A little background
Woodinville Distillery, based in Woodinville, Washington, is a renowned craft distillery known for its commitment to quality and local sourcing. Founded by longtime friends Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile, the distillery has quickly made a name for itself in the world of premium spirits, producing award-winning whiskeys that capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest. Every aspect of the whiskey-making process is meticulously handled in-house, from sourcing grains from family farms in Washington’s Skagit Valley to aging the spirits in custom-made, heavily charred American oak barrels. With guidance from legendary distiller Dave Pickerell, Woodinville has perfected the art of crafting rich, flavorful whiskeys that have gained a loyal following. The distillery’s focus on tradition, innovation, and quality has positioned it as a standout in the American whiskey landscape.
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years has been maturing in the brand’s Quincy, Washington barrelhouses since 2016. The whiskey rests in barrels crafted by Independent Stave Company, made from staves seasoned outdoors for 24 months, then heavily toasted and lightly charred. Its mashbill is composed of 55% corn, 35% rye, and 10% malted barley—different from Woodinville’s standard recipe. Bottled at 100 proof, this release carries a suggested retail price of $129.99 USD.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Dark Gold
Nose
Citrus, caramel, vanilla custard, baking spice, and dried fruit.
Palate
Caramel, cinnamon, Crème brûlée, toffee, baking spice (dominantly nutmeg and allspice), molasses, and rye spice.
Finish
Nutmeg, cinnamon, coffee, caramel, rye spice, and oak.
In closing
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years delivers a well-rounded experience that highlights both depth and maturity. The sweet, dessert-forward nose sets the stage for a rich palate layered with caramel, crème brûlée, molasses, and warming spice, while the medium-long finish ties it all together with oak and rye-driven character. At nine years old and priced around $130, it feels like a fair value for the level of complexity and quality in the glass. This release stands out as one of my favorite Woodinville offerings to date, and it’s exciting to see older age-stated bottling from the brand making their way to shelves.
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Woodinville. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years
100 Proof
The Good
- Flavor profile
- Transparency
The Bad
- Availability
