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Whiskey Review: Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Whiskey

We review Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Whiskey, a new addition to the distillery's core lineup that has a 51% malted barley, 47% corn and 2% rye mash bill.

OVERALL RATING

8
$35.00
  • Jeneen Bell, Certified Bourbon Steward & whiskey enthusiast.
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Tasting Notes

About:

90.4 proof, 51% malted barley, 47% corn, 2% rye. Triple pot distilled, 750 ml bottle MSRP of $35-40
Appearance:
It has a deep chestnut color as you’d expect from freshly charred barrels.
Nose:
The aroma is soft with both nutty and fruity aspects. I notice strong apricot notes. The oak shines through with further nosing.
Palate:
The palate skews more towards wood, spice, and grain aromas than sweetness, yet fruity and floral flavors are also present. The corn keeps the flavor slightly buttery and nutty, similar to the other Woodfords. It’s very peppery on the front of the tongue with deep cherry flavors towards the back.
Finish:
Comments:
This is of the quality that we have come to expect from Woodford Reserve. It falls in line with the rest of their core range as a good go-to whiskey. Not high end, but reliably good.rnrnI’ll call this the gateway whiskey. Since the mash bill is 47% corn, it will naturally appeal to today’s bourbon drinker looking for variety. At the same time, it can be a malt drinker’s peek into bourbon. At the $35-40 750 ml price point, it’s a great value. If you are already a fan of Woodford Reserve, you’ll want to check this out. If you hesitate around American single malts, there is no need to hesitate here. This tastes different. They are innovating in this space, I think this should be on every bourbon geek’s must-try list.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jeneen Bell

Jeneen Bell's journey into the world of whiskey began with a desire to enhance her whiskey tastings. As she delved deeper into the spirit's history and intricacies, her passion grew, earning her the moniker of a "whiskey geek." Jeneen is a Certified Bourbon Steward, a WSET Level 2 Spirits graduate, and the President of the Women Who Whiskey Portland chapter.

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