Whiskey: Woodford Reserve Straight Malt
Producer: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Woodford Reserve
Whisky Type: Straight Malt
Age: Non-age Statement (NAS)
Region: Kentucky
ABV: 45.2%
Aged in Cask: New Charred American Oak
Price Range: $
Woodford Reserve distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Kentucky, distilling on site since 1812. Elijah Craig, the famous Baptist reverend, founded the distillery and his son Oscar Pepper, who built the current buildings, took over the distillery in 1838.
In 1833, James Crow began working at the distillery and created methods that led to the legal definition of Straight Bourbon. One of these methods is the Sour Mash, which is intended to provide consistency between batches and has become standard in the bourbon industry. The Old Crow brand became a symbol of quality whiskey in the 1830s.
Following Oscar Pepper’s death in 1865, Leopold Labrot & James Graham bought the distillery in 1878 and sold it to Brown-Forman in 1941. The distillery ran until 1968 when it closed due to unfavorable market conditions, and Brown-Forman sold it in 1972.
In 1993, Brown-Forman decided to purchase the distillery again and production started the following year. The Woodford Reserve brand went to the market for the first time in 1996. However, the spirit did not come from Woodford Reserve’s pot stills, but from column stills from Brown Forman’s other distillery in Louisville.
In 2005 pot-distilled bourbon made at the Woodford Reserve Distillery was incorporated into the Woodford Reserve blend for the first time.
The core range of Woodford Reserve includes Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Woodford Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Whiskey, and Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey.
Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Straight Malt
This expression of Woodford Reserve is composed of 51% malted barley, 47% corn, and 2% rye. A straight malt whiskey must have at least 51% malted barley and should not be confused with a single malt whisky, which must have 100% malted barley. This expression was bottled at 45.2% ABV and aged in American oak barrels. Here are the notes for Woodford Reserve Straight Malt.
Nose: Cereal, corn, and caramel aromas. Very nice.
Palate: This is full-bodied and bold with chocolate notes and some spices, but nothing delicate. The whiskey develops a hot, peppery, and bitter note from the oak with just a touch of sweetness. Where is the balance in the flavors? I am not sure. Adding a few drops of water brought down the heat and made the whiskey sweeter, but I am still not impressed.
Finish: Short and bitter. Uninspiring.
Conclusion: Malt and corn flavors try to impose their dominance on the nose. On the palate, neither one wins. Instead, the bitter notes from oak dominate the experience. The nose looked promising, but the palate fell short and lackluster.
A whiskey for those who have an oak-dominated flavor profile. I am going to pass on this one. Let me know your thoughts!
Woodford’s Reserve Double Oaked Review: https://thewhiskyknights.com/woodford-reserve-double-oaked-bourbon-review/
Check out my Woodford Reserve experience review here and check more pictures on my Instagram account.
Score: 2.5/5 ⭐
Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$
