Today's whiskey review is a bourbon whiskey releases by Woodford Reserve, under the Brown-Forman umbrella. Bottled at 45.2% ABV, this is their flagship product, though it comes with no word on age or filtering. Let's dive in.
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select may not be as relevant as it once was in the marketplace, however it still serves a purpose. Its simple flavor profile offers a way to dive into bourbon without being overwhelmed by worrying about trying to pick out exotic flavor characteristics.
The key here is balance. One note never overtakes the other; nutmeg, mango, baked apples, cinnamon, blueberry pie, and vanilla seem to walk in perfect harmony. Then we find the gingerbread, caramel, and vanilla jumping into layers of smoke and spice.
It’s a complex and sippable bourbon for drinkers of all levels and makes killer cocktails should you choose that route. I typically like a little more oomph in my bourbons, but it’s tasty and easy to see why this has become a daily drinker for so many folks.
It hits all of the traditional bourbon flavors without breaking the bank. It also goes great in a cocktail such as an old fashioned or a mint julep during Kentucky Derby season. This could easily turn into a dally drinker.
It remains every bit the solid whiskey that it’s always been, kicking off with one of the most wood-forward noses in Kentucky. It’s not a hoary lumberyard character, though, but rather an oily, antique furniture note — blended with barrel char — that immediately connotes seriousness and austerity.
Raided Score is a conversion from an external site's score, to our in house uniform scoring system. Please see the FAQ for more.
House Review
Nose:
Light banana nut bread, honey, slivered almond, brown sugar and light oak.
Taste:
Sweet cream, honey, a bit of vanilla bean. Hint of pepper, light oak structure. Not a ton going on here, the mouth feel is thin to moderate. A tad hot for the proof, but not too bad.
Finish:
Short finish with a bit of heat. Cocoa, pepper, clove and some honey on the finish.
Overall:
Overall, this is just fine, but lacks the complexity of other similar bottles in the price range.
Score:
75
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
Get the inside scoop on the latest & greatest spirit releases in our daily newsletter.
