Distilled By: Woodford Reserve Distillery
Location: Versailles, KY
Parent Company: Brown-Forman Distillers Company
Class: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 90.4 (45.2% ABV)
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Woodford Reserve describes this expression as: “An innovative approach to twice-barreled bourbon creates the rich and colorful flavor of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels – the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring – extracts additional amounts of soft, sweet oak character.” This bourbon was first released in February 2012, a full 15 years after the release of the original Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select.
BSG REVIEW:
Color: Dark Copper
Nose: Toasted marshmallows, vanilla, maple syrup, sweet corn, oak
Palate: Vanilla and oak, dried fruits like apples and cherries, a hint of leather on the back end.
Finish: A mild amount of heat, oak, tobacco and leather at first, then giving way to a peppery ending for this long, lingering finish.
My overall thoughts on this one are, first, the color is so much more deep and rich than the original Distiller’s Select. It is much more intense on the nose and in the flavors as well. On a side note, this bourbon goes great with a backyard BBQ that includes smoked meats. Every time I drink this, my mind goes straight to wanting some brisket burnt ends! I definitely prefer this one over the Jim Beam Double Oak offering. This is quickly becoming one of my go-to comfort bourbons now. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a great bourbon to enjoy neat and even holds up very well with an ice ball on a hot day! I can see myself always keeping a bottle in my personal collection.
BSG Score: 93/100
