New Woodford Reserve bourbon release taps the power of the barrel. Lots of them.
Woodford Reserve announced the latest release in its Distillery Series, and this one sets a new bar for special finishes. Woodford Reserve Five Wood Whiskey was aged in five different barrels, layering a unique profile with rich fruit flavors.
Five Wood is a limited-release, available for $49.99 at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles starting June 26. The gift shop is still closed but you can order online at woodfordreserve.com/whiskey/five-wood and pick up from noon to 4 p.m. It’s also available from select Kentucky retailers.
The whiskey starts as standard bourbon aged in a standard oak barrel, then is finished in four more, according to the distillery: an Oloroso sherry barrel, an Amontillado sherry barrel, a Ruby Port barrel and a Tawny Port barrel.
“This is the first time in Woodford Reserve’s history that we’ve blended whiskeys that have been finished in five different barrels,” said master distiller Chris Morris, in a release. “The result is a rich taste and a bright finish.”
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of rich blackberry, dark cherry, dates, raisin, prune, sweetened red fruit reduction and caramel-coated walnuts. The taste has notes of rich dark chocolate and espresso coffee caramel icing, with raspberry and cherry reduction, and a finish with a drop of orange oil.
According to the release, Morris created the Distillery Series to highlight Woodford Reserve’s to showcase the brand’s commitment to innovation and premium craftsmanship. There are three annual releases of the distillery series. Each is only available once.
