Woodford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Finish

Every now and then, a bottle comes along that makes me raise an eyebrow when I first hear about it. Woodford Reserve's Distillery Series Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finish was one of those bottles.

A bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels? My first thought was, "Well, that sounds like something my wife would be excited about." As it turns out, I should have been excited too.

A Quick Woodford History Lesson

Woodford Reserve traces its roots to the historic distillery site in Versailles, Kentucky, a property with distilling history dating back to the early 1800s. The modern Woodford Reserve brand was introduced by Brown-Forman in 1996 and has since become one of Kentucky's most recognizable premium bourbons. The distillery itself is a National Historic Landmark and sits right in the heart of thoroughbred country.

Over the years, Woodford has built a reputation on a distinctive flavor profile featuring rich caramel, toasted oak, fruit, spice, chocolate, and that unmistakable marzipan note that longtime Woodford fans know well.

The Distillery Series serves as Woodford's experimental playground. Under Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, the series explores unique finishes, mash bills, blending techniques, and production methods, typically releasing two to three expressions each year. Recent releases have included Tawny Port Finish, Chocolate Whisper , Blended Malt Sherry Cask Finish, Blended Malt, Honey Barrel Finish, and Toasted Oak Four Grain.

In short, if the Master's Collection is the tuxedo, the Distillery Series is the sport coat that occasionally shows up wearing cowboy boots.

The Tasting

Woodford Reserve's Distillery Series Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finish is packaged in a 375ml bottle that is a “mini-me” version of the classic shouldered Woodford Reserve bottle. The mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. The flagship brand typically ages for 6-7 years and was then finished in French Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. MSRP is approximately $69.

Eye: Dark amber. The extra aging and finishing are immediately evident. The color is noticeably deeper than standard Woodford Reserve and lands somewhere in the neighborhood of a Woodford Double Oaked. Rich, inviting, and a shade that practically begs you to stop talking and start sipping.

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and classic Woodford notes of marzipan and dark chocolate lead the

charge. Beneath those familiar aromas are layers of dark stone fruit, particularly plums and cherries. It's instantly recognizable as Woodford, but with a darker, fruitier wardrobe.

Palate: Fruit-forward from the first sip, followed immediately by a burst of baking spices and vanilla. The Cabernet influence arrives without overpowering the bourbon. Rather than tasting like wine, it complements the whiskey's natural sweetness, creating a rich and creamy mouthfeel that coats the palate beautifully. This is one of those pours where every sip keeps you coming back for "just one more taste" to make sure you didn't imagine that last flavor transition.

Finish: Long and gentle. The finish balances spice, dark fruits, vanilla, and oak char with impressive restraint. Nothing dominates. Nothing feels out of place. It simply fades slowly and comfortably, leaving behind enough flavor to remind you why another pour seems like a perfectly reasonable idea.

Overall

I have to admit, I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy this one. My wife is the wine enthusiast in the family. I'm generally happier standing next to the bourbon shelf than the wine rack. But this bottle won me over.

In fact, one of my bourbon buddies, a dyed-in-the-wool Wild Turkey fiend who typically doesn't gravitate toward the traditional Woodford profile, immediately reached for a sample when I brought this to a sharing event. His verdict?

"That's actually pretty decent." From him, that's practically a standing ovation. My daughter and son-in-law also gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up, which made this bottle one of the more universally appreciated pours I've shared in quite some time.

At roughly $69 for a 375ml bottle, it isn't inexpensive. But unlike some limited releases that feel more like collectibles than drinking whiskey, this one earns its place in the glass. Perhaps the most interesting development is availability. Historically, many Distillery Series releases required a trip to Versailles and a lot of luck. Thanks to increased production and softer overall whiskey demand, I'm beginning to see these bottles appear on local shelves with some regularity.

That's good news for bourbon fans. And after spending time with this Cabernet Sauvignon Finish, I'd encourage you to grab one if you see it. You don't have to be a wine lover to appreciate what Woodford accomplished here. But if you happen to be married to one, you'll finally have a bottle you can both argue over.