Woodinville Straight Bourbon Port Cask Finish

I gotta give over to the fact that Woodinville in any capacity just ain’t my thing. I didn’t like their straight bourbon much - too astringent to my tongue - but liked it okay enough in a Boulevardier to feel compelled to try this port finish after reading (breath intake) So. Many. Hyper-excellent. Reviews. But the joy experienced by so many found no purchase on my palate. The port finish added a musty funk that, like in a bad marriage, both fought with and pulled out the worst in that astringent young corn of the bourbon base. Also like in a bad marriage, I keep trying it again, like if I just get it at the right time it will be transcendent. No dice. Now after half the bottle, this is a drain pour for me, an exceptionally rare decision. In fact, the only reason I gave this a 1.75 is because I included 1.5 points to recognize that it’s probably not you, Woodinville; it’s probably just me.

First time trying anything from Woodinville. Port is really prominent on the nose. Smells like it's going to be a real treat. Grape jam, toasted vanilla. The palate, however, fails to deliver. Really disjointed. Starts with the rich port, then transitions into a rather flat and cheap-tasting bourbon note. Finishes bitter with a lingering cough syrupy quality. Not pleasant at all on the finish. I'd say this is a good example of secondary finishing on bourbon that doesn't work, but in this case it may be that the bourbon isn't great to begin with. Thanks @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington for the sample. I was a little worried that my taste appeared so out of line with the average reviewer on this one, but it looks like my taste was somewhat similar to yours.

Good finish

Alright, hits hard

Chocolate strawberry

Tastes like a hybrid of bourbon and an unpeated scotch. I would have guessed a much higher amount of malted barley than 6 %. The rye peeks through on the nose more than the palate. Very light in the mouth, and the flavors of wood and vanilla and malt dance around distinctly if not in great unison. I think I'll like this more as I drink it, but for now I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it.