Woodford Reserve has added a new rye whiskey to its lineup, and this one gets an extra stay in oak. Announced on October 29, 2026, Double Oaked Rye takes the brand’s Kentucky Straight Rye and finishes it in a second new oak barrel for added depth and sweetness.
What Woodford Reserve says is new about this bottle
According to Woodford Reserve, Double Oaked Rye uses the same double barreling idea that made its Double Oaked Bourbon a staple, but applies that process to rye whiskey for the first time in a permanent release. The company says the whiskey starts as fully matured Kentucky Straight Rye before being moved into a second barrel that is heavily toasted and lightly charred.
Woodford Reserve says that second barrel finish lasts for up to 12 months. On the brand’s product page, the distillery describes the whiskey as being presented in its flagship Double Oaked bottle with green label accents to mark it as a rye expression.
In a company announcement carried by BevNET, Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said, “Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye is where Rye meets the richness of Double Oaked.” She added that the brand brought the same barrel finishing approach used for its bourbon into the rye category to create a more layered whiskey.
That matters for shoppers because Woodford already sells a standard rye whiskey, so this release gives buyers a side by side option within the same house style. For home bartenders, it also signals a rye that may lean richer and rounder than a classic high spice bottle, especially in stirred drinks.
The details that matter before buying
Woodford Reserve lists Double Oaked Rye at 90.4 proof, or 45.2% alcohol by volume. The product is sold in a 750mL bottle, and the company classifies it as Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey finished in a second new oak barrel.
The suggested retail price is $54.99, according to the Woodford Reserve announcement published by BevNET. The company says the whiskey will be available nationally in the United States, as well as at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and through the brand’s website in states where shipping is legal.
Woodford Reserve’s own tasting notes describe a rich amber appearance and aromas and flavors including roasted espresso, caramel, lemon custard, and candied pecan. In the announcement, the company described the color as rich mahogany, a reminder that the extra barrel time is meant to leave a visible mark as well as a flavor one.
For anyone stocking a bar cart for late fall and holiday drinks, those notes point to a rye aimed at richer serves rather than a sharply herbal profile. Woodford Reserve also highlights a Double Oaked Rye Manhattan on its site, pairing 2 oz. of the whiskey with 2/3 oz. sweet vermouth plus aromatic and orange bitters.
Why a second barrel can change the way rye shows up in cocktails
A second oak finish often pushes whiskey toward toastier, dessert-like notes, and that appears to be the lane Woodford Reserve is targeting here. Based on the company’s published tasting notes, Double Oaked Rye keeps rye’s backbone but layers on caramel, nutty sweetness, and a coffee-like edge.
That could make the bottle useful in drinks where a standard rye can read too dry or too peppery for some drinkers. In a Manhattan or Old Fashioned style build, a fuller oak profile may bring more weight without needing extra sweetener from syrups or liqueurs.
It also gives shoppers a clearer choice within the Woodford shelf. The standard rye remains the more familiar pick, while Double Oaked Rye is positioned as the oak-driven alternative with the same 90.4 proof format and a more finishing-forward profile.
Woodford Reserve says Double Oaked Rye is a permanent member of its family of brands, not a limited seasonal bottle. For consumers who like rye but want something closer to the richer profile often associated with double barrel bourbon, this release looks designed to fill that gap.