Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Review

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About – Distiller’s Select is the flagship bourbon for Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve Brand. It is one of the most popular bourbons on the market and is easily recognizable thanks to it’s unique bottle shape. Woodford Reserve lays claim to being distilled in the oldest Kentucky distillery still in operation with the distillery building being constructed in 1838. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Brown-Forman originally purchased the distillery form Labrot & Graham in 1941, they eventually sold the property in 1971 and repurchased it in 1993 introducing the Woodford Reserve brand in 1996. Woodford Reserve is a no age statement (NAS) Kentucky Straight Bourbon and is bottled at 90.4 proof.

Nose – The first thing that hits you is a fruit flavor of fresh apples, as you dig deeper rye spice and oak come through. After a touch of water a note of caramel really shines through.

Palate – Just like the smell apples and fresh fruit come through first along with rye spice and cinnamon really similar to a spiced apple pie. As it opens up vanilla and burnt sugar become more evident. On the back end the oak starts to come through. On first tasting I picked up an unpleasant bit of acetone as well, but after tasting the bottle a week or so later it seemed to have faded.

Finish – The caramel from the nose comes through and fades into a nice long touch of oak that lingers around.

Score – B

Verdict – Over the years Woodford has been a gateway bourbon for many into the land of premium bourbons. When first really getting into bourbon it was my go to and is always enjoyable to return to like greeting an old friend. Value wise it is one of the better bourbons in $30 dollar range right there with Eagle Rare. This is one of those quintessential bourbons that should be found in the home bar of any avid bourbon drinker. If you are a bourbon drinker and somehow haven’t tried Woodford yet you owe it to yourself to pick up a bottle.

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