Woodinville
Woodinville
58.18%
NAS
Distilled by Woodinville Whiskey Company and bottled there as well, the recently acquired LVMH distiller is really diving into a wide berth of finishing barrels, and they seem to keep picking casks that pique my interest. This specific bottling features a Cognac barrel finish, and is bottled at cask strength. Let's dive in.
Apples, pears, oranges, sweet and desserty. Bold, oaky notes, a hit of high proof ethanol, a touch of creme brulee and a powerful, spicy character.
Spicy again on the palate - rich mouthfeel, plenty of caramel, toffee, grains, sourdough and plenty of tannin. The cognac character shines here among the tannin and the base profile, adding a rich, fruity character. Apple crisp, boysenberry, grape and a touch of strawberry blends with great oakiness.
Long finish, a touch harsh on the ethanol, but delivers flavor in spades. Rich cocoa, maple, tannin and plenty of cognac influence to keep things interesting.
Overall, this is really a treat. Great character, plenty of oak, the cognac influence is obvious but not overarching or dominant. The heat is the only drawback here - it drinks hotter than it should for something at ~58%, but it's far from punishing and I'm happy that's my only gripe.
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