Time for some more higher shelf bourbon – this time one I’ve had a few times, but mostly in bars or tastings. Woodford Reserve has always been an iconic looking bottle in shops despite it’s simplicity, but alas while it wins well in some places – as often in our format it’s not a perfect whiskey by any means.
This is one whiskey where I sort of wish I had my compatriots helping out on, because I worry that the taste of this bourbon really comes down more to a preference. I could be wrong though because no matter what you say this like some spiced rums is a whiskey where I just wish it tasted like it smelled.
What they Say: “We honor our heritage with a truly unique small batch bourbon of unparalleled quality.
Visit WoodfordReserve.com to learn about our 5 sources of flavor.”
Taste: 6.5 – This is a hot tasting whiskey, there’s a lot of power and richness here.
Aftertaste: 5.0 – However as it blends into the aftertaste that overall taste while not bad is just not terribly pleasant. The taste that lingers though is great.
Burn/Smooth: 5.5 – This aftertaste also has an effect on burn. Here too the lingering warmth is great though.
Aroma: 8.0 – There’s smoke, there’s citrus, some great wood smells – overall this just smells fantastic.
Honesty: 7.0 – Bottle, literature and presentation leave nothing to desire, and this is a very classy feeling whiskey which doesn’t suffer from a shot to its own foot.
Mixability: 6.75
W/ Rocks: 8.0 – Here I assume is why you want this whiskey – it brings out more of the flavors, while taking away a lot of the bad.
Whiskey and Coke: 5.5 – It’s okay – but this is a rocks drink.
Value: 5.0 – This is certainly in the range of the more higher tier bourbons, and in some respect I get why, and I would understand why some would seek this out – I never would though.
Google Shop Average: $38
Website: http://www.woodfordreserve.com
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.0
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Metric Score: 43.75/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.25 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.0
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Final Thoughts: Overall I would certainly not turn down a glass – but that drink better be comped or a gift. If I had my choice there’s just a close enough territory to get a scotch.
Try their rye. It costs the same and it’s not really a rye, but it is just better.