In the heart of Washington state, a bold experiment has been brewing, one that’s about to shake up the whiskey world. Woodinville Whiskey Co., a distillery known for its dedication to craft and quality, is set to release a limited-edition Tequila Finish Woodinville Flagship Bourbon on May 3, 2025. With only 2,000 bottles available, this unique spirit is the result of a daring idea that even co-founder and head distiller Brett Carlile initially hesitated to pursue. But curiosity won out, and the result is a bourbon that’s unlike anything whiskey lovers have tasted before.
Also if you have tasted any of Woodinville's other products you will know this is bound to be slam dunk!
A Surprising Pairing: Tequila Meets Bourbon
Brett Carlile, a seasoned distiller with a deep respect for tradition, wasn’t sure about blending the worlds of tequila and bourbon. “It’s something I always wanted to try but was afraid to take a stab at,” he admitted. The idea of combining the smoky, caramel notes of bourbon with the agave-driven complexity of tequila seemed risky. But Carlile’s curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to give it a shot. The outcome? A bourbon that he and his business partner, Orlin Sorensen, describe as a “real winner.”
Image credit: Woodinville
This Tequila Finish Woodinville Flagship Bourbon, priced at $69.99 and bottled at 100 proof, is a testament to what happens when innovation meets craftsmanship. The marriage of these two spirits creates a flavor profile that’s both familiar and surprising, offering whiskey enthusiasts a chance to experience something truly new.
The Journey of a Unique Bourbon
The Omlin family has been farming in Quincy, Washington, for four generations, and this is where the story of this bourbon starts. Woodinville's bourbon is made from carefully chosen grains that are produced on their farms and are known for their flavor and quality. The grains then travel to Woodinville, a small town in Western Washington renowned for its flourishing wine and craft beer sector, across the Cascade Mountains. The character of the whiskey is greatly influenced by the surrounding surroundings. The air is filled with wild yeasts from neighboring breweries and vineyards, which add to the unique terroir that distinguishes Woodinville's spirits.
Image credit: Woodinville
New-make whiskey is made from the grains at the distillery and sent back across the mountains to mature in brand-new American oak barrels. As the bourbon ages, the rich flavors of vanilla, caramel, and oak are added by these barrels, which are made from wood that has been seasoned outdoors for 18 to 24 months. The whiskey is aged for almost six years, giving it the rich, nuanced character for which Woodinville is renowned.
But the journey doesn’t end there. Carlile had a vision to take this bourbon to the next level, and that’s where the tequila barrels come in. In a secretive corner of the Omlin family farm, known as Warehouse 1, Carlile and his team embarked on their bold experiment. Warehouse 1 is a special place—a barrelhouse where the distillery conducts its most innovative projects. Here, they sourced extra añejo tequila barrels, which had previously held tequila aged for at least three years, and filled them with the nearly six-year-old bourbon.
Aging Through Washington’s Extremes
For months, the bourbon sat in these tequila barrels, surviving Central Washington's bitterly cold winters and sweltering summers. Dramatic temperature fluctuations in the area were essential to the whiskey's aging phase because they allowed it to engage intimately with the wood and take in the delicate notes that the extra añejo tequila had left behind. Carlile and Sorensen tasted the bourbon as it developed and frequently checked in on the barrels. They knew they had something unique when they took a sip a few months ago. The agave, citrus, and spice aromas that were supplied by the tequila barrels enhanced the bourbon's natural sweetness without dominating it.
This careful, hands-on approach is a hallmark of Woodinville’s process. Every step, from selecting the grains to choosing the barrels, is guided by a commitment to quality. The result is a bourbon that’s not just a drink but a story—one of Washington’s land, people, and creativity.
A Limited Release with High Demand
With fewer than 2,000 bottles produced, the Tequila Finish Woodinville Flagship Bourbon is a rare find. The first 500 bottles will be available at the Woodinville distillery on Saturday, May 3, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. To ensure as many fans as possible get a chance to snag one, the distillery is limiting purchases to one bottle per person during this initial release. For those who can’t make it to Woodinville, additional bottles will go on sale online at woodinvillewhiskeyco.com on May 5, 2025.
Image credit: Menachem Kossowsky/Woodinville
It should come as no surprise that there would be a strong demand given the excitement surrounding its release. Whiskey fans and collectors alike are excited to obtain a bottle, not just because of its distinctive flavor but also because of its significance in Woodinville's expanding history. This tequila-finished bourbon is a superb example of the distillery's reputation for pushing the envelope while adhering to the craft of whiskey-making.
What Makes This Bourbon Special?
What, therefore, distinguishes this bourbon from the myriad others available? It combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a strong bond with Washington's natural environment. The whiskey is influenced by the harsh weather of Central Washington, the grains from the Omlin family farm, and the wild yeasts of Woodinville. You have a spirit that is both nuanced and approachable when you combine that with the impact of extra añejo tequila barrels.
Image credit: Menachem Kossowsky/Woodinville
The bourbon's greater alcohol concentration, which enhances its flavors without overpowering the palate, makes it a strong beverage at 100 percent. Alongside the classic flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak found in bourbon, the tequila finish adds a subtle touch by bringing in traces of citrus and agave. This whiskey encourages you to take your time, enjoy every sip, and recognize the effort that went into making it.
A Must-Have for Whiskey Lovers
The Tequila Finish Woodinville Flagship Bourbon is a must-try for whiskey lovers or anyone who just appreciates a good tale. It's an opportunity to sample the outcomes of a daring experiment that required years of perseverance and risk-taking. This limited release provides a chance to try something genuinely different, regardless of how long you've been a fan of Woodinville Whiskey Co. or how new you are to their products.
Mark your calendars for May 3, 2025, if you’re near Woodinville, or set a reminder for the online release on May 5. With only 2,000 bottles available, they’re sure to sell out quickly. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Washington whiskey history—and to discover why tequila and bourbon might just be the perfect pairing after all.
