Brian’s Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Review
originally reviewed 19-December-2017, amended August-2019
WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLER’S SELECT REVIEW:
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select is a consistently fine bourbon. Each glass never fails to satisfy, even though subsequent tastings have subtle nuances; after all this a batched bourbon (as well noted on the bottle).
WOODFORD RESERVE DISTILLER’S SELECT VITAL STATS:
– Region: Kentucky, USA
– Company: Brown-Forman
– Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery / Brown-Forman Distillers
– Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
– Cask: New charred oak
– Barrel Char: #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 125
– Age: nas
– Label Batch: 3530
– Bottle Number: 1992
– ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
– Price: $36.95 USD in Idaho
Said to be distilled primarily in copper pot stills and 100-year-old cypress wood fermenters, and aged in stone warehouses to better control the maturation process spending about 7 years in new, charred, American oak barrels. After aging, the pot and column still whiskeys are blended prior to bottling.
FOR THE REVIEW
I drank this spirit neat, from a Glencairn glass with daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Hannah.
Check our her review of this bourbon here!
NOSE:
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select is a subtle bourbon. Taking time to coax out its aromas, one can be rewarded with floral notes, combined with the slight sweetness of orange citrus and field corn. Careful consideration yields caramel, toffee, then freshly baked banana bread and yellow cake.
PALATE:
On the tongue and in the mouth, this bourbon is smooth and warming. The banana bread is there along with its blanched walnuts, but ever so subtlety. Caramel apple sneaks in then fades into simple cinnamon baking spice bliss.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While light, creamy, and balanced; there is a soft spicy-smooth contrast. But make note: Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select has no fiery bite what so ever. As the dram is consumed, short legs cling to the Glencairn between each sip and fall back into the reddish gold gloss of a well-loved Irish setter.
FINISH:
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select finishes with as it began: subtle and with an elegantly soft floral finish, without burn (satisfyingly so), albeit only for a few moments as its slight woodiness lingers as if in memory.
MY RATING: 87/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this brand, click Woodford Reserve.
Back to …