Woodinville Whiskey Straight Rye 750ML

Woodinville Whiskey Straight Rye 750ML is a 100% rye mashbill straight rye whiskey bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) in a 750ml bottle from Woodinville, Washington. This expression earned a Double Gold Medal and Best Rye Whiskey at the 2017 American Distilling Institute Craft Spirits Awards, and has also collected a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Woodinville, Washington, USA  |  100% Rye Mashbill  |  Distillery: Woodinville Whiskey Company

Production & Heritage

Woodinville Whiskey Company sources all of its rye grain from the Omlin family farm in Quincy, Washington, maintaining a single-source grain supply that gives the distillery direct control over raw materials. The whiskey is mashed, distilled, and barreled at the Woodinville facility, then trucked east over the Cascade Mountains to private barrel houses in central Washington, where extreme temperature swings between scorching summers and freezing winters accelerate the interaction between spirit and oak. Before coopering, the barrel wood is seasoned outdoors for eighteen months — exposed to open air, rain, wind, sun, and snow — to soften harsh tannins, then slowly toasted and heavily charred to draw out deeper caramel and spice character from the wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced cinnamon and clove, followed by fruit leather and candied stone fruit. Deeper investigation reveals layers of marzipan, peppery spice, and subtle peach and blueberry notes.

Taste: The entry is rich with caramel and honey, giving way to a mouth-filling mid-palate of ginger, cinnamon, and citrus. As it develops, wood spice, dark chocolate, and lemon-raspberry brightness emerge, balanced by a medium-bodied but surprisingly rich texture.

Finish: The finish is long and peppery, with caramel and chocolate flowing over pleasant oak overtones. Lingering clove and black pepper hold steady as the sweetness gradually fades.

How to Drink Woodinville Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding way to experience this rye — water opens up the fruit and marzipan aromatics without diluting the 90-proof backbone. On the rocks, the whiskey stays cohesive and flavorful as the ice slowly opens it up.

In cocktails, Woodinville Rye is a strong candidate for a Manhattan, where its caramel sweetness and peppery spice complement sweet vermouth beautifully. A Sazerac highlights the cinnamon and clove character against absinthe and bitters. In an Old Fashioned, the 100% rye mashbill provides enough spice to stand up to sugar and citrus without becoming one-dimensional.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates craft American distilling
• Building a rye whiskey tasting flight alongside bourbon to explore grain-driven differences
• Mixing elevated cocktails at a home bar where rye spice is the backbone
• Celebrating milestones with a Double Gold award-winning American spirit

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Woodinville Rye taste like? Woodinville Rye leads with caramel and honey sweetness, followed by cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper spice, with dark chocolate and citrus notes running through the mid-palate. The finish is long and peppery with pleasant oak and lingering caramel.

How does Woodinville Rye compare to Bulleit Rye? Both are high-rye expressions, but Woodinville uses a 100% rye mashbill versus Bulleit Rye's 95% rye and 5% corn, and Woodinville is bottled at a slightly higher 90 proof compared to Bulleit Rye's 90 proof. The key distinction lies in Woodinville's single-source Washington grain and its unique cross-Cascades aging program, which produces a noticeably fruit-forward and full-bodied profile compared to Bulleit's leaner, more herbal character.

Is Woodinville Rye good for sipping neat? At 45% ABV, Woodinville Rye is well-suited for neat sipping — the proof is high enough to deliver concentrated flavor but approachable enough that it does not require water to tame heat.

Where is Woodinville Rye made? Woodinville Rye is distilled at the Woodinville Whiskey Company in Woodinville, Washington, using 100% rye grain grown on the Omlin family farm in Quincy, Washington. After barreling, the whiskey is aged in private barrel houses on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington.

What foods pair well with Woodinville Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork works well, as the whiskey's peppery spice mirrors smoke and char. Dark chocolate or chocolate truffles echo the cocoa notes in the finish. Aged cheddar or Gruyère balances the caramel sweetness with savory richness. Pecan pie plays off the honey and toasted wood character. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and dried fruits complement both the spice and stone-fruit aromas.

What sizes does Woodinville Rye come in? Woodinville Whiskey Straight Rye is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Woodinville Rye worth the price? Woodinville Rye positions as a premium craft rye whiskey, sitting above mass-market brands but below ultra-premium limited releases. Its 100% rye mashbill, single-source grain program, and multiple Double Gold medals validate the price within its tier.

Why Woodinville Rye?

Very few American rye whiskeys use a 100% rye mashbill and single-source their grain from one family farm — that commitment to traceability sets Woodinville apart from the crowded craft whiskey market. The unconventional aging strategy, trucking barrels over the Cascades to exploit central Washington's dramatic temperature extremes, produces a depth of oak interaction rarely found in similarly priced ryes. Double Gold medals from both the American Distilling Institute and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirm that the approach delivers results. For drinkers seeking a rye with genuine regional identity and award-winning quality, Woodinville Rye makes a compelling case on both fronts.