The Bourbon Review: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Owned by Brown Forman this is another relatively new brand in the pantheon of bourbon whiskey being introduced only 29 years ago in 1996.

It’s made in the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Woodford County, Kentucky which is on the site of the former Old Oscar Pepper Distillery. Interestingly Brown Forman bought the site in 1941 only to sell it in 1971 before buying it back again in 1993.

Subsequently they refurbished the distillery and added three Scottish style pot stills on the site as well as 100 year old cypress wood open fermentation vessels.

The bourbon itself is a mix of pot still bourbon made at the Woodford Reserve distillery and column distilled bourbon made at Brown Forman’s distillery in Shively, Kentucky.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 45.2% abv

Mash bill – 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley

Nose: Toffee Apples, vanilla, buttered popcorn, a light pilsner note. Brown sugar, carnations – talcum powder and clove plus some light oak. Orange peel.

Palate: A thin mouthfeel & lightweight body. A sweet arrival with corn syrup & caramelizing brown sugar. A little spice kick of clove and pepper followed by alcohol heat, drying oak and new leather.

Finish: Short but tannic & leathery & astringent. Some citrus notes too.

Score: 5 out of 10

Overall: Definitely a middle of the road dram. Decent nose & an okay palate let down by that astringent finish.

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