Woodford Reserve Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked offers a layered, oak-driven bourbon that marries big, dessert-like flavors—vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, and spice—with a refined and smooth profile. Its unique two-barrel aging amplifies sweet oak richness without sacrificing balance. Perfect for those who enjoy a sweeter, fuller-bodied bourbon without resorting to higher proof. Ideal neat, in classic bourbon cocktails, or as a warming winter sipper.

🏺 Origins & Aging

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked starts as the standard Distiller’s Select (a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley) aged in a new charred oak barrel. It then undergoes secondary maturation in a second barrel that is deeply toasted for 40 minutes and lightly charred—creating a double‑oaked character heavy on oak sweetness and spice. Bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV). 

👃 Aroma (Nose)

The nose is intensely aromatic—think dark fruit (blackberry, cherry), rich vanilla, caramel, toasted marshmallow, honey, chocolate, marzipan, and roasted nuts. Some pick up hints of banana and mocha-laced crème brûlée. 

👅 Palate & Texture

On the palate, expect bold baking-spice flavors—cinnamon and warm oak—leading into layers of dark berries, chocolate‑covered cherries, roasted nuts, caramel, and vanilla bean ice cream. The malted barley and oak backbone remain prominent, tempered by moderate viscosity. 

Reddit reviewers describe it well:

“Maple syrup and milk chocolate fade nicely into salted caramel, toasted marshmallow, allspice and nutmeg, all wrapped together in lasting sweet oak presence. Thick and oily mouthfeel.” 

🔁 Finish

The finish is moderately long, smooth, and leaves lingering oak sweetness, leather, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and honeyed fruit. There’s very minimal harshness despite the oak intensity. 

⭐ Profile Highlights

• Double-barrel aging delivers deep oak richness with dessert-style sweetness.

• Despite the 90-proof, it drinks fuller and warmer thanks to secondary oak influence.

• Often praised as a “dessert in a glass,” with flavor notes reminiscent of chocolate, marshmallow, caramel, and fruit. 

🍸 Best Enjoyed

• Ideal neat in a Glencairn or Old Fashioned glass. A few drops of water can open up deeper notes.

• A go‑to bourbon for winter cocktails—particularly rich Hot Toddies that benefit from its caramel, fig, and spice richness. Wide endorsement: “Bourbon also works in a Hot Toddy; Great Jones and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked add rich spice and baking flavors.” 

💡 Reception & Value

• Received 90 points from Whisky Advocate, considered a polished crowd‑pleaser. 

• Frequently compared to Old Forester 1910 as a top-tier double-oaked bourbon.

• Positioned as a forgiving, flavorful bourbon.

"Cherry, vanilla, sweet spice with even more sumptuous notes of treacle, shoofly pie, and charred oak. Oaky and semi-sweet on the palate, fruit and brown sugar is bolstered by exotic spice and coconut." 95 Points, Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation  2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge

"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 amounts of soft, sweet oak character. Rich notes of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak appear on the nose. The palate is a full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices."

2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition: Double Gold Medal