Woodford Reserve Bourbon Review
By Richard Thomas
Rating: B
Updated August 11, 2014
(Credit: Richard Thomas)
Woodford Reserve is the product of the revived Labrot and Graham Distillery, a National Historic Landmark located in Central Kentucky. While this fine example of straight bourbon whiskey did not enter the market until the 1990s, the distillery dates back to the very roots of bourbon in the Bluegrass in the 1790s. Although it has not been in continuous operation throughout its lifetime (thanks to Prohibition, no truly classic Kentucky distillery has been), Labrot and Graham’s is the oldest of the currently running distilleries in Kentucky, and has names like Elijah Pepper and Dr. James Crow woven into its history.
The Bourbon
Woodford Reserve’s is a small batch, not a single barrel, and is therefore blended. The whiskey was at least partially distilled using traditional copper pots (not column stills, and made in Scotland no less), and aged for six years in oak barrels which have been toasted for 22 minutes and then stored in the stone warehouses at the picturesque Labrot and Graham distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky. The stone walls are an important aspect of the aging process, as they are better insulators than the more traditional wood warehouse. As a result, the temperature inside the warehouse changes only slowly through the seasons, resulting in a more predictable aging process. The standard Woodford Reserve is bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% alcohol).
Woodford Reserve has a distinctly woody nose, but comes across the palate with a smooth, even balance of flavors. The whiskey is a little smoky, a little sweet and a little fiery, all characteristics of a fine bourbon. The finish is smooth and without scorch. I’ve long had a soft spot for Woodford Reserve as an outstanding middle-of-the-road bourbon, ideal for the afficianado to sip on or to use to introduce friends to the wonderful world of bourbon whiskey.
The Price
Woodford Reserve is usually priced at $35 per bottle, making it a major bang-for-your-buck bottle of whiskey.
Awards
The standard label of Woodford Reserve won a double gold from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2001 and 2005, double gold from the World Spirits Competition, and a gold at the International Wine and Spirits Competition. The whiskey has also won a gold from the International Review of Spirits, and a Best Bourbon in Show from the New England International Whisky Festival. It was a three-time winner of “Best Bourbon” from the reader’s poll in Kentucky magazine (a periodical where the readership surely knows its straight bourbon whiskey).
I first tried Woodford Reserve in South Korea, purchasing a bottle during my stay in Seoul at the Dragon Hill….. absolutely the go to bourbon for any occasion, any time… treat yourself to a taste of this exceptionally fine spirit and you’ll be glad you did.
I have to disagree a bit from the review. Woodford Reserve is one of the greatest bourbons I have ever tasted. There is an explosion of flavors on the nose and taste. Maple syrup is most evident, with lots of other things going on , making it delicious and interesting to drink. There is a long finish with at pretty good zing at the end. A little water or on the rocks kills the fire and makes for a great sipper. 10 out of 10.
Only a B?
Middle of the road?
Which rates an A then?
Or, an A+?
Pretty good stuff here.
Click on the “A” category and see! I’m fond of Woodford and it’s a go-to bourbon for me. It helped me get my ex-wife into bourbon. That said, if I gave whiskeys like Woodford even an A-, it wouldn’t leave much room for the superior whiskeys that justifiably merit higher grades.
Went on the Corn to Cork tour, and it’s well worth it. I got to taste Woodford uncut, unfiltered out of the barrel. Very, very good expression at 125 proof. To me they ruin it by cutting it so much. At $30ish there are better bourbons to be had. I may put it as a B-, only because I’ve tasted what it could be. But generally agree with the B.
Nice review and WR is good stuff, but not as good as Brown Foreman would like us to believe.
Part of the hype is letting us know they use old copper pot stills in a really old distillery.
Well, only part of the whiskey is made from this distillate. The rest comes from Old Forester in Louisville.
But it’s all wrapped up real pretty in a fancy bottle with an equally fancy wooden topped natural cork.
I feel I’m paying extra for things that don’t make it taste any better.
Want a great bourbon? Try one of the Heaven Hill old name bottled-in-bond releases that range from $12 – $15 in a screw top, plain-jane bottle with no back label. 100% classic bourbon, 0% hype.
I’ve read all the reviews, wow what are you nay sayers drinking? I too have been to the woodford distillery twice on purpose. Great bourbon. Have tried a lot of others and for a bourbon that has great oak and spice this one should be rated higher. Great comfort whiskey.
A- B+ as far as whiskeys go this one is top shelf. Not only for the whiskey officianato or the 1st timer has all the right notes