Last Updated on: 11th June 2024, 01:03 am
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover everything you need to know about Woodford Reserve Bourbon in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Reviewed by: J Highland
Woodford Reserve: A Smooth & Balanced Crowd-Pleaser (Great for Everyday Sipping & Beginners)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Woodford Reserve’s popularity seems well-deserved based on your experience. Here’s a breakdown of its key strengths and a consideration for cocktails:
Strengths:
- Balanced & Approachable: This bourbon offers a well-balanced flavor profile with a smooth and slightly spicy character. The absence of harsh notes makes it very approachable for all levels of bourbon drinkers.
- Rich & Enjoyable Neat or On-the-Rocks: Woodford Reserve shines on its own, allowing you to appreciate the full flavor profile neat, or you can enjoy it over ice for a chilled and refreshing drink.
- Great Everyday Bourbon: The smooth taste and balanced profile make it a fantastic choice for casual sipping or everyday enjoyment.
- Stepping Stone for Bourbon Enthusiasts: For those who have explored introductory bourbons like Jack Daniel’s or Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve serves as a natural progression, offering more complexity and bridging the gap to more intricate expressions.
Considerations:
- Subtle for Cocktails: While delicious for sipping, the flavor profile of Woodford Reserve might be a bit subtle for cocktails where bolder bourbons might stand out better.
Verdict:
Woodford Reserve is a crowd-pleasing bourbon for good reason. It’s smooth, balanced, and offers a delightful drinking experience.
The absence of harsh flavors makes it approachable for all levels of bourbon drinkers. It’s a great choice for everyday sipping, neat or on the rocks.
It serves as a fantastic stepping stone for those who are venturing beyond introductory bourbons and towards a world of richer and more nuanced expressions.
However, if you’re looking for a bourbon to make a big statement in cocktails, you might want to consider a bolder option, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
- Related: Alternatives to Woodford Reserve
- Learn more: Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Website
Tasting Notes
- 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
- Similar to: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Woodford Reserve greets with a pleasing nose, presenting gentle scents of toasted oak, mint, vanilla, and caramel.
When savored, this bourbon provides a blend of sweetness and spice on the palate.
Its smooth taste carries a moderate presence of oak, complemented by notes of cinnamon, mint, and an enjoyable hint of fruitiness.
The finish serves as a gratifying conclusion, revealing further layers of caramel sweetness and toasted oak, leaving a lasting warmth that lingers pleasantly.
FAQ
A quick FAQ to address your doubts:
How to drink it?
Woodford Reserve can be enjoyed in multiple ways. It can be savored neat, with a dash of water to release caramel notes, or on the rocks using a large ice ball.
While it is versatile for drinking straight, I prefer using Woodford Reserve Rye for whiskey cocktails due to its rich and spicy flavor profile.
Also read: How to Drink Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Mash bill
The mash bill for Woodford Reserve consists of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley.
This combination adds a subtle spicy touch to the bourbon.
Bourbons with higher percentages of rye, around 30%, tend to have a more pronounced spiciness, such as Bulleit Bourbon.
Age
Woodford Reserve ages for approximately 7 years.
It is stored in warehouses that utilize heat cycling, a process involving controlled cooling and heating of the air to enhance the aging process.
Is it chill-filtered?
Yes, Woodford Reserve is chill-filtered, which is a common practice for bourbons in this price range.
Chill-filtering prevents the whiskey from becoming hazy.
However, some purists believe that this process may diminish certain flavors.
Is it good for beginners?
Woodford Reserve may not be the best bourbon for beginners due to its complexity.
Those new to bourbon may find sweeter and more approachable bourbons like Maker’s Mark better suited to their palate.
Awards & Accolades
Woodford Reserve has earned Gold and Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for four consecutive years (2011-2014).
Woodford Reserve: Price
Prices for Woodford Reserve vary by country and are stated in the local currency:
- United States: $40
- Canada: $48
- UK: £30
- Australia: $60
Alcohol content
Woodford Reserve is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), which is the minimum proof required to be considered a good bourbon!
Does it expire?
Alcoholic beverages do not have an expiration date.
When stored properly in a cool and dark place, Woodford Reserve can last for years.
However, once the bottle’s content is down to 25%, it is recommended to consume it sooner to avoid any potential deterioration in flavor.
Who owns Woodford Reserve?
Woodford Reserve is owned by Brown-Forman, a US-based company. Brown-Forman also owns other renowned brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Old Forester.
Each brand is produced independently at its respective distillery.
The Woodford Reserve Distillery has a rich history, originally founded by Elijah and Oscar Pepper in the 1800s.
Under the leadership of Oscar and James Crow, the distillery underwent reform and modernization, contributing to the production of whiskey in the United States.
Woodford Reserve has made significant contributions to concepts like sour mash and yeast propagation.
How did I review Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.
Woodford Reserve: Specs
| Type of Whisky | Bourbon |
| Age statement | 7 Years |
| Proof | 90 |
| ABV | 45% |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Yes |
| Warm? | Just a bit |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | No |
| Good for cocktails? | Not the best |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |
| Kosher | Yes |