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Just a short drive from Seattle, situated in the heart of western Washington wine and whiskey country, Woodinville Whiskey Co.<\/a> has carved out a name for itself with its bourbon and rye. Known for a hands-on approach and a commitment to local sourcing, the distillery has catered to whiskey lovers with both its flagship expressions and its creative, limited-release finishes<\/a>.<\/p>\n In May 2025, Woodinville is bridging the flavors of Washington State and Mexico with the release of its Woodinville Special Limited Release Straight Bourbon Finished in Tequila Barrels. It\u2019s a meeting of two worlds\u2014northwest craftsmanship meets Mexican soul.<\/p>\n This special release begins with Woodinville\u2019s signature straight bourbon: a mashbill of 72% corn, 22% rye, and 6% malted barley, made with grain grown on the Omlin family farm in Central Washington. After an 84-hour fermentation, the whiskey was distilled on a Kothe still. It entered 53-gallon Cooper\u2019s Select barrels\u2014crafted by Independent Stave Co. from staves air-seasoned for 18-24 months\u2014with a heavy #5 char, resting for nearly six years before its final journey.<\/p>\n That journey? An 8-month finish in barrels that once held extra a\u00f1ejo tequila. While Woodinville hasn\u2019t disclosed the exact source of these tequila casks, the distillery is part of the Mo\u00ebt Hennessy family\u2014which also owns Volcan de Mi Tierra<\/a>, from NOM 1523\u2014making it a fair bet that these deeply seasoned barrels came from their tequila operation.<\/p>\n Distilled in the temperate west and aged in the more extreme climate of central Washington, Woodinville offers a collaboration between Washington State and Mexico that resulted in less than 2000 bottles. Tequila-finished bourbon is becoming an increasingly familiar presence in the American whiskey scene. Yet, many enthusiasts remain skeptical, arguing that the flavors of tequila and bourbon simply don\u2019t mix. So, did Woodinville manage to pull off a tequila-finished bourbon that actually works? Let\u2019s dive in and find out.<\/p>\n The nose opens with bold aromas of burnt brown sugar and smoky, charred orange peel, offering immediate depth and intrigue. These intense notes gradually give way to a vegetal layer reminiscent of roasted butternut squash. Hints of wintergreen and subtle traces of black licorice add dimension, wrapping up the nosing experience.<\/p>\n On the palate, dried apples and clove take the lead, followed by a lively midpalate where passionfruit mingles with black licorice and a blast of grapefruit zest. The mouthfeel is dry and distinctly crisp, lending the bourbon a perceived heat that outpaces its 100-proof label.<\/p>\n The finish introduces mild tobacco that mingles with earthy cooked agave, evolving into an exceptionally long finale. Lingering notes of black pepper and crisp grapefruit zest continue to echo long after the last sip.<\/p>\n The extra a\u00f1ejo tequila cask finish adds an interesting twist to Woodinville\u2019s classic bourbon profile. While the bold, familiar base still dominates, the subtle vegetal notes from the tequila cask manage to shine through just enough to add some character. It\u2019s not a radical departure, but it\u2019s a well-executed, limited-edition variation that fans of the brand will likely appreciate. A solid, thoughtful release that\u2019s worth a try\u2014especially for collectors or loyalists.<\/p>\n 100 proof.<\/p>\n
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