Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Review 177: Woodford Reserve

I don't know too much about Woodford Reserve, other than that it's partially made using pot stills (entirely?)  and that it's my aunt's favorite bourbon. I think that's reason enough to review it!

Woodford Reserve 


Color: Amber +0

ABV: 45.2%

Aroma Neat:
Thick Clover Honey, Cracked Black Pepper, Clove Oil (slightly), Vanilla Bean, Angel Food Cake, Lightly Spiced Rum, Golden Raisins, Dried Dates, Pie Crust.

Lovely honey/spice nose. Lighter and more articulate than many bourbons. My Aunt knows her bourbon!

Aroma Water:
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Light Caramel, Honey, Angel Food Cake, Hickory/Cedar (slightly), Dried Dates, Boiled Fruits, Cinnamon Applesauce (or pie!), Apple Butter, Allspice.  

Very similar to neat, but  now with a big vanilla blast at the fore.

Taste Neat:
White Peppercorn, Clove Oil, Mineral Water, Vanilla, Buttery Croissants, Oxidized Cocoa, Tobacco Ash, Light Barrel Char (slightly).

Spicy, mineral and not very sweet.  Nice alternative-bourbon palate. A little thin, so I hope that it hold up in water.

Taste Water:
Dry Oak, Bitter Tobacco, Toasted Oak, Ash, Marshmallow, Vanilla, Chocolate Cake, Clove/White Pepper, Mint, Cracked Corn, Honey Water (in English Tea).

Similar to neat, but the flavors are more spaced out and clear. It's a really good fit for my tastes, but might be a little too dry for some.

Finish:
Honey, Light Tobacco, Flint/Mineral Water, Vanilla, Ash, Light Barrel Char, Pickle Juice (very slightly), Black Walnuts, Dried Mint.

Initially sweet, before becoming dry, spicy, and mineral. Nice.

Conclusion:
Interesting and spicy nose, with lovely honey and vanilla.

Dry, mineral palate that is restrained and austere (which is good in my opinion).

Well composed palate with good dimension and a lasting mineral bitterness.

Rating: 87/100

Girlfriend Rating: 87/100

A much more spirit-driven bourbon than most, which is great for me. May be a little too dry without enough wood for some bourbon lovers, but for someone like me who drinks mainly malt whisky it's a great fit.

I like it. My girlfriend likes it. My aunt likes it. You might like it!

Josh

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