Costco has quietly dropped an exciting barrel pick, and Arkansas bourbon drinkers are in for a treat. This time, it’s a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – Barrel Proof Single Barrel, bottled exclusively for Costco members and released at an accessible price point of $88.99.

For Arkansas whiskey fans, this is more than just another private selection. Woodford Reserve almost never offers anything at barrel strength, and this appears to be the first widely accessible barrel-proof Double Oaked ever to hit the Arkansas market.

The standard Woodford Reserve Double Oaked — and even the highly sought-after Double Double Oaked — are both bottled at 90.4 proof, far below this Costco barrel’s 95.91 proof.

This isn’t just another store pick; it’s a genuine deviation from Woodford’s longstanding low-proof bottling strategy. For collectors, fans of Double Oaked, or anyone who loves exploring proof variations, this bottle represents a unique chance to try something Woodford Reserve almost never does.

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🪵 Release Details: Costco’s Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Single Barrel

• Brand: Woodford Reserve
• Expression: Double Oaked – Barrel Finish Select
• Type: Single Barrel
• Bottling Style: Barrel Proof
• Barrel No.: 0095
• Date Selected: 07/18/2025
• Proof: 95.91
• Size: 750ml
• Price: $88.99

While 95.91 proof may not seem “high” compared to some cask strength monsters, that’s exactly what makes this release unusual — Woodford Double Oaked is never bottled above 90.4 proof in retail form.

This barrel offers a rare glimpse of Double Oaked in its natural state, free of the dilution normally applied before bottling.

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🔥 Why This Drop Is Such a Big Deal

Woodford Reserve is known for consistency, polish, and control — but not for releasing whiskey at the proof it comes out of the barrel.

This makes the Costco selection notable because:

• Standard Woodford Reserve Double Oaked:
  • Proof: 90.4
• Double Double Oaked (limited annual release):
  • Proof: 90.4
• Barrel-Proof Double Oaked:
  • Extremely rare
  • Almost never offered to the public
  • Previously limited to private or experimental programs

This Costco single barrel is therefore one of the only ways to taste Double Oaked with minimal dilution, letting its rich caramel, toasted oak, and decadent dessert-like profile shine in a more concentrated form.

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🔬 Barrel Proof vs. Cask Strength — What’s the Difference?

Many whiskey drinkers use these terms interchangeably — and they’re nearly identical — but there is one important distinction many don’t know.

Barrel Proof (U.S. Term)

• Means the whiskey is bottled close to the proof it came out of the barrel
• Small dilution is legally allowed
• Final proof may be within a few degrees of true barrel proof
• Common in American whiskey labeling

Cask Strength (Scotch/International Term)

• Implies zero dilution
• Bottled at exact cask strength
• More strictly associated with undiluted whiskey

In practice:

For 99% of consumers, they mean the same thing — whiskey bottled at its natural strength.
But “barrel proof” has that small degree of legal wiggle room, which some distilleries use for consistency or flavor balancing.

This Costco bottle falls squarely into the “barrel proof” category.

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📍 Arkansas Pricing Note

Costco only has one location in Arkansas (Little Rock), and based on the pricing typically observed there, this bottle is positioned at or below MSRP compared to other retailers in Central Arkansas.

(ArkansasLiquor.com is not affiliated with Costco, but we do visit the store frequently to track local releases.)

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🥃 What to Expect in the Glass

While tasting notes will vary barrel-to-barrel, Double Oaked single barrels traditionally lean into:

• Rich caramel & butterscotch
• Dark chocolate
• Roasted marshmallow
• Toasted oak & baking spice
• Vanilla custard
• A full, syrupy mouthfeel

Barrel #0095 should offer its own unique twist on these signature notes.

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Verdict

If you’re a Woodford Reserve fan — especially if you love Double Oaked — this is a can’t-miss release. The combination of single barrel, barrel proof, and under-$90 pricing makes this one of the stronger Costco bourbon drops this year.