‘Created by Happenstance’: A Fateful Barrel Switcharoo at Woodford Reserve Leads to Rare Bourbon
Woodford Reserve unveiled its Toasted Bourbon expression — a happy accident from a barrel mixup at the distillery.
Woodford Reserve announced on Tuesday the release of a one-off whiskey within the brand’s Distillery Series — Toasted Bourbon. The bourbon hosts a suggested retail price of $64.99 per 375-milliliter bottle. It will be available at select retailers in Kentucky.
The bourbon brand shared that the bourbon was “created by happenstance” when the toasted barrels Woodford Reserve typically uses for its Double Oaked Bourbon were brought to the distillery by accident and filled with new-make bourbon distillate.
These barrels are typically filled with bourbon that has already been aged in oak barrels, rather than new make (unaged) distillate.
“Toasted bourbon resulted in a delicious whiskey that blends the flavor profile of both Woodford Reserve’s Bourbon and Double Oaked,” Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said in a news release. “After more than six years of patiently waiting, we’re thrilled to share this one-of-a-kind bourbon with our fans.”
Woodford said that after 18 barrels had been filled, the team noticed the barrels were incorrect, but McCall wanted to monitor the barrels to see how they matured. The barrels spent their time resting for over six years in Woodford Reserve’s Warehouse C.
Woodford’s Double Oaked barrels are heavily toasted and lightly charred. They differ from the standard bourbon barrels that are lightly toasted and heavily charred.
In January, Woodford Reserve unveiled its Double Double Oaked Bourbon, which the brand referred to as one of its “most treasured and exclusive” releases.
For the brand’s Double Double Oaked Bourbon, Woodford finishes its Double Oaked bourbon in an additional lightly charred new oak barrel.
Woodford Reserve Toasted Bourbon Tasting Notes Via the Brand
Nose: Cinnamon graham cracker, dark cherry, cooked banana and nutmeg.
Taste: Brown sugar cinnamon, raw honey and baking spice with toasted oak.
Finish: Warm baking spices with citrus.
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