Woodford Reserve’s Latest Is Finished In A Honey Barrel

Woodford Reserve, in celebration of Bourbon Heritage Month, recently released a new limited-edition bottle as part of its annual Distillery Series – Honey Barrel Finish.  As the name states, it is Woodford Reserve Bourbon finished in barrels that once stored honey.

Woodford Reserve Distillery, those behind this bourbon said, loaned some of its freshly-dumped bourbon barrels to a local honey bee farmer in Woodford County, Ky. That farmer then aged his honey in the barrels. The barrels were later returned to Woodford Reserve Distillery where they were refilled with bourbon to create the what’s described as “perfect subtly sweet liquid.”

“One of the best parts of my job is being able to experiment with new ways of making Woodford Reserve,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris in a prepared statement. “It’s been rewarding to work with a honey producer here in Woodford County to create this unique Distillery Series expression and support local business and agriculture.”

Honey Barrel Finish is available in 375ml bottles at 90.4 proof. It is priced at around $60 and has limited availability throughout Kentucky. The Distillery Series it is part of is described as an offering that pushes “Woodford Reserve’s creative boundaries of whiskeys to the extreme.”

Official tasting notes from Woodford Reserve are below.

• Color: Raw Honey.
• Aroma: Floral notes of honeysuckle and lemon peel combine with spicy clove, toasted coconut and honey graham cracker character.
• Flavor: Rich raw honey, bold baking spices softened by toasted oak and coconut maltiness.
• Finish: Long and Toasty.