Woodford Reserve Barrel Finished Select Double Oaked

1. What they say

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 soft, sweet oak character.

https://www.woodfordreserve.com/en-uk/whiskey/double-oaked/

2. Official tasting notes

• NOSE Rich notes of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak.
• TASTE A full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices.
• FINISH Long and creamy with lingering hints of honeyed apple.

3. Details

• ABV 45.2%
• Age NAS
• Bottler OB
• Bottling Double Oaked
• Cask American Oak
• Category Kentucky straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Cost £60
• Origin Woodford Reserve Distillery
• Region Kentucky, USA
• Released 2014

4. What I say

I’m currently enjoying the sweetness of Bourbon and so decided to pick out a couple of examples to try. The first is Woodford Reserve Bourbon double cask matured. Here using a second cask that is heavily toasted and lightly charred. The sweetness of this one really ticked the box for me as it was exactly what I was looking for.

5. The Whiskyphiles tasting notes

• Colour Dark golden brown (16/20) medium-large, slow tears and medium legs.
• Nose Sweet, vanillic, woody oak, toffee, popcorn, spun sugar, rich toffee and caramel, milk chocolate and marzipan.
• Taste Medium-bodied, smooth and sweet, chewy caramels, toffee-coated popcorn, buttery, vanilla, hazelnut, some fruity apple with soft woody spices like cinnamon.
• Finish Long, fruity, woody, honey a touch spirity and fibrous oak wood later.

6. Overall

A very enjoyable and easy-drinking Bourbon expression sweetness somewhat tempered by toasty oak and the flavours it imbues.

7. Score 84/100