WR introduces new "Double Oaked"

[kyrocklover]

Back to the topic.

I have had a couple tastes of it and thought it was much improved over the standard WR, much like MM46 is much improved over the standard MM. Even more so for the same reasons, the additional woodiness. However, my problem is just that. All I got was additional wood, but not additional barrel flavors or depth to the current flavors.

I would like to commend WR and Chris Morris on providing a new product.

That being said, WR Double Oaked is $20 overpriced and regular WR has always been overpriced in my opinion.

TIFWIW.

[Restaurant man]

To me it's a shortcut to a new product line. Crown royal black (as if bourbon barrel finished whiskey is anything new) was first to market (for the majors) then makers 46 and now DO. The funny thing is is that most consumers see it as a "top shelf" version of the regular. So they are egar to lay more cash out to associate their "high end" tastes and lifestyles with their whiskey. Either that or they just like the taste.

[BootFNBD]

It appears to me that there is a "Buffalo Trace Clique" on these forums that attacks any Bourbon that is not a product of that company.

Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill and Brown-Forman et al, all produce fine Bourbons and deserve their just due!

The last thing I will say in regards to Jaymonster is: The attacks on Chris Morris were totally unwarranted and the remainder of his comments (which I did read!!) were condescending and in my opinion untruthful.

Boot

[Rutherford]

There are some fantastic liquors on the market finished in a different cask. Scotch makers (Glenmorangie in particular) have been doing this for quite some time with great commercial success, as have some rum makers (the cognac-finished Plantation line is sublime) and a limited number of American whiskeys (PHC cognac comes to mind).

It certainly makes sense to me for distillers to continue this trend to create new flavor profiles. There are people who don't like the WR line, whether due to the pot distillate character, high rye mashbill, or BF barrels. This product isn't for them. I'd like to try this product, as I find WR interesting. It's probably overpriced, but not nearly so much as the BT oat bourbon.

I'd agree with restaurant man... With new more expensive products, there area always some who consume them for the image associated with the product, and some who like the product for its intrinsic characteristics. Both groups are good for us in the long-term, as stimulated demand for an increased diversity in products will bring suppliers to make them.

[mosugoji64]

It appears to me that there is a "Buffalo Trace Clique" on these forums that attacks any Bourbon that is not a product of that company.

Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill and Brown-Forman et al, all produce fine Bourbons and deserve their just due!

The last thing I will say in regards to Jaymonster is: The attacks on Chris Morris were totally unwarranted and the remainder of his comments (which I did read!!) were condescending and in my opinion untruthful.

Boot

You've apparently missed the discussion on the E. H. Taylor line. BT takes as many hits as any other distillery here. From what I've seen, FR gets the most love.

[Brisko]

All rancor aside, I wonder how many of the "undrinkable" comments are coming from a freshly opened bottle: in other words, might Double Oaked benefit from breathing? I have had a few bourbons lately that were just godawful at first blush-- and not all from the same distillery or even the same style. Off the top of my head, KCSB, EC12, OWA, Old Fitz BiB, and to a lesser extent, 4RSB. All improved significantly after just a few days. But if had to base my opinion on the first pour alone, I would have dumped the KC, OWA and Old Fitz.

[ShewDawg]

You've apparently missed the discussion on the E. H. Taylor line. BT takes as many hits as any other distillery here. From what I've seen, FR gets the most love.

It's a perception thing. BT makes a good line of bourbons, the euphoria on the boards for their products (in particular Van Winkles/BTAC) seems greater than the other distililleries. The complaints on BT target more their marketing and price increases than their juice. I am glad that BF/HH/FR support appear quieter due to my preference for their products, so each their own.

I did get a good chuckle out of "Twinkles", it does articulate the madness of Van Winkles direct and to the point (which I enjoy, but hate the shortage).

[fishnbowljoe]

I'm gonna add my two cents FWIW. I think regular WR is okay. It's not great, but it's not bad either. That being said, I won't go out of my way to buy another bottle. The bourbon itself hasn't changed any in a number of years, yet the price keeps going up. Yeah I know. The price of all bourbon has gone up, but a couple of years ago you used to be able to find a bottle of WR around here for $28, give or take a couple of bucks. The price has jumped up to $38-$45 a bottle now. Just not worth it IMHO.

As for the WR Double Oaked, I was going to buy a bottle just because I was curious. What the heck, I bought a couple of bottles of MM46. :grin: I even bought a bottle of Old Crow Reserve, but I won't go into that. :skep: Anyway, I thought I may as well get a WR Double Oaked. I just happened to be at a place that had a bottle open, and got to taste it. It wasn't at all what I expected. A lot of wood and smoke, plus an earthy, grainy flavor that was very odd to me. Sad to say, but I just didn't care for it at all. I'm glad I got to taste it first, 'cause I saved myself $60.

Everyone has different tastes. I happen to prefer wheaters. Some folks prefer FR, or WR, or HH, or BT, or JB, or VW, or MM, or WT, or etc...... I always try and enjoy what I can from every bourbon I try or buy. Sometimes it's just not in the cards. :frown:

Cheers y'all! Joe

[Bmac]

All rancor aside, I wonder how many of the "undrinkable" comments are coming from a freshly opened bottle: in other words, might Double Oaked benefit from breathing? I have had a few bourbons lately that were just godawful at first blush-- and not all from the same distillery or even the same style. Off the top of my head, KCSB, EC12, OWA, Old Fitz BiB, and to a lesser extent, 4RSB. All improved significantly after just a few days. But if had to base my opinion on the first pour alone, I would have dumped the KC, OWA and Old Fitz.

My sentiments exactly. I only.have a handful of bourbons that tasted great from first pour right out of the bottle. About 80% of the remainder all needed air to reveal their true form.

[White Dog]

You've apparently missed the discussion on the E. H. Taylor line. BT takes as many hits as any other distillery here. From what I've seen, FR gets the most love.

[StraightBoston]

Back to the topic at hand...

I've tasted three times now and still don't find $20 of improvement. No copper evident in any of the attempts, but tonight I got Bananas Foster like crazy on the nose when first poured into a wide-mouth "Canadian" Glencairn, and the acetone/nail polish remover on the nose at the bottom of the pour. At any stage, I find the wood to be drying to the point where there's not much taste there.

Unlike some of the commenters on this thread, I wouldn't pour it out, but I won't be buying a bottle.

[LostBottle]

I knew this bourbon was not for me when I saw it was not "Triple Oaked". My thoughts were that a "Triple Oaked" Woodford whiskey might just have enough sheer wood taste to cover up the actual WR product profile. Plus, I would have been willing to pay more for a NAS bourbon were it labeled "triple" something, instead of just merely "double".

[Restaurant man]

I knew this bourbon was not for me when I saw it was not "Triple Oaked". My thoughts were that a "Triple Oaked" Woodford whiskey might just have enough sheer wood taste to cover up the actual WR product profile. Plus, I would have been willing to pay more for a NAS bourbon were it labeled "triple" something, instead of just merely "double".

And the milk shot out of my nose :slappin: :grin: :slappin:

[cowdery]

Was in a bar that had it over the weekend and had two glasses. It starts sweet and ends sooty. Much like the MC Seasoned Oak from a couple of years ago, it should appeal to people who like a lot of wood in their whiskey. That's the signature. It's not totally my cup of tea but I found it very drinkable. Obviously, I ordered a second one.

This is much like Maker's 46, a compromise for consumers who want to have 'their brand' which is what they drink 99% of the time, but who also occasionally like a change of pace. This lets them have that change of pace within the brand family.

[boss302]

For those of you who have regular access to both spirits:

How does the Woodford Reserve "Double Oaked" compare with Prichard's "Double Barrell" Bourbon?

Phil Prichard (a friendly acquaintance of mine) has been using a similar process for years, albeit with (possibly-- I didn't work up the nerve to ask) Heaven Hill juice.

[cowdery]

For those of you who have regular access to both spirits:

How does the Woodford Reserve "Double Oaked" compare with Prichard's "Double Barrell" Bourbon?

Phil Prichard (a friendly acquaintance of mine) has been using a similar process for years, albeit with (possibly-- I didn't work up the nerve to ask) Heaven Hill juice.

[Trey Manthey]

I finally tried the Double Oaked this weekend. I expressed my curiosity to my favorite bartender at the Columns, who didn't hesitate to pour me a half a finger to taste. I had a full glass of Blanton's to compare it to, which is about the same proof and price level.

I don't think this is as bad as people make it out to be. One of the main complaints I've heard is that the Double Oaked is "weird", so I was ready to taste something really strange. Surprise! I didn't have to run to the bathroom or immediately spit it out. I found it very smooth and sippable, but there was a combination of vanilla sweetness combined with a faint musty bitterness that I've never tasted in a bourbon. I decided that it wasn't bad, it was just different.

Imagine a longtime bourbon drinker who tries an Islay whiskey for the first time; he may love it, he may cock his eyebrow, or he may think that someone has tainted his drink and spew it back into the glass. Not everyone will like this.

Is the Double Oaked expression a bourbon drinker's nightmare? It might be for some. I don't feel that way, but at $40-$50 a bottle, I'll take the Blanton's every time.

[cowdery]

So is the bar at the Columns still that little thing tucked back under the stairs on the first floor, or do they have a proper bar now?

[Trey Manthey]

So is the bar at the Columns still that little thing tucked back under the stairs on the first floor, or do they have a proper bar now?

Ha! That must have been before my time. It's a proper bar alright: a looming wooden monstrosity that looks like it's been there for a century, with multiple bartenders and waitresses at hand. The whiskey selection is lacking, as it's more of a college/yuppie place than a high end bar. Anything more complicated than a gin and tonic tends to throw off the bartenders and will probably be terrible. On the upside, the pours of wine and whiskey tend to be quite generous, especially if you make friends. Also, the front patio on St. Charles might be the perfect place to enjoy a balmy summer night in New Orleans.

[cowdery]

I'm talking about 1990-1991. The place was still pretty shabby. Shabby elegance. The front porch is great, though the upper one is even better.

For those who don't know, The Columns is this great old house/inn on St. Charles St. in the Garden District. It played the whorehouse in the movie "Pretty Baby."

[Ejmharris]

Is this stuff really that popular? I know it is not on this board but but did from a retail store perspective did it sell well. One if the larger local stores sent a newsletter today saying it was coming back out but with limited distribution. Just seemed strange to me. Think it is just someone making hype for a product? The newsletter also mentioned the price was going up, which just means I will stay farther away from it.

Mike

[VAGentleman]

I believe they released it in limited quantities. There were only a few per ABC store in Virginia and they disappeared pretty quickly. I happen to like it a lot. But then I don't mind woody bourbon.

[squire]

I like that WR is doing this but I'm not curious enough to seek it out.

[petrel800]

Is this stuff really that popular? I know it is not on this board but but did from a retail store perspective did it sell well. One if the larger local stores sent a newsletter today saying it was coming back out but with limited distribution. Just seemed strange to me. Think it is just someone making hype for a product? The newsletter also mentioned the price was going up, which just means I will stay farther away from it.

Mike

I don't run a liquor store, so I can't tell you actual sales numbers, let me just say, I've never seen a hole on a shelf with a double oaked label underneath it here in GA. That's not anything factual outside of what I see around here. It's not running off the shelves in my opinion.

[bigtoys]

I thought it was regular production, not limited.

Anyway, fwiw, I like to use it in Manhattans and my variations.