Nestled amid the rolling hills of bluegrass and thoroughbred farms sits the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery.

One of Kentucky’s oldest and smallest distilleries, the present day Woodford Reserve Distillery is built on history, sitting on Kentucky’s oldest distilling site where Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey in 1812. It was on these same hallowed grounds that years later Master Distiller James Christopher Crow perfected his whiskey-making methods, which today have become common practice, including the implementation of sour mash into fermentation.

The Distillery is home to a 500-foot-long gravity-fed barrel run, iconic copper pot stills, and 100-year-old cypress wood fermenters. “We also boast one of the only heat cycled barrelhouses in the world, ensuring every drop seeps into the charred and toasted white oak, giving Woodford Reserve its color and signature flavor.”

Today, I’m having a closer look at the “Double Oaked” expression: An interesting twist on Woodford Reserve‘s classic straight bourbon. The whiskey is first matured in new charred white oak barrels, as usual, but before bottling is transferred to special heavily toasted, lightly charred finishing barrel. It is then bottled at 43.2% ABV.

 

Nose: The Bourbon Holy Trinity is definitely here: Wood, Vanilla & Caramel. A sweet and heartwarming nose with brown sugar, molasses, pecan pie, caramel syrup and honey-glazed popcorns. It’s probably the first time I’ve said that around here, but this dram makes me feel like going to the cinema to watch some sort of Rom-Com starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence… Yeap, this expression is definitely a movie dram! I could already picture myself all wrapped up in a blanket on my couch with some Autumnal-scented candles around… #NoWorriesImOkay

Palate: Hey honey! This is quite bourbon-y around here… #NoShitSherlock. Burnt caramel, roasted pecan nuts, oak spices, dried fruits… The difference between this “double oaked” expression and your standard Woodford Reserve really shows on the palate. Of course, this is definitely what you would expect of a bourbon BUT with just the right twist and added depth that makes it turn from your everyday-whiskey to something interesting to sip and add to your whisk(e)y cabinet! Still remaining a perfect beginner whiskey as well for those that may be willing to get started on their bourbon discovery journey.

Finish: Medium with charred wood and spices.

Pssst! Find the Recipe Here!