Woodford Reserve is a small batch bourbon from one of the oldest distilleries in Kentucky. It’s made in old-fashioned copper pot stills and matured in 100 year-old warehouses made from stone instead of the usual wood. This means temperature changes will occur less sudden as the stone buffers the heat and cold. Woodford Reserve is at least 6 years old.

Woodford Reserve
(43,2%, OB 2009, batch 54)

Nose: tons of vanilla with beautiful undertones of cedar wood, varnish and peppermint. Almonds. Crême brûlée. Some pear and floral notes. There’s even a hint of charcoal. It’s very rich and certainly has an individual character, different from other bourbons.

Mouth: immediately woody (maybe a tad too much, slightly tannic) and spicy. Mint again. Burnt caramel and maple syrup. Something metallic as well (like licking a battery). A little tobacco towards the finish.

Finish: sweet and spicy. Echoes of vanilla. Medium length.

A very attractive and rather complex nose, but on the palate it doesn’t live up to the expectations. The wood kicks in a bit too hard. Well priced: around € 35.

Score: 80/100

4Comments

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1

spectator on 4 December 2009 at 10:10

It is true that the warehouses of Woodford Reserve are made of stone. But during winter they are heated with steam and then allowed to cool of, in 6 week cycles, to get more temperature variation.

I agree that it is a very good bourbon.
2

Pentium on 23 June 2011 at 09:01

You also licked batteries (as a child, I hope ;))?!
Woodford Reserve is one of my favourite Bourbons, though it takes quite some time of learning to appreciate it. Always reminds me of a good Rum, but it certainly got much more. It’s rather dry and full style along with the absence of heavy glue notes I find in many Bourbons (and which I don’t like too much) make it a winner.
Maybe it’s worth to revisit this Bourbon, once you finished your Japanese journey.
3

Ruben on 23 June 2011 at 09:11

Actually I do like (soft) glue notes, and in general I prefer rounded bourbon over the dryness of this Woodford Reserve. It’s a good bourbon for a good price, I’ll try to revisit it soon.

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