How to Drink Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 05:53 pm

Discover the best way of drinking Woodford Reserve Bourbon: Ideas for tasting, pairing, and enjoying this whiskey.

Written by: J Highland

Key Takeaways

• Best enjoyed neat or with a touch of water to accentuate the caramel taste, mentions Neil Coleman.
• Adding water and ice can enhance different aspects of its flavor.
• Recommended glassware includes rocks glasses and Glencairn glasses.
• Features a nuanced aroma and a harmonious mix of sweet and spicy flavors.
• Suitable for cocktails like Classic Mint Julep, Old Fashioned, and Whiskey Sour.
• Pairs well with smoked brisket, dark chocolate truffles, blue cheese, grilled pork chops, and caramel pecan tart.
• 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.

Best Way to Drink Woodford Reserve Bourbon

“The best way to drink Woodford Reserve Bourbon is neat, with a bit of water to bring out the caramel taste. “, suggests Bourbon expert, Neil Coleman.

This bourbon is smooth and easy to drink, perfect for sipping slowly.

It doesn’t have any strong or bad flavors, and there’s a small bit of spicy cinnamon that makes it interesting.

This bourbon is good for regular drinking, whether you have it straight or with ice.

It’s great for both new and experienced whiskey drinkers.

• Related: Discover Similar Bourbons to Woodford Reserve
• Learn more: Woodford Reserve Website

Adding water

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to adding water to whiskey.

With Woodford Reserve, try beginning with just one drop of water to tweak the taste to your liking.

First, have a sniff and then sip it straight from the bottle.

Slowly add water, but be careful not to overdo it as it might weaken the flavor.

Adding Ice

If you like your bourbon cold, Woodford Reserve Bourbon can be enjoyed on ice.

But I like using one big ice cube to keep dilution low while still cooling the drink.

This way, the bourbon’s full, rich flavors stay intact.

Also, think about getting stainless steel whiskey stones.

They’re great for cooling bourbon without watering down its taste.

Suggested Glassware

I recommend enjoying Woodford Reserve in either a rocks glass or a Glencairn glass, both designed to enhance the sensory experience.

These glasses are crafted to concentrate the bourbon’s rich aromas, elevating the depth and complexity of its flavor profile.

Tasting Notes

Woodford Reserve features a nuanced aroma that combines mint, honey, vanilla, citrus, and a distinct toasted oak smell.

Its taste offers a harmonious mix of sweet and spicy flavors, with a gentle hint of oak.

The initial spicy notes gently give way to a delightful fruity sweetness.

The finish is extended and smooth, with minimal heat, leaving a pleasing aftertaste of caramel and toasted oak.

Woodford Reserve in Cocktails

The Woodford Reserve works nicely in these cocktails:

Classic Mint Julep

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• 8-10 Mint Leaves
• Crushed Ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
2. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice, add Bourbon, and stir.
3. Top with more crushed ice to form a dome shape.
4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• ¼ oz Simple Syrup
• 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
• Orange Peel
• Ice Cube

Instructions:

1. Combine the simple syrup, bitters, and a single large ice cube in a mixing glass.
2. Add Bourbon and stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Whiskey Sour

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• ½ oz Simple Syrup
• Ice
• Lemon Slice and Cherry for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine Bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.

Food Pairings

Here are five food pairings that complement the flavors of Woodford Reserve:

1. Smoked Brisket: The smoky flavors of the brisket pair wonderfully with the toasty oak and vanilla notes in Woodford Reserve.
2. Dark Chocolate Truffles: The bitterness of dark chocolate enhances the sweet, caramel, and vanilla notes of the bourbon.
3. Blue Cheese: The strong, pungent flavor of blue cheese contrasts nicely with the smooth, sweet profile of Woodford Reserve.
4. Grilled Pork Chops: The charred, smoky flavor of grilled pork complements the spicy and sweet nuances of the bourbon.
5. Caramel Pecan Tart: The sweetness of caramel and the nuttiness of pecans work well with the rich, complex flavors of Woodford Reserve, especially its honey and oak undertones.

Preserving the Bottle

• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Ensure a tight seal to prevent oxidation.
• Use up promptly when the bottle is down to 25% to prevent odd flavor changes.

About Woodford Bourbon

• Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV).
• Aged for around 7 years.
• Woodford’s mash bill is made from 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley.
• Earned gold and double gold medals at the SF World Spirits Competition in 2012, 2013, and 2014.