Woodinville 7YO Single Barrel (#12040) Bourbon Review

Distillers: Woodinville Whiskey Co.

Proof: 115.9 (57.95% ABV)

Age: 7 Years

Mashbill: 72% Corn, 22% Rye, 6% Malted Barley 

MSRP: $70

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Woodinville turns up the proof and delivers a mature, dynamic bourbon worth making room for.

When I wrote about Woodinville’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey six-year, 90-proof straight bourbon, I thought the distillery had successfully produced a traditional-style bourbon capable of holding its own against the familiar Kentucky profile.  It was balanced, approachable, and complete, but it also left me wondering what that same whiskey foundation might deliver at a higher proof.

Woodinville Single Barrel Bourbon #12040 answers that question.  The mashbill remains their traditional formula, but this barrel was aged for seven years and bottled at a cask strength 115.90 proof.

The question here is whether Woodinville can preserve the balance and familiar bourbon identity of its flagship expression while using additional age and cask strength to drive greater depth, intensity, and enthusiast appeal.  Barrel #12040 does exactly that.  It remains recognizably traditional, but the flavors are significantly more concentrated and the proof delivers intensity without turning excessively hot.  

This is not merely a good bourbon produced outside the traditional regions.  It belongs in the conversation with some of the better bourbons being produced anywhere.

Woodinville 7YO Single Barrel (#12040) Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.4/5

Caramel.  Buttery sweetness.  Toasted grain.  Dry leather.  Old charred oak.
Strengths:  Full and mature.  Restrained caramel and buttery sweet notes lie beneath the more substantial dry oak, toasted grain, leather, and old charred wood.  The cask strength proof is well handled.  Rewards patient exploration.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Dry oak remains dominant.  Damp-grain note sits somewhat separately from the older barrel notes.
Rating Justification:  Inviting.  Barrel-forward.  Sweetness and grain are not fully integrated with the more dominant oak.

Palate – 4.8/5

Sweet corn.  Caramel.  Buttery sweetness.  Rye spice.  Dry tannic oak.
Strengths:  Sweet notes lead before a gradual but substantial expansion of rye spice, oak spice, barrel char, and tannic oak takes over.   The expansion is impressive but not overwhelming.  Creamy texture holds throughout.  Proof concentrates the flavors without making it drink excessively hot.
Why It’s Not Higher:  When the rye and oak spice take control, the opening sweetness is difficult to find.  Further development is by increasing intensity rather than a widening range of flavors.
Rating Justification:  Transition from sweet to spice is dynamic and increasingly interesting.  Delivers the greater concentration and structure of notes that the lower-proof 6YO suggested might be possible.

Finish – 4.7/5

Rye spice.  Oak spice.  Fading caramel.  Light tobacco.  Creamy warmth.
Strengths:  Long and creamy.  Carries rye spice, oak spice, and dry tannic oak across the middle, sides, and back of the Palate.  Slight tobacco and leather add maturity.  Fading caramel keeps the final impression from becoming oak-dominant.
Why It’s Not Higher:  Remains closely aligned with the latter Palate.  Does not introduce any meaningful new layer of flavor.
Rating Justification:  Length.  Persistent texture.  Controlled proof warmth.  Identity is reinforced without bitterness or moving excessively dry.

Value – 4.8/5

At $70, Woodinville Single Barrel #12040 represents a very strong Value.  It provides seven years of maturity, an individually selected barrel, cask-strength intensity, and a quality level that easily competes up against highly regarded bourbons from more established producing regions.  It is best suited to enthusiasts, but an adventurous newer drinker could enjoy exploring by experimenting with lowering the proof.

Neat at full proof, the transition from sweetness into rye and oak spice is most dramatic.  Proofed down to approximately 104, the deeper caramel and buttery sweetness became more prominent, the creamy texture improved, and the spice softened without losing flavor or Finish length.  A large rock should also work well, although using this bourbon in a cocktail would risk covering up the development that makes it special.

Woodinville 7YO Single Barrel (#12040) Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Woodinville Single Barrel Bourbon #12040 achieves what it appears intended to do.  It takes the traditional character found in Woodinville’s flagship and elevates it.

Whether enjoyed at 115.90 proof where its dramatic expansion shines or reduced closer to 104 for greater sweetness and balance, this is a bourbon Woodinville should be proud of, and one that can hold its own alongside any of the more traditional bourbon producing regions.

Verdict – 4.7/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3