Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Double Double Oaked 2019

Compared with their standard and double oaked versions at the distillery. The characteristic high-rye profile of WR is evident throughout. The original double oaked had the most pronounced nose, while the double double had the least. The color deepened from the standard WR to this, shifting towards a darker honey, with the double double exhibiting an almost red-honey hue. If WR is akin to rye bread, apples, peaches, cut grass, and pepper with a hint of leather, then the double oaked is like butterscotch, rye roll, cinnamon, toasted almonds, and a touch of charred oak. This double double version features their standard mashbill aged for 5-8 years, followed by an additional 2 years in a new, heavily toasted (40min), lightly charred new oak barrel, instead of the usual 8-12 months. From the initial mash to the final output from copper still #3, it maintains a proof of 158, then diluted to 110 for barreling. Again, the only distinction between the standard double oaked and this double double offering is an extra year in the second, newly toasted barrel. The nose is once again subdued, featuring a rye bread foundation, less butterscotch, and a whiff of herbal tea. It strongly resembles Willett in that regard. The palate is rich with oak, dusty nutmeg, marzipan, tobacco, and a smooth finish of rye, butterscotch, and cherry. Fantastic, though I do wish the finish were longer and the mouthfeel more substantial, as others have noted. At $50 for a 375ml bottle, it's pricey, but comparable in cost to a Willett product with a similar profile. It's significantly superior to their standard offering and will surely satisfy anyone who enjoys their double oak. Admittedly, I purchased two... perhaps I'll exercise more restraint next year?

Nose: Butterscotch candies with cinnamon sugar, toasted almonds, caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and earthy oak. Palate: Arrives woody and carameled. Vanilla, leather, and spice notes derived from the rye (cinnamon, nutmeg, caraway, fennel) emerge as it develops, followed by dried cherries and almonds. The texture is rich, with an interesting interplay of tannins and oils, but it's not bitter and has good substance. Finish: Medium/short. Spicy, sweet woody notes, slightly gripping but not harsh or overly hot. I found this bourbon to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated. It possesses complexity, unfolding in stages without an overemphasized woodiness. In fact, it's more refined and subtle than the WR Double Oaked expression. It almost seems like a more potent version of the entry-level Reserve Bourbon. Very pleasing, excellent neat, and it also benefits from a little water, revealing more sweetness. This is likely my preferred expression among the distillery's 90.4 proof offerings. It's not commonly found in Australia and was presented as a special tasting at the Whisky Show. Tasted at the Sydney Whisky Show, May 15, 2021, my tasting #15 'Good': 84/100 (3.75 stars)

I'd long wanted to try this special edition, as the standard version was an early favorite. Nose: brown sugar galore, very sweet, marzipan, cherry, and perhaps brownie batter? Mouthfeel: warm, syrupy, sweet, with oaky tannins. Suddenly, savory smoked meat notes appeared – like rendered pork fat fresh from the smoker. Finish: smooth, no harshness, very sweet. I'm attributing those unexpected savory notes to the woodiness from the extra time in the second toasted barrel. This was fun, let's go again!

Did you know that the renowned Woodford Reserve has a whiskey named Double Double Oak? Let me describe its characteristics: On the nose, I detect sophisticated, woody red fruits. Hay notes, strawberry juice, citrus peels, and coffee beans. Very fruity and fresh. Abundant chocolate; powdery chocolate. On the palate, I experience strawberry jam, strawberry juice, and a metallic quality. Spicy pepper. It's truly excellent! Powdery chocolate. The aftertaste features a pleasant bite, a hint of cereal, chocolate, and tobacco. It's like chocolate combined with burnt grass and cigars. Red fruits are present. Overall, I awarded the balance a perfect score, even though I felt the nose, palate, and aftertaste weren't perfect (though very good). The balance, the overall impression, was incredible. My rating for this magnificent spirit is 94 out of 100.

Aroma: rich caramel, with surprisingly little oak. Palate: The 90 proof makes it very mild and smooth. It has a somewhat oily and rich texture. Flavor: While the nose lacks oak, the palate immediately delivers it. Oak then gives way to more rich caramel, akin to Werther's candies. Finish: moderate, with a lingering oak taste. The finish also reveals notes of vanilla and butterscotch. Score: 4.25 out of 5. The aroma is incredible, the taste is great, but the mouthfeel is lacking. It would be better if it were creamier or more oily. I would still pay the retail price of $50 for the 375ml bottle.

The scent offered candied almonds, aged oak, caramel, vanilla, and strawberry jam. The palate delivered a rush of aged oak, cherries, caramel, and bitter almonds. It concluded with a medium, drying finish featuring notes of oak, caramel, and sweet fruits. This was a pleasant surprise. I anticipated an overwhelming oak presence, but it's wonderfully balanced. The nose is lovely and sweet, with distinct strawberry jam and almond flavors. The palate features significant oak with deep cherry and caramel notes. While the finish could be longer, this spirit is excellent.