Review: Woodinville Bourbon 6 Years Old and Cask Strength (2026)
Hey, Woodinville has updated its bottle design with a more rugged, mountainy look — and that’s not all. Check the fine print and you’ll see that the brand is now adding age statements to its flagship offerings, with 6 years old being the standard mark across its Straight Bourbon, Straight 100% Rye, Straight Bourbon Finished in Applewood Staves, and Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels expressions.
Today we tuck into a fresh sample of Woodinville Straight Bourbon, released in 2026, along with its latest Cask Strength Bourbon offering.
Woodinville Straight Bourbon 6 Years Old (2026) Review
Initially a bit hoary with notes of rustic saddle leather and hemp rope, this is one of Woodinville’s punchier whiskeys, heavy on the nose with charry BBQ burnt ends and lightly sweetened by cherry pits and menthol. Quite smoky, there’s a thick vein of tobacco both dried and smoldering that pervades what can be an aggressive aromatic experience.
On the palate, the whiskey tends toward many of the same elements, though layers of vanilla and caramel help soften some of the smoky-woody attack, slowly meandering its way toward ground cinnamon and cocoa powder — as if dusted across the top of a latte. I say that with intent, as a coffee element emerges in due time, with hazelnut lingering on the finish — alongside just a touch of fruit.
This more youthful expression of Woodinville lacks much of the chemistry that older expressions often exude, the commonly found sweeter and fruitier notes all but absent until wisps of apple and more cherry appear on the finish. I’m all for frontier-style bourbons, but I think Woodinville works best with a bit more age on it.
90 proof. B / $40
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Cask Strength (2026) Review
No formal age statement on this bottle (these bottles haven’t yet received the new design, either), though this is presumably from the same stock as the above, just bottled at full proof.
The higher proof does something here — something rather magical, to be honest. The nose still has a lot of that heavy frontier character, but it feels less overwhelming — more of that cherry note, less dried tobacco. The menthol character evident on the standard whiskey remains, but here it emerges as a bit more minty, and with some floral potpourri notes replacing the more woody, char-laden aromas. Altogether, a big step up.
The palate is less evolutionary, but still quite a bit more engaging. There’s definitely more fruit visible, right from the start, the cherry notes quickly appearing and complementing notes of cola, Andes mints, and nutmeg. Chocolatey with overtones of clove and cinnamon on the finish, the whiskey culminates with a Mexican chocolate quality, a stronger punch of mint, and a light — but surprisingly complementary — lacquering of varnish. Water tempers the heat but not the flavor — it’s nearly as bright after being doused, with more visible overtones of butterscotch and caramel.
Rich and immersive, this is a far more engaging experience than the rack bourbon, and an easy pick if you’re trying to decide between the two.
115.1 proof. A- / $60
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