Distillery Name: Woodford Reserve
Distillery Location: Versailles, KY
Link to Distillery Website: https://www.woodfordreserve.com/
Tours: https://www.woodfordreserve.com/our-distillery/tour-our-distillery/
Tour/Tasting/Experience: The Spectacle for the Senses Tasting

The Woodford Reserve distillery, formerly known as Old Oscar Pepper Distillery and later Labrot & Graham Distillery, is one of the oldest distilleries in Kentucky, distilling on-site, although not continuously, since 1812.

The distillery is known for its distillation in Pot Still (similar to Scotch Whisky) and Column Still, allowing them to blend flavorful spirit with lighter character spirit. Brown Forman purchased the distillery in 1993 and launched the Woodford Reserve brand in 1996. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.

The distillery has four whiskey experiences:
Woodford Reserve’s Path to Flavor Tour, The Spectacle for the Senses Tasting, The VIP Master Distillers Tour, and the Woodford Reserve Distillery 25th Anniversary Tour and Tasting (The most exclusive tour)

The Whiskies at Woodford Reserve:

Our tasting flight for the Spectacle for Senses Tasting consisted of three whiskies from the core range and one barrel pick.

Kentucky Straight Wheat: A whiskey with a mash bill of 52% wheat, 20% malted barley, 20% corn, and 8% rye, bottled at 90.4% proof (45.2% ABV).

• Nose: Soft and fruity.
• Palate: Thin texture with light vanilla, oak, and fruit flavors. A gentle whiskey.
• Finish: Medium and light.

Kentucky Straight Bourbon: Bourbon with a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley and bottled at 90.4% proof (45.2% ABV)

• Nose: Vanilla, slight aroma of oranges and spices.
• Palate: Rich, caramel, chocolate, and spices.
• Finish: Medium and rich with oak spices.
• Winner of a Double Gold Medal in the San Francisco Spirits Competition in 2013.

Kentucky Straight Rye: Rye and malted barley are the main grains, but the rye content is only 53%, leaving room for sweet aromas and flavors. Bottled at 90.4% proof (45.2% ABV)

• Nose: Apple and black pepper stand out.
• Palate: Apple, a cereal note from malted barley, honey, and spicy flavors. A good balance between fruit and spice from the rye.
• Finish: Long, with fruit and spices dominating.

What I liked about the experience at Woodford Reserve 🙂

• The grounds are very scenic with an equestrian feel. The visitor center and tasting experience had a professional touch. Each guest had a wooden tray with all tasting glasses and a flavor wheel to describe the flavors of each expression.
• A good experience for your significant other regardless of affinity for bourbon.
• Don’t forget to grab a cocktail at the Woodford Reserve bar across the street from the visitor center.

What I did not like about the experience at Woodford Reserve 🙁

• The tasting hostess was the only one holding the bottles in the middle of the room, so we could not read the labels.
• The experience was good, but it felt too corporate and rushed. The whiskies were also good, but none were memorable.
• The tasting experience included a barrel pick, not mentioned in this note, but not having the Woodford Reserve Double Oak expression in the tasting experience was a miss.

Score: 2.75/5 ⭐

Check my reviews for different distilleries and whiskies around the world here. Check here for more pictures.