Best Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 08:25 pm

Woodford Reserve: Exploring the Finest Selections

Drawing from the expertise of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, let’s dive into the world of Woodford Reserve bourbon, exploring its finest expressions.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Best Woodford Reserve for Each Use and Taste
• Woodford Reserve Malt: Perfect for those who enjoy a sweeter, less complex whiskey. Ideal for easy sipping due to its malt and chocolate notes.
• Woodford Reserve Wheat: Great for sippers who like a smooth whiskey with a spicy twist. Works well both neat and in cocktails.
• Woodford Reserve Rye: Recommended for newcomers to rye whiskey or those who prefer a smoother rye with a balance of spice and sweetness.
• Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon: A classic choice for everyday enjoyment, offering a balanced blend of sweetness and spice.
• Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: Best for those seeking a richer, deeper flavor with added complexity from extra aging. Excellent neat or on the rocks.
• Woodford Reserve Brandy Cask: Ideal for bourbon enthusiasts looking for a unique twist, with its rich notes of dried fruit and baking spices.
• Woodford Reserve Very Fine Rare Bourbon: Suited for luxury sipping, featuring a complex blend of aged whiskeys with a smooth, refined taste.
• Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Woodford Reserve Malt: A Delicate Malt Whiskey for Easy Sipping

• Nose: Molasses, chocolate, malt
• Palate: Malt, chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, dark fruit
• Finish: Oak, spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Woodford Reserve Malt offers a delightful aroma of molasses, chocolate, and hints of malt. The creamy texture carries over to the palate, where sweet malt flavors take center stage, accented by vanilla, chocolate, brown sugar, and a touch of dark fruit. The finish is elegant, with oak and spice adding a pleasant warmth without overwhelming the sweetness.

While categorized as a whiskey due to its mash bill, it leans towards the lighter and more approachable profile of a malt whiskey. This makes it a good choice for casual sipping or for those who prefer a sweeter and less complex whiskey experience, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Woodford Reserve Wheat: A Smooth Sip with a Spicy Twist

• Nose: Oak, bread, cinnamon, apple
• Palate: Cherry, bread, brown sugar, baking spice, oak
• Finish: Cinnamon, apple, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Woodford Reserve Wheat entices with a unique aroma – a blend of oak, bread, and hints of cinnamon apple. The creamy texture on the palate complements the sweet flavor profile, featuring notes of cherry, brioche, brown sugar, and baking spice alongside a touch of oak. The finish is what truly sets this wheat whiskey apart. Unlike other Woodford Reserve offerings, it leans dry, leaving a lingering taste of cinnamon, apple, and spice.

This smooth whiskey, with its vanilla and apple notes, is enjoyable neat or on the rocks. The unique dry finish adds an interesting twist, making it a good choice for those who appreciate a touch of complexity alongside sweetness.

Woodford Reserve Rye: A Smooth Introduction to Rye Whiskey

• Nose: Oak, vanilla, rye spice
• Palate: Ripe fruit, rye spice, vanilla, oak
• Finish: Long, vanilla, tobacco, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Woodford Reserve Rye offers a rye twist on the classic bourbon profile. The aroma is a welcoming blend of oak, vanilla, and rye spice. The taste follows suit, featuring a pleasant balance of mild rye spice, vanilla, and a touch of apricot. The rye brings a hint of intrigue without overwhelming the smoothness. The texture is luxuriously thick, and the finish leaves a warm aftertaste of vanilla, oak, and spice.

Enjoyed neat, this rye whiskey is perfect for those who want to explore the rye category without sacrificing smoothness. Adding ice further emphasizes the smooth, vanilla-rich character. This balanced and approachable rye makes it a top choice for those seeking a new favorite.

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon: A Balanced Classic for Everyday Enjoyment

• Nose: Rich in mint, honey, vanilla, citrus
• Palate: Sweet oak, cinnamon, mint, ripe fruit
• Finish: Lingering warmth and caramel
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon is a quintessential Kentucky sipper. The aroma is inviting, offering a gentle blend of wood, mint, vanilla, and caramel. The taste lives up to the nose, featuring a delightful balance of sweetness and spice with notes of oak, cinnamon, and mint. The finish is warming and satisfying, leaving a lingering oak flavor.

This bourbon is renowned for its smooth, oily texture and exceptional balance. Free from any harsh notes, it’s a favorite among whiskey enthusiasts. The smooth, cinnamon-rich profile makes it a great choice for everyday enjoyment, perfect neat or on the rocks.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: Richly Rewarded with Extra Aging

• Nose: Oak, butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, old leather
• Finish: Long, vanilla, butterscotch, espresso coffee
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked takes their bourbon a step further with an additional aging process. The result is evident in the warm aroma of oak, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. The luxurious mouthfeel is smooth and buttery, carrying flavors of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and hints of aged leather and oak char. The finish is long and lively, lingering with vanilla, butterscotch, and subtle espresso notes.

Compared to standard Woodford Reserve, the Double Oaked boasts a richer sweetness and a deeper vanilla-butterscotch character. This extra layer of complexity is achieved without sacrificing smoothness, making it a truly satisfying sipping experience.

Woodford Reserve Brandy Cask: A Unique Bourbon Experience

• Nose: Caramel, dried fruit, vanilla, toasted oak
• Palate: Baking spice, caramel, dark chocolate, raisins, almond
• Finish: Baking spice, dark chocolate, oak spice
• Alcohol Content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Woodford Reserve Brandy Cask offers a unique twist on the classic bourbon. After maturing, it spends two years in American brandy casks, resulting in a complex aroma of caramel, dried fruit, and oaky undertones.

On the palate, it combines familiar bourbon flavors like baking spice and caramel with hints of dark chocolate, raisins, and almonds. The finish is well-balanced, lingering with dark chocolate, baking spices, and a subtle touch of bitter oak.

For an even more pronounced brandy character, adding a splash of water elevates the experience, making this Woodford Reserve a perfect choice for curious bourbon enthusiasts seeking a unique and rewarding taste.

Woodford Reserve Very Fine Rare Bourbon: A Luxurious Sipping Experience

• Nose: Baking spice, tobacco, old leather, toasty oak
• Palate: Oak, ripe fruit, vanilla, honey
• Finish: Oak, fruit, brown sugar
• Alcohol Content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

This special release from Woodford Reserve boasts a blend that includes some exceptionally aged, 17-year-old whiskeys. The aroma is a captivating mix of baking spice, tobacco, hints of leather, and toasty oak.

The first sip reveals a luxuriously creamy texture, followed by flavors of oak, ripe fruit, vanilla, and honey, all beautifully balanced by oak and warming barrel spice. The finish lingers with toasty oak and a touch of brown sugar sweetness.

Rich, flavorful, and remarkably smooth, this bourbon offers a well-rounded experience without any harshness. It’s ideal for sipping neat, allowing its complex flavors to shine through. With its exceptional quality and luxurious taste, the Very Fine Rare Bourbon makes a fantastic gift for any bourbon aficionado.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do the Mash Bills of Woodford Reserve Whiskeys Compare?

• Bourbon and Double Oaked: 10%-18% malted barley, 72% corn, the remainder being rye.
• Wheat: 20% malted barley, 52% wheat, 8% rye, 20% corn.
• Malt: 51% malted barley, 2% rye, 47% corn.
• Rye: 14% malted barley, 53% rye, 33% corn.
• Very Fine Rare Bourbon: 10%-18% malted barley, 72% corn, remaining percentage rye.

What are the Prices and Aging Periods of Woodford Reserve Whiskeys?

• Bourbon: Around $40, aged 7 +/- years.
• Double Oaked: Approximately $60, aged 7.75 years.
• Wheat: Around $39, aged 4 years.
• Malt: About $40, aged 4 years.
• Rye: Approximately $40, aged 4 years.
• Very Fine Rare Bourbon: Around $110, aged 4-17 years.
• All releases are bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).

What is the Historical Significance of the Woodford Reserve Distillery?

• The distillery, formerly known as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery and Labrot & Graham Distillery, is on the National Register of Historic Places in Versailles, KY.
• Established by Elijah Pepper, it saw significant advancements in bourbon-making under James C. Crow.
• Owned by Brown-Forman from 1941 until the late 1960s, it was later sold and eventually re-acquired by Brown-Forman.