Woodford Reserve Bourbon – Review

Woodford Reserve BourbonWoodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

90.4 Proof

Price Point: $30 – $40 for 750 ML

Distiller: Woodford Reserve Distillery

 

Background

People’s buying habits (including my own) are very interesting.  Depending on the situation, what, how, and why we purchase can drastically change.

I received a request to review Woodford Reserve, which is when I realized I had never bought a bottle.  However, I’ve probably had Woodford Reserve close to fifteen times, not at home but at the bar.  For whatever reason, this always stood out as a good choice when I’m out with friends, but never when I’m at the liquor store.  Well, I decided to pick up a bottle and put it to the test at home.

 

Review

The nose is a little intense, but still nice.  Woodford Reserve seems heavy on rye, with lots of caramel and oak.

The taste is pleasant; pretty well aged (mature).  The caramel comes back here with some cherries to follow.  This is a nice bourbon in the mouth, but nothing to separate it from the rest of the pack.

Woodford Reserve concludes with some big oak for a tasty finish..

 

Rating & Recommendations

I like Woodford Reserve, but not enough to rate it higher than an 82 out of 100.

I will probably continue to order this at the bar, but it’s just not special enough for me to buy a bottle for myself again.

 

-Ryan

7 comments

1 ping

Skip to comment form

    • Dan Williams on December 8, 2012 at 4:44 pm
    • Reply

    Interesting … That parallels my attitude. I do like the pronounced cherry notes in their products, but I’d still take Eagle Rare over Woodford 10 times out of 10. This brand is more about packaging than what’s inside the bottle.

  1. Just reviewed the same stuff. Had very much the same opinion- that for the size of the brand and its availability it’s pretty good. But not the go-to choice when you could pick something a little more special.

    • Charles Shaulis on March 1, 2013 at 12:42 am
    • Reply

    The more bourbon I buy, the further down the ladder that the Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select expression goes – it’s currently #5 on my list, but still better than Buffalo Trace or Maker’s Mark 46. It’s still a good bourbon to drink on the rocks. You’re lucky that you can find Woodford Reserve at a bar when you’re out and about; not so here in Maine.

    • JohnnyBuckets on March 5, 2013 at 9:06 pm
    • Reply

    Have to agree with the comment from Dan, The Bottle Looks Great on the shelf, the taste doesn’t sell the product. I just purchased the Woodford Reserve for the first and last time. Was not happy with this purchase. Maybe the taste is fine in a bar when you’ve already had a half dozen beers or so.

    • George on September 16, 2013 at 4:56 pm
    • Reply

    Yea not what I expected ,after paying$4 more than Knob Creek ,it’s not even close Knob Creek is number 1 for me

    • BourbonBoyBlu on October 4, 2014 at 9:58 pm
    • Reply

    So I got the Woodford Reserved Straight Bourbon 1.75. at Costco for $54.99. Looking at everybody reviews i will return it tomorrow. Looks like I got a great price for something that’s not even close to My Favorite Four Roses or Highwest. By the way I do have the Knob Creek 1.75 from Costco also and it is a good buy.

    • Brian Sweeney on March 14, 2016 at 3:10 pm
    • Reply

    Gentlemen,

    I have been a Woodford Reserve man for several years now. I have enjoyed it as have my friends, but as of late the cost compared to the quality seems to have went south for me. I have always figured what was good for the Kentucky Derby should be good enough for me. As of late I have discovered the true taste of Elijah Craig and am really enjoying the bourbon and the price and as an added attraction it has a little more kick although you really don’t notice it until after your third glass. I also like it over ice and for the Nay Sayers out there, try 3 bottles to cleanse your palate then go ahead tell me I am crazy. I am no kid at 60 and I have been from bottom to top excluding the really high dollar stuff, no need to be stupid about it, although if someone else likes the big money Bourbon so be it.

  1. […] Woodford Reserve […]

Leave a Reply to BourbonBoyBlu Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.