Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year. Brown-Forman first introduced the Woodford brand in 1996 and it has continued to grow to be one of the best-selling super-premium bourbon whiskeys in the world.
One of the facts that makes Woodford whiskey unique is that it is made from a combination of pot distilled and column distilled whiskey. The pot distilled whiskey is made at the historic Labrot & Graham Distillery in Versailles. Distillation at this site along the Grassy Springs Branch of Glenn’s Creek can be traced back to about 1812 by Elijah Pepper. The column distilled whiskey is made about 65 miles to the west at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Louisville.
Watch our exclusive launch day video with Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall to hear what makes the new Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye whiskey unique and discover her favorite cocktail made with this new release (full cocktail recipe below).
As a part of the brand’s anniversary celebration, they are extending their Double Oaked Bourbon line with a new Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye Whiskey line. Woodford Double Oaked products follow the same production process. They take fully matured Woodford Reserve Bourbon or in this case Woodford Reserve Rye whiskey and move it into a new second barrel for another round of flavor enhancement. The first barrel is a typically light toast and a heavy char while the second barrel kind of flips the process with a 30 minute heavy toast and a light 5–10 second flash char. The fully matured Woodford is then aged for an additional 6 to 12 months extracting additional flavors from the wood. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall says the average time spent in the second barrel is about eight months.
Related Story — Woodford Reserve Revives Historic 1812 Elijah Pepper Home for Private Barrel Selects – See Exclusive Before & After Photos
The Woodford Reserve Rye whiskey is made with 53% rye, 33% corn, and 14% malted barley mash bill. It is then matured for 5-7 years in a new charred oak barrel in a heat cycled warehouse. When it comes time for bottling, the pot distilled and the column distilled whiskey is blended together. According to McCall, there is no strict percentage blend between the two production styles. The percentages can vary based on the targeted taste profile.
Woodford says this new expression represents a bold advancement, bringing the double barreling process to rye whiskey. It will be a permanent member of the Woodford Reserve family of brands, available across the nation.
“Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye is where Rye meets the richness of Double Oaked,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. “We are bringing that same meticulous attention to barrel finishing that defined our bourbon over to the rye category, creating an unexpected, complex, and incredibly flavorful whiskey.”
Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey Tasting Notes & Product Specifications
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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye presents a rich mahogany color and has flavors of roasted espresso, caramel, lemon custard, and candied pecan.
- Mash Bill: 53% Rye, 33% Corn, and 14% Malted Barley
- Maturation No. 1: Aged 5-7 Years in a Lightly Toasted and Heavily Charred New Oak Barrel
- Maturation No. 2: Aged 6-12 Months in a Heavily Toasted, about 30 seconds, and Lightly Charred, 5–10 second Flash Charred New Oak Barrel
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (Finished in a Second New Oak Barrel)
- Price: $54.99
- Available: Nationally where Woodford is sold, at Woodford Reserve Distillery, and online.
How to Make a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye Manhattan Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye Whiskey
- 2/3 oz. Cocchi sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes Aromatic bitters
- 2 dashes Orange bitters
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a mixing tumbler with ice and stir. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.
Woodford Reserve Whiskey is crafted at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, tucked in the heart of thoroughbred country in Versailles, Kentucky. A National Historic Landmark, the Woodford Reserve Distillery represents craftsmanship with a balance of historic heritage and modern practices. Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation, a premier producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands including Jack Daniel’s, Tequila Herradura, Old Forester, and Chambord.
Learn more about Woodford Reserve Distillery.
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