Hannah’s Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon Review
Original review written September 19, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A go-to for many, and it certainly has every right to be. Unique, decently priced, and certainly a daily drinker, Woodford is one to keep in the bunker. 87/100
*Note: I have been enjoying Woodford Reserve for some time already and am familiar with this bourbon. Only now am I reviewing it.
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Woodford Reserve Distillery/Brown-Forman Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=72%; Rye=18%; Malted Barley=10%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $38.95 USD in Idaho
Visit https://brown-forman.com/ for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
This is the type of bourbon to enjoy at a wedding, especially if you already have a slice of wedding cake on your plate. The sweetness of the cake and gentleness of Woodford Reserve will surely make for a great combination and add to the happiness of the event. Don’t be afraid to go back for seconds of either! 😉
Photo by David Holifield on Unsplash
NOSE:
Soft caramel and roasted corn come across the palate first, but this is followed quickly by a dark vanilla and fruit leather. The fruit seems dark, and is most likely currants; however, deep draws do pull out a lighter stone fruit, perhaps apricots. There is an allspice quality mixed particularly strong with the fruit component, but it isn’t at all aggressive. The rest of the sweetness on this nose is definitely more syrupy and even cake-like on some inhales (yellow cake). There is even some milk chocolate mixed with some complementary mint. I can find oak, but is very much buried underneath the other flavors, and perhaps my nose is just seeking for it specifically. The alcohol is incredibly gentle, and even very deep draws aren’t going to hurt an experienced whiskey drinker.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Woodford Reserve has a very soft mouth feel, even when I do a Kentucky chew, which is pleasant.
– Balance: Solid. While I don’t think this is particularly complex with many layers of depth, everything fits in just as it should.
– Visual: Flame in color, this leaves a broken crown and many, long, clinging legs.
– Taste: Corn crosses the palate first along with other grains that make the whole combination quite dusty. Some cherries and currants appear after a moment, along with light vanilla and light caramel. Eventually, some leather starts surfacing with the other flavors, making for an additional layer of depth that I appreciate. The allspice from the nose is still there, and it continues to be mild and very much a part of the supporting cast. It seems to be the component that holds many of these flavors together, even more so than oak. Now, don’t misunderstand, the oak is present, but it is so masked, it is easy to dismiss or not recognize. The sweet flavors of fruit, along with caramel and a newfound cake element definitely dominate the palate.
There is no alcohol burn to be found, just a bourbon warmth. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the alcohol still remains mild, and the cherries kick up quite a bit in intensity at the tip of the tongue. What little burn there is, fades quickly, and the mouth is left salivating for more.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Short. A bit of an aftertaste, but it isn’t strong, and the heat dissipates quickly.
– Between Sips: I find that the corn is the strongest flavor between sips, and there is the slightest hint of oak.
– No More: Caramel and maybe a bit of cherry grows in strength the further into the glass I get, but otherwise, this remains mild and enjoyable.
The empty Glencairn is a very sweet oak; however, again, I don’t know how much oak is truly present here to identify. It’s sweet, and it still smells good either way, and I suppose that’s what’s most important. Overall, a great bourbon, and one I will be keeping on hand as a daily sipper.
WORTH THE PRICE?
At under $40 USD, I think this is excellently priced and a great value bourbon. You get unique flavors, plus a well-known and well-respected name within the industry (without that branding price). This is one to definitely keep in the bunker, as I think Woodford can meet the standards made by anyone with any preferred flavor profile.
WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLER’S SELECT BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 87/100
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