The whiskey wash logo
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website
The World's Most-Visited
Whiskey Website

Trending Stories

Search
American

Whiskey Review: Woodford Reserve Toasted Oak Rye

We review Woodford Reserve Toasted Oak Rye whiskey, aged in used bourbon casks and finished in the deeply toasted, lightly charred casks used for Double Oak.

OVERALL RATING

8
  • Katelyn Best, whisky writer & enthusiast.
Like Conversation

Tasting Notes

About:

Bottled at 45.2%. No mash bill or age statement. Aged in used Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels, finished for two years in new toasted and “lightly charr[ed]” oak. Color: Gold-amber
Appearance:
Nose:
Juicy and fruity up front, followed by major spice. Think black cherries in syrup, cranberry sauce with cinnamon, and pears poached in red wine. After a few minutes in the glass, I get a sweeter side: vanilla bean, honey, and shortbread.
Palate:
More fruit at the front of the palate. It’s almost tart, like a thimbleberry. Some toasty grain underlies the fruit. Loads of warm spice at the back of the tongue, then vanilla and a faint whisper of oak on the finish. Solid on the palate.
Finish:
Comments:
I like this rye very much, better even than the other Distillery Series rye expression I reviewed earlier this summer. The reduced influence of oak here lets the character of the rye itself shine through, but with the grain’s fruit and warm spice side, rather than its hot, peppery side, leading. It’s both a rye for people who like rye, and an approachable introduction for newcomers to this style of whiskey.rnrnAs with the other entries in the Distillery Series, this isn’t an easy whiskey to buy, but if you can get your hands on a bottle, it’s definitely worth a try.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Katelyn Best

Katelyn Best, a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, is a regular contributor to The Whiskey Wash. She has a particular passion for exploring the unique and unconventional aspects of the whisky world.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash

The whiskey wash logo