Full List of Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Releases, Proof, Where to Buy, and More
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series has been released annually since the concept was developed by Master Distiller Chris Morris in 2015. The limited edition bourbon whiskey is an ever-changing experimental product of Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the juice in the bottle is totally unfamiliar to fans of the distillery.
However, since it’s inception Woodford Reserve has recently promoted Elizabeth McCall to Master Distiller. Therefore, not only isshe the Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve Distillery Series, but she essentially the Master Distiller across of portfolio of premium bourbon brands under the Brown-Forman parent company. That includes other Kentucky bourbon brands such as Old Forester and Coopers’ Craft.
SEE ALSO: 2023 Woodford Reserve Derby Bottle Released
As for theDistillery Series bourbon itself, typically two to four expressions are released each year. Most of these limited releases are significantly different from prior releases, however there are some examples that have been reintroduced consistently. The most common instance of that is the Double Double Oaked, which has been released six times in the Woodford Reserve Distillery Series.
Table of Contents
SEE ALSO: Little Book Bourbon: Info on Every Release
2023 Releases
The first expression from the Distillery Series 2023 releases is Double Double Oaked 2023. This release is a step up from their already impressive Double Oaked product. The second expression in the 2023 releases is Wheat Whiskey Bottled in Bond.
Doubled Double Oaked 2023
This bourbon is aged for another year in a heavily toasted, lightly charred new oak barrel, resulting in a spicier flavor profile. Made with legendary Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, this product is aged in a total of three virgin oak barrels. The end result is a bourbon that boasts a sweeter taste and finish, making it a must-try for any bourbon lover.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Roasted coffee bean
- Aroma: Aroma: A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
- Palate: Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
- Finish: Warm and drying with a lingering clove character.
- Barrel Details: Aged in a total of three virgin oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2023
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
SEE ALSO: Wild Turkey Master’s Keep: Info on Every Release
Wheat Whiskey Bottled in Bond 2023
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Whole Wheat Toast
- Aroma: Toasted whole wheat bread smothered in apple butter.
- Palate: Delicate apple butter and dried berry compote fruitiness atop a wheat cracker.
- Finish: Long with dried berry fruit.
- Barrel Details: N/A
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2023
- Proof: 100 (50 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
Toasted Oak Four Grain 2023
This exceptional whiskey blends the rich flavors of Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, and Malt. Crafted with care, it undergoes a unique aging process in both new oak and heavily toasted barrels. For bourbon collectors, this is a historic Woodford Reserve release, as it proudly features the name of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall on the label for the first time. Taking over the role from Chris Morris, who now holds the esteemed title of Master Distiller Emeritus, McCall is making her mark on whiskey history.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Toasted pecan
- Aroma: Sweet hints of marzipan, honeycomb, brown sugar and butterscotch round out a touch of toasted oak.
- Palate: Toasted oak, very slight wood spices with touches of maple syrup and butterscotch.
- Finish: Crisp and subtly sweet.
- Barrel Details: N/A
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Fall 2023
- Proof: 90.4 Proof (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
SEE ALSO: Larceny Barrel Proof: Info on Every Batch Released
2022 Releases
The first expression from the Distillery Series 2022 release is Toasted Oak Oat Grain. This release is essentially a base of fully matured Woodford Reserve Oat Grain Bourbon, which is then finished in new heavily toasted barrels.
Honey Barrel Finished 2022
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Raw Honey.
- Aroma: Floral notes of honeysuckle and lemon peel combine with spicy clove, toasted coconut and honey graham cracker character.
- Palate: Rich raw honey, bold baking spices softened by toasted oak and coconut maltiness.
- Finish: Long and Toasty.
- Barrel Details: Honey Barrel Finished adds additional flavors while it is finished in a freshly-emptied honey barrels from a local bee farmer.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2022
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
Toasted Oak Oat Grain 2022
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Topaz
- Aroma: Well done cinnamon raisin oatmeal cookie dusted with cocoa, dark chocolate shavings and drizzled with dark molasses.
- Palate: Sharp spice notes of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg merge with citrus and a very dark chocolate character.
- Finish: Dry with a chocolate bitters hint.
- Barrel Details: Toasted Oak Oat Grain adds additional flavors while it is finished in new heavily toasted barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2022
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
2021 Releases
The Distillery Series 2021 release roundup saw two expressions, including Double Double Oaked 2021 and Chocolate Malt Whisper 2021.
Double Double Oaked 2021
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Medium caramel
- Aroma: Soft mocha, delicate caramel, and roasted nut notes mingle with hints of cedar, soft oak, and a touch of fruit.
- Palate: Roasted rye grain, dry cocoa nibs, and dark chocolate spice up a soft mocha character atop a layer of cherry fruit and toasted oak.
- Finish: Long and chocolatey
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2021
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $60
- Secondary Price: N/A
Chocolate Malt Whisper 2021
Chocolate Malt Whisper was created immediately following another limited release, the 2019 Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Chocolate Malted Rye. The company noticed the bourbon following that run also shared some of its flavor profile, including a whisper of the chocolate malt.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Orange chocolate.
- Aroma: A medley of dark chocolate, dusty cocoa and roasted coffee beans brightened with a hint of citrus oil and mint.
- Palate: Smoky roasted cocoa, vanilla beans and dark chocolate sweetened with a very slight drizzle of caramel atop faint fruit and citrus notes.
- Finish: Lingers like a chocolate brittle walnut fudge brownie.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2021
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2020 Releases
The Distillery Series 2020 release roundup saw three expressions, including Double Double Oaked 2020, Five Wood 2020, and Four Grain 2020.
Double Double Oaked 2020
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Roasted coffee bean
- Aroma: A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
- Palate: Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
- Finish: Warm and drying with a lingering clove character.
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2020
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Five Wood 2020
Woodford Reserve Five Wood is a limited-edition whiskey that has been distilled and then aged in five different styles of barrels. It starts with the standard freshly charred white oak barrel, then things transition to a path that the distillery has never venture down before. Next, the distillate is finished in anOloroso Sherry barrel, Amontillado Sherry barrel, Ruby Port barrel, and lastly a Tawny Port barrel.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Deep Black Cherrywood
- Aroma: An intense medley of rich blackberry, dark cherry, dates, raisin, prune and red fruit reduction notes sweetened with Damara sugar and caramel-coated walnuts. Dark leather, oak and black licorice spice develop slowly.
- Palate: Rich dark chocolate and espresso coffee caramel icing coated with a raspberry and cherry reduction.
- Finish: Long, mouthwatering rich red fruit brightened with a drop of orange oil
- Barrel Details: Blood Oath Pact 6 adds additional flavors with the Cognac Barrel Finish.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2020
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Four Grain 2020
Woodford Reserve Four Grain blends all four of the classic Woodford County distillery’s whiskies into a new expression. If you’re keeping track, that specifically includes Woodford Bourbon, Woodford Rye Whiskey, Woodford Malt Whiskey and Woodford Wheat Whiskey.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance:
- Aroma:
- Palate: hints of graham cracker, caramel, baking spices, cedar, and clove
- Finish:
- Barrel Details: Aged in new charred white oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2020
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2019 Releases
The Distillery Series 2019 release roundup saw three expressions, including Double Double Oaked 2019, Three Grain 2019, and Brandy Cask Finish 2019.
Double Double Oaked 2019
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Roasted coffee bean
- Aroma: A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
- Palate: Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
- Finish: Warm and drying with a lingering clove character.
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2019
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Three Grain 2019
Three Grain Kentucky Blended Whiskey is a contemporary blend of bourbon, malt and rye whiskies.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: N/A
- Aroma: N/A
- Palate: N/A
- Finish: N/A
- Barrel Details: three Grain blends whiskies that are aged in new and used charred American White Oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: 2019
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Brandy Cask Finish 2019
The Brandy Cask Finish Distillery Series release from 2019, got its inspiration from the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Brandy Cask Finish from 2016.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Warm red ochre.
- Aroma: A medley of chocolate, maple syrup and caramel drizzled over toasted hazelnuts, dark raisins and dried cranberries. Soft notes of oak and spice linger in the depths.
- Palate: Toffee-covered dried fruit and toasted hazelnuts warmed by delicate wood spice notes.
- Finish: Long and warm with a touch of caramel lingering on.
- Barrel Details: Finished in brandy casks for nearly two years.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2019
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2018 Releases
The Distillery Series 2018 release roundup saw three expressions, including Double Double Oaked 2018, Barrel Finished Rye 2018, and Bottled in Bond 2018
Double Double Oaked 2018
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Roasted coffee bean
- Aroma: A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
- Palate: Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
- Finish: Warm and drying with a lingering clove character.
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2018
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Barrel Finished Rye 2018
Woodford Reserve Barrel Finished Rye “is finished in a unique second barrel that is heavily toasted, lightly charred barrel, which brings out even more flavors,” states Master Distiller Chris Morris said.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Rich sienna leather.
- Aroma: Seasoned leather and aromatic cedar notes enhance a rich port and sherried fruit cake character highlighted by a nut and dark chocolate underpinning.
- Palate: Warm baking spices enliven in a rich nutty and roasted coffee character enriched by a deep fruit character.
- Finish: A dark caramel molasses like sweetness atop a dried fruit lingers on.
- Barrel Details:
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2018
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Bottled in Bond 2018
The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 legally requires that a whiskey must be produced by a single distiller, at the same physical distillery, within the same 6-month distillation season. That distillate must also be aged for a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, where the federal agent and distiller hold the keys to the federally bonded rickhouse. That whiskey must also be 100 proof.
“Given the historical nature of our distillery—a National Historic Landmark—it is only appropriate that one of the oldest distilleries in the country releases an expression in the oldest federal designation for bourbon,” stated Master Distiller Chris Morris.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Honey topaz.
- Aroma: A complex medley of tropical fruit, apple and grape brandy with subtle notes of a nutty graham cracker crust drizzled with honey and toasted coconut sprinkles.
- Palate: Tart green apple pie, with a graham cracker crust spiced with a dash of cinnamon. Poached pear and floral notes round out the palate.
- Finish: A dry apple peel sweet sweetness lingers on.
- Barrel Details: Woodford BIB is aged in freshly-charred white oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2018
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2017 Releases
The Distillery Series 2017 release roundup saw four expressions, the most of any calendar year since the experiential series was launched. These included Double Double Oaked 2017, Blended Rye Whiskey 2017, Toasted Oak Rye 2017, and French Oak Cask Finished Rye 2017.
Double Double Oaked 2017
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Roasted coffee bean
- Aroma: A robust medley of rich maple syrup, dark butterscotch, brittle caramel, bittersweet chocolate, burnt marshmallow and sweet hickory smoke notes dominate the nose.
- Palate: Rich dried cherry and cranberry fruit swim in a blackberry jam brightened with hints of ripe apple. Chai tea and warming clove notes develop to spice up the palate.
- Finish: Warm and drying with a lingering clove character.
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2017
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Blended Rye Whiskey 2017
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Amber
- Aroma: Cooked and dried fruit predominates here, evoking pears cooked in sweet sherry, or an apple pie with raisins. There’s a major, faintly dusty wood note here, too: picture those desserts on an unfinished pine plank in a wood shop.
- Palate: More orchard fruit, together with some black pepper and allspice, and some honey sweetness. The dusty wood/cardboard note is here, too, but it’s softer. Medium-bodied, with a long, pleasant finish heavy on spice, with more wood coming through after a moment.
- Finish:
- Barrel Details:
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Spring 2017
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Toasted Oak Rye 2017
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: N/A
- Aroma: N/A
- Palate: N/A
- Finish: N/A
- Barrel Details: N/A
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2017
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
French Oak Cask Finished Rye 2017
Woodford Reserve French Oak Cask Finished Rye uses the rye mash distillate fromWoodford Reserve Master’s Collection Aged Cask Rye. That juice was then matured in the fluctuating climate around Versailles, KY in French Oak barrels for three years. Those French Oak barrels previously held a Pinot Noir wine, therefore they add a hint of soft fruit-forward notes and baking spices.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Light Honey.
- Aroma: Buttery shortbread with hints of nuttiness and Kiwi fruit coated with drizzled honey resting atop a plank of toasted cedar.
- Palate: Brown butter and honey brushed on grilled pineapple
- Finish: Finishes like a mouthful of soft Key Lime Pie.
- Barrel Details: Finished in French Oak barrels that previously held a Pinot Noir wine.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Fall 2017
- Proof: 86.4 (43.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2016 Releases
The Distillery Series 2016 release roundup saw two expressions, including Frosty Four Wood 2016, and 5 Malt Whiskey 2016.
Frosty Four Wood 2016
Woodford Reserve Frosty Four Wood “is the last of a historic whiskey specialty, as the original Four Wood was the first of its kind to touch four different barrels,” states Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “It represents a rare moment that extends beyond bourbon and amplifies current flavors found in Woodford Reserve.”
Frosty Four Wood is a unique expression of the mature and flagship Woodford Reserve bourbon. It starts with the standard aging in American Oak, and then it’s finished in barrels made from Maple Wood, Sherry Wood and Port.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Rich orange honey.
- Aroma: Full, with rich holiday spice notes and a dried fruit medley (fig, raisin, dried cherry, dried apricot) character with hints of maple syrup and coffee.
- Palate: Warm and full-bodied with dried fruit character that layers over a nutty, spicy range of honeyed oak and maple syrup.
- Finish: Long, warm, and spicy.
- Barrel Details: Frosty Four Wood is aged in American Oak barrels, then finished in whiskey barrels made from Maple Wood, then Sherry Wood, and lastly Port.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2016
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
5 Malt Whiskey 2016
Woodford Reserve 5 Malt Whiskey uses“malted grains typically used for beers.” The distillery officially states that the distillate is so flavorful own its own,that “minimum wood exposure is required.” Therefore, Five Malt spends only six months in the whiskey barrel.
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Pale Honey
- Aroma: Rich malty coffee, caramel and chocolate notes lightly spiced with anise.
- Palate: Toasted malt with traces of coffee, caramel, vanilla and soft oak explode with a burst of honeycomb sweetness.
- Finish: Long warming malt notes with a hint of coffee linger on.
- Barrel Details: 5 Malt Whiskey only ages for six months in the whisky barrel.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2016
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
2015 Releases
The Distillery Series 2015 release roundup saw two expressions, including Double Double Oaked 2015, and Sweet Mash Redux 2015.
Double Double Oaked 2015
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Rich orange honey.
- Aroma: Full, with rich holiday spice notes and a dried fruit medley (fig, raisin, dried cherry, dried apricot) character with hints of maple syrup and coffee.
- Palate: Warm and full-bodied with dried fruit character that layers over a nutty, spicy range of honeyed oak and maple syrup.
- Finish: Long, warm, and spicy.
- Barrel Details: Double Double Oaked acquires additional flavor notes from not one, not two, but three heavily toasted lightly charred new oak barrels.
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Winter 2015
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
Sweet Mash Redux 2015
Review & Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Burnished gold
- Aroma: Sweet with delicate notes of anise, cedar and a subtle cassia bark note, with an overripe apple fruitiness. A malty shortbread note dusted with brown sugar and glazed with caramel combine to suggest a slice of Dutch apple pie.
- Palate: Soft and sweet with hints of malt sharpened with a spice medley and cedar.
- Finish: Subtle spice, oak and fruit notes gently fade in a warm farewell.
- Barrel Details:
Details & Buyers Guide
- Release Date: Summer 2015
- Proof: 90.4 (45.2 ABV)
- MSRP: $50
- Secondary Price: N/A
MSPR Price vs Secondary Price
The Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Bourbon MSRP Price is around $60, while the secondary price can climb over $150-plus. Naturally, older batches are more rare and expensive. However, Double Double Oaked is the most sought after, but it typically gets released annually to increase overall availability.
SEE ALSO: Stagg Jr. Batches: Info on Every Release
Distillery Series Bourbon Review
The Distillery Series Master Distiller proclaims, “experimenting with new ways of making Woodford Reserve is one of my favorite parts of my job,” states Master Distiller Chris Morris. “It allows us to explore new flavors with our bourbon.”
Releases Ranked
While every bourbon lover will find their very own personal favorites, there are a few consensus standpoints. In this instance, Double Double Oaked is a clear consensus winner. Some folks even suggest that this is the overall best release from the distillery, period!
Distillery Series Bourbon Overview
Producer: Woodford Reserve Distillery
Release Category: Limited-Edition, Allocated
Release Frequency: 3 Batches Per Year
Release Season: Varies
ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
Bottle Size: 375ml
MSRP Price: $60
Avg. Price Retail: $100
AVG Secondary Price: $150+ (early batches more valuable)
Production Codes:
Mash Bill: Varies by Release
FAQs
Is Distillery Series bourbon rare?
Yes, this bourbon is an allocated release. While allocation numbers aren’t disclosed, this limited release isn’t distributed outside of Kentucky.
How much is a bottle of Distillery Series bourbon?
The MSRP of a 375ml bottle ofWoodford Reserve Distillery Series bourbon is $59.99.
How manyDistillery Series Whiskies are there?
There are currently 21 releases of Distillery Series whiskies.
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