Woodford Reserve is adding its first permanent whiskey expression since 2019: Double Oaked Rye, a new release inspired by an idea from master distiller emeritus Chris Morris and developed under master distiller Elizabeth McCall.

The whiskey starts with Woodford Reserve Rye, made from a mash bill of 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley. After aging for five to seven years, it is transferred to a second charred white oak barrel for an average of eight additional months. The extra barrel aging is intended to bring richness and complexity to the rye.

Morris first imagined the expression years ago, hoping to create a full-bodied whiskey that would stand apart in the expanding rye category. McCall said the launch carried special pressure because she wanted to fulfill his vision while introducing a product expected to become an important part of the brand.

The new rye is part of Woodford’s Double Oaked family, which began with its bourbon expression in 2012. That whiskey is finished in a second barrel that is deeply toasted and lightly charred—a process that helped popularize toasted-oak whiskey.

At a media tasting, McCall described the new whiskey as a meeting of rye and Double Oaked richness. Its flavor profile emphasizes baking spices rather than the sharper spice commonly associated with rye, with notes likened to cinnamon rolls, caramel macchiato and glazed doughnuts. McCall also recommended it neat or in cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye will be available nationwide beginning November 5, 2026, with a suggested retail price of $54.99. More information is available on the Woodford Reserve website.