits. Together, Dixon and Prestige Beverage Group aim to offer the most unique, sought-after whiskey blends available to spirits enthusiasts everywhere. Learn more about 2XO at @2xowhiskey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was created by renowned 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 Dixon’s pioneering blending process in which every 2XO expression undergoes additional oak exposure. The additional oak interaction builds the sweetness and balances the spice derived from the rye-forward mash bills, creating a unique combination of intense flavors, character, and complexity with each expression.
The 2XO brand consists of an everyday blend offering (Oak Series), a series of limited-time, small-batch blend offerings (Icon Series), and a series of single-barrel releases (Gem of Kentucky). Dixon’s blends have garnered awards and recognition, earning their place among the finest American whiskeys in recent memory. He has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Robb Report, Esquire, Food and Wine, Playboy, Maxim, Garden & Gun, Whisky Advocate, and more.
Sources consulted (web research):
- 2xo White Oak Rye Expands Nationally
- 2xo Whiskey Releases White Oak Rye To Oak Series
- 2xo Whiskey Launches White Oak Rye Renowned Blender Dixon Dedmans Fir…
- 2xo White Oak Rye Expands Nationally
Source: BevNET