Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon

I wondered if the Double Double Oaked was worth its $199 suggested retail price, which is often higher depending on your location. I can definitively say it is. So, that's my review. For those interested in less exciting tasting notes, here they are: The aroma is intensely sweet and smoky from the secondary barrel aging. A thick blend of maple syrup and caramel creates a rich scent that's very dessert-like. A cool, mild vanilla bridges the sweetness, and the caramel becomes salted as you detect smoky, charred cherry wood. The initial taste is vanilla, butterscotch, and maple syrup. For being only 90.4 proof, this bourbon has a remarkably thick and satisfying texture. Mid-palate, cherries emerge with a touch of cinnamon and clove, adding a slight tannic bite. Tannins persist into the finish, with cinnamon still prominent alongside black tea. There's also a deep, dark, overripe cherry quality to the finish, which is long and satisfying. Wow! It's still early in the year, and I'm already tasting what might be one of the best of 2025. It's complex and profound. While the standard Double Oaked is usually a very good bourbon, it seems rough and simple in comparison to the Double Double Oaked, which sounds unbelievable to say. Is it truly worth five times the price of the Double Oaked? Absolutely, without a doubt, yes. Get a bottle. Right now.

It's been ages since I've posted. I've been occupied with finding new exciting spirits to review, and this is one of them. I've always enjoyed WR double oaked; it's one of the few I've bought multiple times. So, discovering this at my local store made my eyes light up! The aroma presented a lovely mix of bananas coated in cinnamon, like banana's foster, with a whisper of dried fruit. The first taste delivered a rush of diverse flavors simultaneously with a smooth, warm sensation. I immediately took more sips to discern the complexity. A substantial amount of leather, barrel char, and tobacco eventually emerged on my palate, accompanied by a subtle background of baking spice. I'm nearly at the end of the bottle now (photo taken a month ago) and will make it last. Not just because it was excellent, but due to its price and rarity, making it hard to obtain. If you haven't sampled this, I strongly suggest seeking it out. You will not regret it.

I've been trying to acquire this bottle during Kentucky trips for years without success, so I was delighted when a national release was announced. I found it at Costco for 11% below suggested retail, almost leading me to buy two, but I decided to sample it first, realizing it would now be readily available. A quick swirl reveals an oily texture and long legs. The aroma is pleasant, with notes of prunes, sour cherries, leather, and a nice sweetness. Surprisingly, I detect minimal oak tannins. This lack of oak and tannin is quite noticeable on the palate, perhaps excessively so. Adding ice and swirling vigorously reduces the tannin but doesn't enhance any flavors. In my opinion, it's more over-oaked than double oaked. I prefer the double oaked version at a much lower cost. I'd be very interested in a batch-proof double oaked release; that might justify the full retail price.

Even without the proof, this still presents as a rich vanilla and caramel experience. I detect no faults. The aroma transitions smoothly to the taste. Outstanding!

A good bourbon, but not worth the cost. It's harsher and has more bite than the double oaked version, yet costs 4-6 times more.

Excellent aroma and the flavor is superb. The Double Oaked is great, but this expression offers significantly more complexity. A fantastic pour!