I’d like to thank Woodinville Whiskey Company for providing this review sample with no strings attached.
Hi everybody! (Every time I think of those words, I think of Dr. Nick from The Simpsons. “Well, if it isn't my old friend Mr. McGreg, with a leg for an arm and an arm for a leg!” Man, I’m sidetracked already, and I haven’t even really started yet.)
Recently, Woodinville Whiskey made a lot of their products available for purchase on their website, WoodinvilleWhiskeyCo.com. In honor of this news—and let’s be honest, to help get the word out—they sent me a bottle of their Port Finish bourbon. Since this is one of their products I’ve never tasted before, I thought it would be a good use of all of our time to give it a proper review. Especially since you don’t have to go online to buy it—it’s also nationally available at retail.
So, what is it? Well, as the name says, it’s Woodinville bourbon that has been finished in Port casks. Originally launched as a special release in 2017, it was so well received that it became the third full-time member of their lineup. Now, if you’re like me, you want more details than that. Well, never fear—the company is ready to tell us. This bourbon starts with a mash bill of 72% corn, 22% rye, and 7% malted barley. It then spends at least four years in barrels sourced from Independent Stave before spending another six months or so in Port casks, specifically Port casks sourced from Portugal’s Douro Valley.
But enough with all of that—let’s get to the important part. How does it taste?
Woodinville Whiskey Company Bourbon, Port Finish
Purchase Info: This bottle was sent to me at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $44.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.00
Details: 45% ABV. Mash bill: 72% corn, 22% rye, and 7% malted barley. Finished for 6 months in Port casks.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, red fruit, and fresh-cut oak.
Mouth: Brown sugar, red fruits, nutmeg, clove, and oak.
Finish: Warm and on the longer side of medium length. Notes of brown sugar, red fruit, chewable vitamins, nutmeg, clove, and oak.
Thoughts: This is a very good whiskey. I really like the fruit notes that I assume the Port finish is bringing. The oak notes are more like fresh-cut oak than aged and dried oak. The nutmeg and clove are lovely on the mouth and finish. In fact, the complex finish is the best part of this. I'm really enjoying it.
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