Review: World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Bourbon 8 Years Old Oloroso Sherry and 2 Years Old

Founded in 2004 as Aiko Importers, the company set its sights on a new frontier in 2023, rebranding as Aiko Brands — a name that better reflects its evolving spirit and expanding portfolio. Among its most recognizable ventures for American whiskey lovers is the World Whiskey Society (WWS), established in 2020.

The World Whiskey Society doesn’t just bottle whiskey — it hunts it down like a bounty on the run. Whether sourcing casks from partner distilleries or creating new expressions through exotic barrel finishes, WWS aims to deliver something truly exceptional to collectors and connoisseurs: a one-of-a-kind sipping experience worthy of legend.

In December 2022, the World Whiskey Society saddled up and rode into new territory with the launch of its Western Collection, headlined by Doc Holliday Straight Bourbon 8 Years Old. This release wasn’t just inspired by the American frontier — it lived it. The legendary John Henry “Doc” Holliday, a Georgia-born dentist turned gunslinger, is best remembered for his deadly aim and loyalty to Wyatt Earp during the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Fittingly, the first Doc Holliday bourbon was distilled in Holliday’s home state, distilled by Ivy Mountain Distillery in Mount Airy, Georgia.

But just like Doc himself, the collection wasn’t meant to stay in one place. Later releases expanded beyond Georgia, roping in bourbons from Kentucky and Indiana, while still staying true to the hard-drinking, sharp-shooting spirit of its namesake. Historical accounts even suggest that Holliday was fond of bourbon — making this partnership feel less like marketing and more like destiny.

The World Whiskey Society, headquartered in Pendergrass, Georgia, recently offered up two new contenders from the Doc Holliday Collection for review by Drinkhacker: Doc Holliday Kentucky Straight Bourbon, aged 8 years and finished in an Oloroso Sherry Cask and a limited-edition decanter release, depicting Doc himself armed and ready, containing bourbon aged at least 2 years.

So what makes the Doc Holliday Collection stand out? Sure, the Old West imagery may draw in lovers of legends and outlaws — but beneath the embossed glass and gunfighting nostalgia, does the whiskey itself have the grit to outdraw the competition?

Time to find out if this whiskey can hold its own in a high-noon showdown.

World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in an Oloroso Sherry Cask 8 Years Old Review

The bourbon market today is saturated with sourced whiskeys originating from a wide range of distilleries. Gone are the days when the phrase “distilled in Kentucky” reliably pointed to just a handful of legacy producers. In the current landscape, identifying a bourbon’s true origin has become increasingly complex — and even knowing the mashbill is no longer a guaranteed clue.

While the major heritage distilleries still lean on their flagship mashbills, the market is now flush with well-aged bourbons made from lesser-known recipes. These non-standard mashbills are often created under contract for brokers or third-party bottlers, never intended to appear under the original distillery’s own labels. One such example is found in this Doc Holliday release, which features a mashbill of 78% corn, 13% rye, and 9% malted barley — a formulation used by multiple Kentucky distilleries, including James B. Beam Distilling and Green River Distilling.

This particular barrel was distilled in Clermont, Kentucky, entered into the barrel at 125 proof, and aged in #3 char new American oak casks. It spent seven years maturing in Kentucky, followed by one year aging in Georgia, staying true to the Doc Holliday brand’s Southern roots. After that, the whiskey was transferred into a single 500-liter Oloroso sherry cask at 110 proof for a final finishing period of one year and three months.

The nose opens with cherry pipe tobacco and a dry, earthy parchment character. Hints of dried fig and a dusting of nutmeg round out an impressively composed aromatic profile. The influence of the Oloroso sherry cask is present, but it doesn’t dominate, allowing the other elements to maintain a pleasing balance. It’s a promising introduction that raises expectations for the palate.

The first sip delivers a surge of Montmorency cherry, with an effervescence that borders on distracting. That initial sensation quickly gives way to a toasted black walnut note that brings a touch of astringency. Moving into the mid-palate, there are touches of nutmeg and raw cacao, adding more interest. As the tasting experience continues, the mouthfeel shifts sharply toward dryness.

The finish carries a spiced character, with black pepper and fresh ginger lingering before giving way to a final note of unsweetened dried apricot. It’s a thoughtful conclusion, though not enough to fully redeem the disjointed start on the palate.

Overall, Doc Holliday with an Oloroso sherry cask finish is enjoyable, particularly on the nose. However, the initial tasting experience is somewhat disrupted by an odd, fizzy cherry quality that feels out of place. At a price point of $130, the shortcomings are harder to overlook—especially when compared to other options in that range. It’s a pour worth trying, perhaps at a bar, but not quite compelling enough to justify bringing home a full bottle. If priced closer to $80, this could have been a far more appealing offering. 108 proof. B / $130

World Whiskey Society Doc Holliday Straight Bourbon 2 Years Old Review

Ornate decanters have long been a part of bourbon’s visual appeal, with roots tracing back to the early days of the industry. But their golden era was undeniably the 1960s through the 1980s — a time when bourbon’s popularity was plummeting among American drinkers. As interest in the liquid itself waned, producers leaned into elaborate packaging, flooding the market with commemorative ceramic decanters in an attempt to capture consumer attention. These decanters often featured kitschy themes and bourbon labeled by the number of months aged, rather than the number of years.

Fast forward to the modern era, and a quick stroll through any antique mall or vintage vendor booth will likely turn up more than a few of these relics, most of which are remembered more for their designs than the whiskey they once held. While most brands left the ceramic decanter trend behind decades ago, Aiko Brands has embraced the nostalgia, including its World Whiskey Society line.

There’s no denying the Doc Holliday decanter grabs the eye: detailed, collectible, and steeped in Wild West imagery. But once the novelty wears off, you’re left with the real question — what’s inside?

The label on the decanter states the bourbon is aged “at least two years,” which won’t move the needle for most serious bourbon drinkers. A bit more digging reveals the whiskey is actually a 117-barrel blend of bourbon aged between 2.9 and 3.5 years. Distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, it uses one of MGP’s less common mashbills: 99% corn and 1% malted barley — a light, nearly mono-grain profile that rarely leads to bold complexity, especially at a young age.

Then there’s the proof: 80. And the price? $99.

For many bourbon enthusiasts, that combination — a young, low-proof whiskey in flashy packaging at a premium price — will raise more red flags than glasses. Sure, the decanter makes a fun display piece, and the Doc Holliday branding taps into a compelling narrative. But the real question is: Does this bottle offer anything beyond shelf appeal?

Right from the start, the nose sets itself apart from other expressions of this mashbill I’ve encountered bottled by non-distilling producers. Where earlier experiences leaned heavily toward sweetness, Doc Holliday introduces a surprisingly assertive combination of lemon essential oil and pine needle. Once the initial burst settles, notes of freshly pressed waffle cones and grilled peaches begin to show. It’s a striking aromatic profile, especially given the expectations I had based on past encounters with this high-corn mashbill.

With the nose already outperforming expectations, the question becomes whether the palate can keep pace. It opens in a similar fashion, leading with bright lemon zest that nearly touches on lemon Italian ice. As the citrus recedes, vanilla pudding follows, bringing a gentler contrast. At midpalate, cinnamon introduces a pleasing spice, soon balanced by a hit of butterscotch for a more rounded sweetness. For a bourbon of this age and proof, the mouthfeel is unexpectedly substantial — an impressive showing for something so youthful.

The finish adds another twist: star anise and salted peanuts mingle before giving way to a final impression of allspice. It’s a sequence that continues the theme of surprise and unexpected character.

To be completely honest, I approached this bourbon with low expectations, largely shaped by past experiences with Westfork Whiskey’s Old Hamer line — Westfork being the largest private holder of barrels from this 99% corn mashbill outside of MGP. Despite Westfork’s entire Hamer brand being built around it, I’d choose this Doc Holliday expression over most of the younger, lower-proof Old Hamer offerings without hesitation.

That said, while this bourbon certainly outperforms its age and proof, it remains a youthful spirit presented in an ornate decanter — and priced at $99. At that price point, the value just isn’t there. However, if the same whiskey were bottled more plainly and offered at $30 or less, it would represent a solid and worthwhile purchase. As it stands, it’s certainly more of a decorative shelf piece than a repeat buy. 80 proof. B / $99

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