Comments on: Tasting Note: Woodford Reserve Review

By: Derrick Schommer

Derrick Schommer — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:19:00 +0000

Sorry you didn’t like it. Personally, I’d never judge a review by a single key word, that’s also a terrible way to judge something like a text review

By: Nathanj37

Nathanj37 — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:46:00 +0000

Terrible review.

When I’m gauging the quality of a whiskey taster I always turn to their Woodford review and scan it for the word “toffee.” If I don’t see that, the reviewer has no idea what they’re talking about. Toffee is the predominant taste note of Woodford, followed by rye. The toffee comes from the accelerated aging process they use (they cycle the temp in the barrelhouse, creating an age about 4 times that of the actual age), and the rye comes from the mashbill used in Woodford (much richer in rye than the typical bourbon).

What do I know? I just live in Woodford county…

By: Dead River

Dead River — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:37:09 +0000

I just did an open label taste test:

Old Whiskey River (6 year, 86 proof)
my choice

Evan Williams (regular black label, 86 proof)
more burn later on

W. L. Weller (7 years, 90 proof)
more burn at first

Then I tried adding a drop of Peychaud's bitters and honestly could not tell a difference.

By: Dead River

Dead River — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:33:15 +0000

Here is another blinded taste test.

Old Whiskey River
Smell: 3.5/5
Taste: 4/5
about $24
86 proof

George Dickel No.12
Smell: 3/5
Taste: 4/5
$23-26
90 proof

Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Smell: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
$37
108.2 proof

I went into this thinking George Dickel No. 12 was my favorite. Then I did an open label test against Elijah Craig and liked the Wild Turkey Rare Breed more.

By: Dead River

Dead River — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:12:57 +0000

salttl1000r inspired me to do a blinded taste test since I have both Woodford Reserve and Evan Williams in the house. I added Elijah Craig.

Results:
Elijah Craig
Smell: 4/5
Taste: 3/5
$22

Woodford Reserve
Smell: 2/5
Taste: 4/5
$29.99

Evan Williams
Smell: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
$14.50

I agree that Woodford Reserve is overpriced though I did like its complex taste. I really like Elijah Craig which comes from the same distillery as Evan Williams.

By: Derrick Schommer

Derrick Schommer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:24:48 +0000

This was a brand I was told was good by one of our viewers. I think, in a whiskey sour, all current reviewed whiskey's are very serviceable and fun in a sour. But, when it comes down to what you're paying for and the versatility, it just falls short. I didn't want it to.

I think most reviewers just say “vanilla and spice” since it's just so common in these, since the oak is so prominent. Usually with oak you can get vanilla or a vanilla bean with smooth butters. To me, those qualities are very high on the “no duh” factor

Of course, if you didn't get it and you like those flavor profiles, this is a total pass!

By: salttl1000r

salttl1000r — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:24:20 +0000

I agree, the original Woodford was actually Old Forester, until the “Reserve” was aged. To me Woodford is a pure Marketing brand, I would take Makers over Woodford but not by much. If you watch the review, the findings speak for themselves. I taste oak, minimal sugar and blandness. Alot of other reviews list vanilla and spice as tasting notes and on the nose, for me this didn't happen. Give me Evan Williams Sour Mash over Woodford any day.