J. Mattingly The Test Platoon Bourbon 750ML

J. Mattingly The Test Platoon Bourbon 750ML is a 6-year-old, barrel-proof Kentucky bourbon bottled at 58% ABV (116 proof) in a 750ml bottle. What sets this expression apart is its double-staving process, where additional charred oak staves are introduced into each barrel during aging, dramatically increasing wood contact and flavor extraction beyond what standard barrel maturation achieves.

Quick Facts: ABV: 58% (116 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 6 Years  |  Distillery: Green River Distilling Co.

Production & Heritage

The Test Platoon is distilled at Green River Distilling Co. in Kentucky, one of the state's historic distilling operations. The bourbon uses a grain-forward mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, then undergoes a proprietary double-staving process. During maturation, extra charred American oak staves are placed inside each barrel, increasing the surface area of spirit-to-wood contact and coaxing deeper layers of oak character, caramel complexity, and spice from the wood. The result is a small-batch bourbon that drinks richer and more oak-driven than its six-year age statement might suggest, all presented at full barrel proof without chill filtration or dilution.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel and vanilla cream lead the nose, followed by waves of cocoa and toasted oak. A faint nutty edge lingers underneath, adding depth and keeping the aromatics from feeling one-dimensional.

Taste: The entry is decidedly sweet — caramel and vanilla cream wash over the palate before charred oak and cocoa assert themselves at the mid-palate. Mixed nuts, clove, and allspice emerge as the bourbon develops, layering baking spice over the sweeter foundation. Despite its 116-proof strength, the mouthfeel remains medium-bodied and surprisingly balanced.

Finish: Warming and persistent, the finish carries oak spice and cocoa-dusted sweetness through a long, gradual close. Charred wood and a whisper of vanilla linger well after the final sip.

How to Drink The Test Platoon

At 116 proof, The Test Platoon rewards patience — start it neat, then add a few drops of water to open up the cocoa and vanilla layers hiding behind the barrel strength heat. For those who prefer cocktails, the high proof and oak-heavy profile make it a workhorse in spirit-forward drinks. An Old Fashioned plays beautifully off the caramel and baking spice, allowing the double-staved oak character to shine through sugar and bitters. A Boulevardier pairs the bourbon's cocoa notes with Campari's bitterness for a rich, complex sipper. A Gold Rush (bourbon, honey syrup, lemon) lets the vanilla sweetness harmonize with bright citrus while the proof keeps the cocktail from thinning out.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring barrel-proof expressions with unique wood-finishing techniques
• Gifting a whiskey collector who values small-batch, high-proof releases
• Side-by-side tastings comparing standard-barrel versus stave-finished bourbons
• Building spirit-forward cocktails that demand a bourbon with backbone and oak depth

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Test Platoon taste like? The Test Platoon delivers a rich, oak-leaning profile with sweet caramel and vanilla cream up front, followed by charred oak, cocoa, mixed nuts, and warm baking spice. Despite its barrel-proof strength, it maintains a medium-bodied balance that doesn't overwhelm.

How does The Test Platoon compare to Knob Creek Single Barrel? Both are high-proof Kentucky bourbons, but The Test Platoon's double-staving process gives it noticeably more oak influence and cocoa depth than Knob Creek Single Barrel's more straightforward caramel-and-grain character. The Test Platoon also uses a slightly higher corn percentage (78% vs. 75%) and carries a six-year age statement versus Knob Creek Single Barrel's nine years.

Is The Test Platoon good for sipping neat? Yes — barrel-proof bourbon drinkers will find The Test Platoon well-balanced enough to sip neat, though a splash of water helps unlock additional sweetness and soften the 116-proof heat for a more approachable experience.

Where is The Test Platoon made? The Test Platoon is distilled at Green River Distilling Co. in Kentucky and aged for six years with additional charred oak staves inside each barrel as part of J. Mattingly's proprietary double-staving process.

What foods pair well with The Test Platoon? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the charred oak notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and vanilla layers; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the caramel sweetness; pecan pie mirrors the nutty undertones; and charcuterie with honey drizzle bridges the sweet-and-spice balance.

What sizes does The Test Platoon come in? The Test Platoon is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is The Test Platoon worth the price? The Test Platoon positions as a premium small-batch bourbon, and its barrel-proof bottling, six-year age statement, and labor-intensive double-staving process place it in competitive territory among craft barrel-proof expressions that typically command a higher price than standard-proof offerings.

Why The Test Platoon?

The double-staving technique is the defining story here — it's not simply a barrel-finished bourbon, but one that spends its entire maturation with significantly more charred oak surface area than a conventional barrel provides. That additional wood contact at barrel proof produces a bourbon that punches above its six-year age in terms of oak complexity, cocoa richness, and spice development. For drinkers who gravitate toward barrel-proof releases but want something beyond standard warehouse picks, The Test Platoon delivers a genuinely differentiated production approach in a crowded Kentucky bourbon landscape.