Each year, Woodford Reserve releases new expressions in its exclusive Distillery Series, which consists of bottles that can only be found at the company’s own gift shop or at participating Kentucky retailers. These bottles typically push the bounds of bourbon-making and subvert the public’s ideas of flavor profiles. For 2021, we got the extra-aged Double Double Oak and the residually flavored Chocolate Malt Whisper. This year will feature three expressions in total, with the inaugural release announced today.
The Toasted Oak Oat Grain is the latest display of creativity from Master Distiller Chris Morris and the innovative minds at Woodford Reserve. This limited-edition straight bourbon gets its name and key characteristics from a finishing barrel that was toasted heavily beforehand. Prior to that, the liquid was aged in a traditional charred oak cask until it was fully matured.
Woodford Reserve has never shied away from experimenting with its batches, while still always maintaining the quality that’s helped make it a standard in the industry. This new release displays a remarkable topaz hue and has a bouquet of cinnamon raisin oatmeal cookie with a hint of chocolate and molasses. Notes of sharp spices, such as clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg, grace the palate, as do citrus and dark chocolate, giving way to a dry finish accented by chocolate bitters.
If you’re in the Kentucky area, we highly urge you to seek out one of these limited-edition Toasted Oak Oat Grain bottles, which are being sold in 375mL demis for $60. Head over to Woodford Reserve’s website to find where you can buy the latest Distillery Series release.
