Brian’s Woodinville Straight Bourbon Review:
reviewed 10-September-2023
Click to hear the review on the WftA Podcast
WOODINVILLE STRAIGHT BOURBON REVIEW:
The aroma of Woodinville Straight Bourbon (Woodinville) is characterized by the absence of alcohol which allows individual components like corn, rye, and barley to come through. Common bourbon spices such as light cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, rye play along with notes of caraway, and fennel. These work well with hints of rye bread and faint blackberry and cherry. In terms of flavor, the bourbon is dry and warm with dusty rye and barley notes reminiscent of dry grass. There is a subtle fruitiness from dried currants and raisins, and a touch of complexity from cinnamon, ginger, barley, and heavy rye influence. However, throughout the experience, wood is the star here … sturdy old oak, and accents of toasted wood, char, and wood chip smoke.
WOODINVILLE STRAIGHT BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Category: Small Batch Straight Bourbon
Region: Woodinville, WA
Distillery: Woodinville Whiskey Company
Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 22% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
Cooperage: 18 month seasoned oak; barrels are finished with a heavy toast and heavy char
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: nas (said to be aged a minimum of 5 years)
ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 26970
Fair Price: $52.02 (BoozApp August 2023)
Paid: $39.95 (Idaho, September 2023)
Unique bottle number identifiers:
“This truly small-batch bourbon starts with traditionally grown corn, rye and malted barley. All of our staple grains are cultivated exclusively for us on the Omlin Family farm in Quincy, Washington. The grains are mashed, distilled, and barreled in our Woodinville® distillery, then trucked back over the Cascade Mountains to our private barrel houses, where Central Washington’s extreme temperature cycles promote the extraction of natural flavors from the oak.
Prior to being coopered, the barrel wood is seasoned in open air, rain, wind, sun, and snow for eighteen months, softening the wood’s harsh tannins. The barrels are then slowly toasted and heavily charred to further enrich the wood’s desirable flavors.
This meticulous process yields a truly hand-crafted spirit with aromas of crème brûlée and spice cabinet, as well as notes of rich caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla bean on the palate with a sweet, lingering finish.”
Learn more at Woodinville Distillery.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Alternate pours, equaling about four ounces each, were added into two Glencairns. I, along with my daughters Hannah and Elora, enjoyed the bourbon neat during the S02E01 WftA Podcast for this review.
WOODINVILLE STRAIGHT BOURBON NOSE:
At the first waft, I sense no alcohol from my pour of Woodinville. I do get notes of corn, rye, and barley, while a faint hint of berries (could they be blackberry) and a whisper of cherry fade in and out. Spice of light cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, and rye tickle my nose, however it is the oddness of caraway and fennel sneek which command attention, but they work seem to well with a suggestion of rye bread. Vanilla provides a touch of sweetness, which is nearly hidden by burnt brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and a welcome wild berry topped creme brûlée. The aroma also carries elements of wood, toasted oak boards, and char along with earthy undertones, which add depth.
WOODINVILLE STRAIGHT BOURBON PALATE:
Woodinville offers dry warmth with little to no alcohol sharpness. Did I say dry? The taste is dusty as rye and barley blend into tall dry grass. Dried currants and stale raisins contribute a subtle fruitiness, while a blend of cinnamon, ginger, barley, and the ever present heavy rye adds a touch of complexity. I detect little sweetness on the palate, which is sad as the pour needs help to counter the Hazelnut notes and prominent sturdy old oak presence. And even more wood makes itself known as toasted boards, char, and hints of soaked wood chip smoke, further intensifying the wood-forward profile. As I take another sip, more dusty soil, dried grass, and strong earthy notes, add even more dryness to the pour.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Woodinville exhibits an unbalanced character primarily driven by a pronounced wood influence, which does little to counter the dryness. The bourbon is easy to hold in the mouth, encourages salivation, and does offer an oily feel, yet I feel as though the offerin is diluted, which comes as a bit of a surprise given its texture. I wonder what a cask strength version might smell and taste like When observed in the glass, it forms petite clinging droplets. After each sip long, clinging legs gradually transition the leftover liquid back to auburn-colored pool.
WOODINVILLE STRAIGHT BOURBON FINISH
Woodinville Straight Bourbon has a medium length, dry, and warm finish without alcohol harshness. The finish lingers with with subdued notes of dusty grain and spices similar to those found on the nose and palate. After swallowing, hazelnut notes emerge, along with prominent ever-present heavy, strong oak. Hints of toasted wood and char further enhance the woodiness, while a subtle sense of soil contributes to the earthy finish.
MY RATING: 83/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? NO
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 83/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Woodinville Whiskey Company.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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