Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whiskey is a distinctive and premium offering from the Woodford Reserve brand, known for its commitment to producing small-batch, handcrafted whiskeys. The Double Oaked variation offers a unique experience with its double-barrel aging process, which creates a richer, more complex flavor profile compared to the regular Woodford Reserve bourbon.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Whiskey

• Distillery: The Woodford Reserve Distillery is located in Versailles, Kentucky and is renowned for producing premium small-batch whiskeys. The distillery uses a unique approach to crafting its spirits, combining traditional methods with innovations to produce high-quality whiskey.

• Mash Bill: Like the regular Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon, the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked follows a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. This mash bill provides the foundation for the whiskey’s smooth sweetness, spicy rye character, and complex malty undertones.

• Aging Process: What sets Woodford Reserve Double Oaked apart is the two-step aging process:

  1. The whiskey is first aged in new, charred American oak barrels, which gives it its base of vanilla, caramel, and oak flavours.
  2. After the initial aging, it is then transferred to second barrels that have been toasted, not charred. These second barrels impart additional richness, with deep vanilla, spice, and dark fruit flavours, enhancing the overall complexity of the whiskey.

• ABV: 43.2% ABV (86.4 proof), the same as the Woodford Reserve Holiday Edition, providing a balance of smoothness and intensity. The 43.2% ABV allows the whiskey to retain complexity without being overpowering.

Flavour Profile

• Nose: The Woodford Reserve Double Oaked opens with aromas of rich vanilla, caramel, and a subtle toasted oak. There’s a noticeable depth of spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, mingling with dark fruit notes like raisins and figs, which come from the second aging process in toasted barrels.

• Taste: On the palate, the Double Oaked whiskey is smooth and velvety with layers of rich caramel, butterscotch, and honeyed sweetness. The second round of aging imparts a deeper spice and oak character, balanced by notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. There is a delightful fruitiness, with dried fruit flavours like cherry and fig complementing the overall profile.

• Finish: The finish is long and warm, with lingering notes of vanilla, toffee, and a touch of oak and spice. The finish is smooth but rich, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of dark chocolate and spices.

Why It’s Special

• Double Oak Aging: The second aging process in toasted barrels gives Woodford Reserve Double Oaked its unique character. This additional step creates a more complex and rich flavour profile, with enhanced vanilla, spice, and fruit elements.

• Deep Flavour Profile: The double aging provides a fuller, more rounded taste compared to standard bourbons. The combination of vanilla, caramel, and spice makes this whiskey incredibly smooth, while the additional oak and fruit notes add layers of complexity, making it an enjoyable sipping whiskey.

• Sipping Whiskey: Because of its smoothness and complexity, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a great whiskey for sipping neat or on the rocks. It has enough depth to enjoy slowly, but it also works well in cocktails that benefit from a richer, more intense bourbon flavour.