Woodinville Straight Bourbon
- Jeffrey Lavallee
- Oct 12, 2025
- 3 min read
ABC - $39.99
TW - $41.99
Class VI - Looks like they only have the Woodinville Straight Bourbon Port Finish - $50.99
ABV - 45%
NAS
Mashbill - 72% Corn, 22% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
18 Aug 25
Flavor profile:
Nose - Creme Brulee and spice
Taste - Rich caramel, dark chocolate, and vanilla bean
Finish - Sweet and lingering
Why’s it called ‘Woodinville’? Well, it’s made in Woodinville, Washington. Located Northeast of Seattle and about a two hour drive from Leavenworth, Washington, they’ve got a beautiful distillery. Their tasting room looks new and their stills are works of art - absolutely beautiful. The Woodinville whiskey lineup includes a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a Straight 100% Rye Whiskey, and a Bourbon Whiskey finished in a Port Cask. Interesting: Their rye mentions no malted barley in their mashbill. We know from past WotW’s that malted barley helps the yeast get started and contributes a nutty flavor to the whiskey. I’ll have to try their rye and report back.
From their website: “The highest quality locally grown grains” and “Ours is estate-grown on the Omlin family farm to ensure we use only the best ingredients.”
I’ll tell you a little secret - nobody is checking to ensure that the grain they’re using only comes from their farm. Nobody. That’s not to say that Woodinville isn’t actually using grain from their farm. They say they are and I have no reason to doubt them. But, phrases like ‘locally sourced’ or ‘farm to glass’ are not covered under any American law. It's simply marketing. And I’m okay with that.
Distilleries are trying to set themselves apart and if they want to use locally sourced grains, what do we care?! Many distilleries trace their lineage back to a moonshiner who never existed or whose true identity or connection to whiskey is suspect. Again, it’s all marketing and, I think, part of the fun. Now, when it comes to terms like “bourbon”, “straight”, and even “whiskey”, those terms are protected by law and when you see them on a label, they have meaning. I also think that’s good and those words should be protected.
And locally sourced or farm-to-glass business models might not be that great. What if your farm has a bad year? Will you stop distilling because you can’t get the grain? And just because the grain is from a local farm doesn’t mean it’s the best or least expensive. Sometimes you can get better and cheaper grain from another state - even another country. Distilleries are (were) making lots of money, but they still need to keep an eye on the bottom line. We certainly want them to do that because we want their sweet, sweet juice!
Other interesting items for the whiskey geeks out there: Woodinville is chill filtered. While they mention a pot still, there’s also a column still involved. I’m curious as to how that setup works. There’s no more information about it - something for us to learn in the future. I knew nothing about Woodinville when I picked up a bottle of their bourbon at the ABC. I really enjoyed it. I think you will too. The cocktail looks delicious. Mbote!
Cocktail
HEARTBREAKER
Ingredients
2 Oz Woodinville Straight Bourbon
1 Oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 Oz Simple syrup (adjust to taste)
3-4 Fresh strawberries (hulled)
1/2 Oz Egg white
Soda Water (to top)
Ice
Fresh cut strawberry (for garnish)
Method
Muddle The Strawberries: In A Cocktail Shaker, Muddle The Fresh Strawberries To Release Their Juices.
Add The Remaining Ingredients: To The Shaker, Add Rye Whiskey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, And Egg White (Optional, For Froth And Texture).
Dry Shake: Shake All Ingredients Vigorously Without Ice To Emulsify The Egg White And Create Foam.
Shake With Ice: Add Ice To The Shaker And Shake Again Until Chilled.
Strain: Fine Strain The Mixture Into A Rocks Glass Filled With Ice, Or Into A Coupe Glass For A More Elegant Presentation.
Top With Soda: Add A Splash Of Soda Water To Create A Light Fizz.
Garnish: Garnish With A Fresh Strawberry Or A Lemon Wheel On The Rim.
