Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

The Basics: 

Woodford Reserve Distillery

Lazy Day Liquors Barrel Pick

90.4 Proof

NAS

$55 MSRP

Nose:

Raisins, molasses, nutmeg, Luxardo cherries, butter pecan ice cream, and oak.

Palate: 

Cherry pie filling, cinnamon, maple syrup candies, dark chocolate, and vanilla buttercream frosting.

Finish:

Medium finish with black cherry cola, maple syrup, and cocoa powder.

Final Thoughts:

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon is the standard Woodford bourbon offering aged for up to an additional year in a second new charred oak barrel. The second barrel imparts an additional layer of flavor to the whiskey from the freshly charred oak, including cinnamon spice, smoke, and chocolate. This specific barrel was selected by Lazy Day Liquors in South Carolina (their first pick ever!). On the nose, you can instantly recognize the impact of the second barrel as the notes are much darker than what you would find in Woodford Reserve. Boozy raisins, molasses, and Luxardo cherries jump out of the glass, followed by intense cherry pie filling and buttercream frosting on the palate. The finish doesn’t linger very long, but continues with similar notes of maple syrup and cherries. Overall, if you are the kind of person that loves the rich cherry notes found in most Woodford and Old Forester products, you will not be disappointed with this bottle. The cherry note is certainly the dominant flavor throughout, and is further intensified with the rich maple sweetness coming off of the second barrel. While I wish the proof was higher in order to cut through some of that sweetness, this does make an enjoyable after-dinner dessert pour.