Sometimes, the best things in life happen by accident. Case in point: the drink sitting in our glasses. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon wasn’t part of some master plan—it was the result of a curious experiment. But before we dive into this paradox of whiskey, let’s talk about some other mistakes that turned into cultural icons.
The Accidental Geniuses Behind Everyday Staples
Think about it—some of the world’s biggest innovations were total flukes. Post-it Notes? That adhesive wasn’t supposed to be weak, but it ended up changing office life forever. Potato chips? A chef named George Crum made them out of pure spite when a customer complained about his fries. Even chocolate chip cookies came from a last-minute ingredient swap by Ruth Wakefield when she ran out of baking chocolate.
And then there’s penicillin—Alexander Fleming found mold growing in a Petri dish and instead of tossing it, he turned it into one of the most life-saving medications of all time. Even the microwave oven was discovered by accident when a scientist realized his chocolate bar melted every time he stood near radar equipment.
But what does all of this have to do with whiskey? More than you’d think.
A Whiskey Experiment Gone Right
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked started as an experiment. Traditionally, distillers used a second barrel to fix bad whiskey—essentially a last-ditch effort to smooth out flaws. But Woodford had a different idea: what if they took great whiskey and made it even better?
The result? A rich, complex bourbon that feels like a whiskey quilt—warm, layered, and full of depth. Here’s how it works:
- First Barrel: The whiskey starts in a heavily charred, No. 4 oak barrel, which caramelizes the sugars and pulls in deep vanilla and spice notes.
- Second Barrel: Unlike the first, this one is toasted for a longer time but lightly charred. This process brings out even more vanilla, chocolate, and caramelized sugar, without adding the bitterness that sometimes comes from over-oaking.
The paradox? This second barreling process actually softens the whiskey while making its flavors bigger and more pronounced. It’s bold, yet smooth—proof that sometimes, breaking the rules is exactly the right move.
The Local Connection
For those in the Black Hills who love a good bourbon, there’s even more reason to try this one. This specific bottle of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked was handpicked by Tomas from Caesar’s Spirits, along with some familiar whiskey-loving faces from Whiskey@Work. After sampling multiple barrels, they landed on this one—and it does not disappoint.
If you can still find a bottle, grab it. This isn’t just whiskey, it’s a testament to how some of the best things in life come from a little bit of curiosity—and a whole lot of happy accidents.
Sláinte!
