Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon 750ML

Description

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon 750ML is a twice-barreled Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 45.2% ABV (90.4 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This expression earned a Double Gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95 points with an Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation designation at the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge recognition that reflects the depth achieved through its distinctive second-barrel maturation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.2% | Origin: Versailles, Kentucky, USA | Style: Twice-Barreled Bourbon | Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery (Brown-Forman)

Production & Heritage

Woodford Reserve Distillery sits along Glenn’s Creek in Versailles, Kentucky, on a site that has produced whiskey since 1812. Owned by Brown-Forman, the distillery uses copper pot stills alongside column distillation and works from a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. What distinguishes the Double Oaked expression is a second maturation in a new charred oak barrel not a used or wine-finished cask. That second barrel undergoes an extended 40-minute toasting followed by a brief 5-second char, a process that coaxes out deep caramelized sugars and wood-derived sweetness without the aggressive tannin bite of a heavy char. This technique was genuinely novel when Double Oaked first hit the market and remains central to its character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with toasted marshmallow and rich vanilla, followed by waves of dark caramel and honeyed apple. A backdrop of toasted oak and warm baking spice cinnamon especially rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and immediately sweet, with dark fruit and caramel arriving first. Mid-palate brings layers of chocolate-covered cherries, marzipan, and roasted hazelnuts, while warm oak and rye spice build steadily toward a peak of vanilla bean and baking spice complexity. The mouthfeel is notably rich and almost syrupy without becoming cloying.

Finish: Long and creamy, with lingering hints of honeyed apple, dark berries, and toasted oak. The sweetness gradually fades into a gentle warmth, leaving a clean impression of caramel and soft wood tannins.

How to Drink Double Oaked

Neat is the ideal starting point the extended toasting process delivers so much natural sweetness and texture that the bourbon rewards undiluted sipping, though a few drops of water can open up the darker fruit notes. A single large ice cube tempers the richness without flattening the layered oak character. For cocktails, try these three: an Old Fashioned, where the caramel and dark fruit depth means you can go easy on the sugar; a Boulevardier, as the chocolate and baking-spice backbone stands up to Campari’s bitterness; or a Maple Whiskey Sour, where the bourbon’s inherent honeyed sweetness pairs naturally with maple syrup in place of simple syrup.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates barrel-influenced complexity
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert or dark chocolate
• Introducing a Scotch drinker to American whiskey’s richer side
• Building a home bourbon collection with a standout finished expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Oaked taste like? It leads with rich dark caramel, dark fruit, and chocolate, layered over toasted oak and warm baking spices like cinnamon. The finish is long and creamy with honeyed apple and vanilla.

How does Double Oaked compare to Old Forester 1910? Both are twice-barreled bourbons and are frequently cited as the two best-selling double oaked bourbons on the market. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked tends toward richer dark fruit and marzipan sweetness from its deeply toasted second barrel, while Old Forester 1910 leans into chocolate and a slightly drier oak profile from its heat-cycled second barrel process.

Is Double Oaked good for sipping neat? Absolutely the extended toasting of the second barrel produces a naturally sweet, full-bodied bourbon with enough complexity and a smooth enough texture to reward slow, undiluted sipping.

Where is Double Oaked made? It is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, located in the heart of the Bluegrass region along Glenn’s Creek. The distillery is owned and operated by Brown-Forman.

What foods pair well with Double Oaked? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon’s chocolate and marzipan notes. Pecan pie mirrors its caramel sweetness. Smoked pork belly matches the toasted oak richness. Aged Gouda echoes the nutty, caramel undertones. Apple tart with cinnamon aligns with the honeyed apple and baking-spice finish.

What sizes does Double Oaked come in? The standard offering is 750ml, and it is also available in 375ml and 1L formats in select markets.

Is Double Oaked worth the price? Double Oaked positions as a premium expression within the Woodford Reserve lineup, sitting above the standard bourbon but below allocated or limited-edition releases. Given its Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95-point Ultimate Spirits Challenge score, it delivers significant complexity for its price tier.

Why Double Oaked?

The defining differentiator is the second barrel itself a new charred oak barrel toasted for a full 40 minutes with only a 5-second char, a technique that was unique to this product at launch and remains uncommon in the category. That process extracts deep layers of caramelized sugar and toasted wood character without heavy tannin extraction, producing a bourbon that is simultaneously rich and approachable. Competition accolades back up the quality: a Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 95 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 90 points from Whisky Advocate, and Gold medals at the ASCOT Awards in both 2023 and 2024. Among widely available finished bourbons, few expressions deliver this level of barrel-driven complexity at a non-allocated price point.