Woodinville 6 Year Old Bourbon Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B+

As the last time I worked on a Woodinville whiskey was 5 1/2 years ago, a brief summary of who they are is called for. The Woodinville Distillery was started in 2010 based in Washington state, and scored points with traditionalists early on for its commitment to not taking the well-trod paths followed by so many entrants into the small whiskey distillery sector. In 2010, it would have been normal to begin by releasing whiskeys aged in small barrels, with the intention to gradually transition into larger barrel stock; to build the brand with sourced, aged stock whiskey while also building the distillery plant and in-house stock; or some mix of the two. Woodinville did neither, choosing instead to build their stock on 53-gallon American Standard Barrels (ASBs), eschew sourcing, and simply wait several years for their own stock to mature. So, when the time came they were able to release 5 year old bourbon, matured the same way the Kentucky Majors do it, albeit with the wrinkle of doing it in the Pacific Northwest.

Woodinville bourbon is made from a traditional 72% corn, 22% rye and 6% malted barley mash bill, but distilled in copper pots rather than the hybrids common in the craft scene or the beer stills used by the big distillers. The new make should retain a heavier, oilier character as a result.

Now Woodinville has upped their age statement, and their core lineup (this flagship bourbon, the rye, and the Port- and Applewood-finished bourbons) will be six years old going forward. This is the oldest whiskey they can put into regular release, but not the oldest stuff they have in stock; a 10 year old limited edition is slated for later this year. The step up in age statement also comes with a revamped look. The strength holds steady at 90 proof.

The Bourbon
The pour into my Glencairn took on a light amber look, The nose had a strong current of musty hay and pine needles, tied to vanilla-sweetened nougat and a dose of cherry syrup. Those field/wood elements from the nose evolved into a light dose of nuttiness on the palate, while the sweeter elements lost their earthiness, going to candy corn and vanilla, all this while picking up a peppermint and cinnamon spicy edge. On the finish, the whole profile rolls over into an evergreen note, fading to seasoned oak.

I still have my bottle of Woodinville 5 year old, and I think I’ll write a future in the near term comparing the pair.

The Price
The price on this bourbon is supremely reasonable at $40 a bottle.