Continuing with the cracking of unopened bottles, today we'll do a classic North American faceoff: Canada vs the US. Representing Canada: Wayne Gretzky Maple Cask & JP Wiser's 15 year rye Representing USA: Maker's Mark no. 46 & Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Finishing things off: Woodford Reserve D.O Nose: Double bubblegum, cherries, and milk chocolate. Not at all what I expected but makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. Palate: Rich and chocolatey, stone fruits, marachino cherries and a bit of sweet cigar tobacco. This is the closest thing to adult candy I've ever experienced. Finish: Medium length, with warming spices and cinnamon. The fruity/candy notes take a back seat to the absolute oak bomb that you're left with. It's everything I love about classic WR on steroids and chewing bubblegum. Still think I prefer their Rye over this one, but I sure won't kick it out of bed. 4/5 Final results: US edges Canada by a score of 8.5 to 8. Honestly closer than I thought it would be! 1. Maker's Mark no. 46 French Oaked 4.5/5 2. JP Wiser's 15 year rye 4.25/5 3. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4/5 4. Wayne Gretzky Maple Cask finish 3.75/5 It was a hard fought battle for the Canucks but they couldn't quite beat the might of the American oak. Until next time folks.
About this bottle
Woodford Reserve is known for aging their bourbon in heavily charred oak barrels, which give the whiskey a distinctive, deep, rich flavor and feel. Double Oaked is the same bourbon, given a second maturation, or finish, in barrels that have been toasted twice as long, but charred much more lightly than the other casks, for an additional 9 months. A package redesign was introduced in late 2016, featuring a shorter and wider bottle. It is still bottled at 45.2% ABV.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 50 parsed reviews.
A last minute weekend purchase from family. With a few pours under my belt and not much left in the bottle means a proper tasting has to occur. N: A gentle oaken vanilla greets the nose. Slowly opening, slowly creeping out, caramel aromas, worn leather, blended pumpernickel and baking spices; allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Creeping out eventually are small wisps of maraschino cherries. P: Gently spicy on arrival. There are no strong or vibrant flavors. A gentle blend of caramel vanilla, lemon oil, oak, black pepper, maple syrup. Balanced where no one flavor dominates. F: The finish is shorter than desired. Wood spice, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon. Slightly drying on the palate when all fades away. O: A very approachable, inoffensive, enjoyable bourbon. It’s not flashy, but it’s rich and balanced. The vanilla, maple syrup with spices are blended well. Comparable to Buffalo Trace or a less spicy Eagle Rare. Shareable, affordable, enjoyable. [88/100][Tasted: 1/5/25]
Double Oaked - that means two ex-bourbon casks instead of just one, which I approve of as a Scotch drinker. Wood spices in all shapes and forms greet the nose, very sweet and aromatic, interwoven with maple syrup, dark cherries and chamomile. The arrival is led by brown sugar, roasted nuts and molasses, and only the peppery spices hold the sweetness at bay. I notice a spirity undertone, but it is quite tasty. Sugar-coated tannins, marshmallows and mocha fade in the convincing finish. If you have a sweet tooth, you will really enjoy this Woodford Reserve. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked has the most distinctive bourbon nose I've encountered. Banana bread meeting molasses and BBQ sauce, with coffee lurking underneath. It's weird, it's sophisticated, and it's very good. The palate delivers exactly what the nose promises, which is rarer than you'd think.The catch? That 45.2% ABV shows up as thin viscosity, and the finish can turn tannic and watery when you're not expecting it. Inconsistency on the back end keeps this from perfection. But here's the thing: at $60, Woodford Double Oaked punches so far above its weight that the flaws feel forgivable.
Sweet, slight dark chocolate cherry, heavy oaky notes don’t temper the dark fruit flavors. First time i had this it was not something I thought I’d ever buy again, tried again at a party was very surprised by the fantastic flavor for the value. Bought another bottle and it meets expectations, love the heavy mouthfeel, something and probably the biggest thing missing from the double double oaked. 4.15 for the experience, 4.75 for the value
On the nose, sweet and warm banana bread. Fruity as well, with cherry notes and a little maple. Taste is light on the tongue at first but bursts to a rich and warm maple flavor. Banana bread with maple syrup on top is my best approximation with a bit of proof at the end. Very complex, warm and sweet. The oak is nice, not over oaked in my opinion. Very tasty, as someone who doesnt enjoy woodford reserve usually.
44 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
