Woodinville Straight Bourbon Toasted Applewood Staves Finish

Straight Cuts & Straight Bourbon Review Bottle: Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Toasted Applewood Finish Proof: 100 Setting: My first pour after a full day working—tools put away, workbench cleared, and plans for the next dust collection system sketched out. Texas dusk settling in, this pour marked the end of the day. Nose: Soft and inviting. Notes of caramel and vanilla appear first, followed by baked apple and cinnamon bark—like walking past a pie cooling on a windowsill in a pine cabin. The applewood finish makes its presence known without being overpowering. Palate: This drinks lighter than expected for its proof. It enters smoothly with a hint of sweetness, like apple butter or lightly spiced honey. I typically prefer deeper oak or toasted grain notes, but this has a quiet balance—sophisticated without being boring. Like a perfectly fitted dovetail joint, it shows subtle craftsmanship. Finish: Moderately long, fading with hints of clove, cocoa, and apple peel. It leaves the palate feeling clean, like a hand-sanded edge—no burn, just enough warmth to encourage another sip. Craftsman’s Verdict: As someone drawn to bolder bourbons with structure, this one was a surprise. It's not a forceful swing of a mallet—it's a precise, clean, and deliberate cut. I wouldn't hesitate to pour it again after a long day in the woodshop, especially during cooler months when a touch of warmth and familiarity is welcome.

Sampled straight. Deep amber hue with moderate viscosity in the glass. Aromas are rich with floral vanilla oak, bright caramel, sugary apple, and malt. On the palate, vanilla oak and zesty apple mingle with chocolate caramel and a hint of herbal spice. It coats the tongue, offering mild tannic dryness and a subtle ethanol kick. The conclusion presents a touch of mint and pepper effervescence enveloped by gentle fruity sweetness. It develops a slightly "sweet and sour" character with a prolonged aftertaste. Quite enjoyable. Adding an ice cube mutes this a bit, possibly excessively, reducing the oak and spicy finish while accentuating the tartness. I generally appreciate the whiskies from this distillery, especially the port-finished cask strength bourbon. Their rye is decent as well. I'm drawn to their narrative and focus on origin. This demonstrates some creative toasted stave finishing, notably with applewood. It's a positive enhancement to their offerings. However, the $100 cost is considerable. That's unfortunate because it's a pleasant spirit, but... premium price point??? Lastly, over time, I've grown less fond of their distinctive bulky bottles--they stack well but are cumbersome to hold and pour. I'll consider buying this again as the level decreases if I feel it justifies the expense.

A selection from Duke’s Seafood Nose: Caramel drizzled apple blossoms, doughiness, brown butter, oats, vanilla, brown sugar, oak, and a Twinkie-like aroma similar to Woodinville bourbon. An excellent nose! Palate: Caramel drizzled apple blossom with a good scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, cinnamon sugar, toasted barrel spice, and a hint of chocolate. This is a delightful treat. Autumn in a glass!

The aroma is initially pleasant with smoky, slightly sweet, and fruity scents. The toasted, sweet apple flavor comes through nicely without overpowering the vanilla and caramel notes in the Bourbon. It has a remarkably smooth, clean taste with a pleasing toasted fruit finish. Ideal for a cool autumn evening outdoors.

Reminds me of licking the inside of a barrel. Intense wood flavor, powerful and enjoyable. Classic Woodinville bourbon notes are present underneath, but they just complement the main event. Medium richness, I would have liked a little more.

Curiously, the applewood finish primarily makes this taste like sweet and sour cherry pie (the toasted staves even impart a buttery crust flavor!). If that's what you're seeking, this is the ideal pour. Otherwise, it's good but not exceptional.