OVERVIEW:

On December 16th, 2021 David Jennings was joined by Rare Bird 101 members Eric, Chris, and Erik for their very first Woodinville barrel selection. They were hosted by Jon Trainer (Commercial Director) and Ariel Jahn (Brand Ambassador) from the Woodinville distillery. As you’ll see from the selection video, the team was blown away by the quality, and while there was some debate a clear winner emerged. We hope you’ll enjoy “Deus Ex Machina“.

BARREL DETAILS:

Woodinville Single Barrel Bourbon Deus Ex Machina – barrel #6209 – 118.16-proof (full barrel strength) straight bourbon whiskey – no age stated (over five years) – selected by Russells Renegades for Keg N Bottle – distilled, bottled, and aged by Woodinville Whiskey Co., Woodinville, WA

TASTING NOTES: by David Jennings (Rare Bird 101)

Vanilla, old fashioned donut, toffee popcorn, brown sugar glaze, baking spice; caramel, toasted honey, toffee candy, cream soda, sugary oak; medium-long finish w/ peppery vanilla bean, sweet charred oak, fountain cola, confectioners sugar

FINAL THOUGHTS: by David Jennings (Rare Bird 101)

If yall could see the smile on my face I just love it when a barrel pick comes back and wins you over again. Truth be told, Ive sipped this Woodinville twice today. This afternoons pour was wholly satisfying, but tonights is exhilarating. At the sake of sounding goo-goo over our own barrel selection, remember that this one came down to a tie breaker. There were no losers the night of our pick, but this one this one is special.

First, it sips under proof. In a blind Id probably guess 104-107. Maybe 110 max, but thats a stretch. Second, its a toffee bomb. If you like bourbons loaded with vanilla, caramel, brown sugar glaze, and dashes of baking spice, this is right up your alley. Im also getting an old fashioned donut vibe. If youve ever had a donut fresh out of the fryer, thats what Im talking about. Delicious and dangerously easy to sip.

Woodinville has truly impressed me in the last few months. This barrel only reinforces that. I cant wait for yall to taste this one. And cheers to Chris, Eric, Erik, and last but not least, our own Deus Ex Machina, Dylan, for selecting this excellent whiskey.
Cheers!
dj