“I have never in my life seen a Kentuckian who didn’t have a gun, a pack of cards, and a jug of whiskey.”
– Andrew Jackson
This Whiskey Wednesday with Brian, I will be featuring:
Woodford Reserve – Distillers Select – 90.4 Proof
When frantically packing for my last minute flight to Spain, I made sure I packed all of the essentials: bathing suit, sunglasses, earphones & bourbon!
I was given this bottle of Woodford Reserve recently as a groomsmen’s gift. It was a nice little surprise from the couple. It was the perfect size for a few days in Spain. As you can see in the picture, I enjoyed it daily while sitting on the rock pier facing the ocean in La Pineda, Spain.
Side note: I did receive a few weird looks when I pulled a bobble head out of my bag and had a impromptu photo session on the pier!
I first learned of Woodford Reserve when I attended the Kentucky Derby a few years ago. We arrived at the hotel, I went straight to the bar and asked for a mint julep.
When at the Kentucky Derby… right?
The bar tender grabbed a tall glass put a little ice in the bottom and then poured Woodford Reserve to the rim(a good 10+ oz). I said sarcastically said “no mint”? They just smiled and dropped one leaf of mint to float on top.
Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.
Woodford Reserve is distilled by Brown-Forman in Versailles, Kentucky. Woodford has a heavier mashbill of corn and rye which leans more on the rye side of the flavor profile as compared to the “wheated” bourbons featured recently on my Whiskey Wednesday posts. According to the Woodford Reserve website, “Woodford Reserve isn’t manufactured, it’s crafted in small batches. This artisanal process allows us to craft using all five sources of bourbon flavor giving it its distinct taste and crisp, clean finish”.
Let’s get to it…
The Smell: Carmel, Vanilla, Maple & Oak – Possibly banana but that could be in my imagination…
Taste: Oak, Rye, Brown sugar and a little spice
Finish: Vanilla and Maple – smooth and easy to drink bourbon.
Overall, this is a soft and easy to drink, everyday bourbon. Woodford Reserve is a good bourbon to share with friends that may need to add ice or heaven forbid, mix in some coke.
It is one you can order in a bar and no be disappointed.
My honest opinion, as always, drink it neat. If you can’t, then bourbon may not be for you.
-Brian