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Woodford Reserve is the “World’s Finest Bourbon.” That’s the slogan and the phrase that shows up when you go to their official website.
It’s quite a bold statement, don’t you think? A declaration like that can come off as downright arrogant. That is if your product can’t back up the statement.
In the case of Woodford Reserve, they back up their words in a big way. Once you learn about the extreme care they put into each bottle of their exemplary spirits you see why they are able to come out with some bravado.
Once you take a sip of one of their bourbons or rye whiskies you’ll see that they aren’t being egotistical at all when they say “World’s Finest Bourbon”. They’re simply stating facts.
Let’s take a deep dive into what Woodford Reserve does to make such a special spirit.
A Brief History of Woodford Reserve
Even though Woodford Reserve maintains a sleek and modern look they are anything but a new kid on the block. The history of Woodford Reserve goes back to 1812 even though the Woodford Reserve branding is quite a bit newer.
The distillery has had a few name changes since the early 1800s. In addition to Woodford Reserve, it has also been known as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery and the Labrot & Graham Distillery.
The distillery as it stands today was built in 1838 and started producing Woodford Reserve in the early 1990s. The distillery is now a National Historic Landmark and is owned and operated by The Brown-Forman Corporation.
Brown-Forman is also known for producing Jack Daniel’s, Finlandia Vodka, and Old Forester Bourbon.
So there is obviously a long history with Woodford Reserve, but what makes it so special? At Woodford Reserve, they are all about quality.
Their bourbon and whiskey have been perfected through what they call their five sources of flavor. The five sources of flavor are Grain, Water, Fermentation, Distillation, and Maturation.
These steps aren’t different from how other distilleries produce whiskey but it’s how they take the steps.
They have perfected the right mix of ingredients for each of their varieties with corn taking the lead for their bourbon. The water used comes from natural water on the site of the distillery.
The fermentation is longer than most if not all others. Woodford Reserve is distilled in a combination of pot stills and column stills.
Finally, the whiskey is aged in barrels that Woodford themselves creates and toasts and chars. The result is the self-proclaimed “World’s Finest Bourbon.”
Woodford Reserve has an elite product line that rivals any fine whiskey brands. While best known for their straight bourbon whiskey variety they also offer rye whiskey, malt whiskey, and wheat whiskey.
Looking for something special? Woodford Reserve has you covered there with their Double Oaked, Baccarat Edition, Master’s Collection, and Distillery Series.
Unless otherwise noted all Woodford Reserve spirits are 90.4 Proof (45.2 percent alcohol by volume).
Woodford Reserve Price, Varieties, and Sizes
For a top-shelf whiskey, most varieties of Woodford Reserve are surprisingly affordable. It’s only once you move to some of the rare and limited collections that you are going to see a major price increase.
Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the Woodford Reserve’s Gold Medal Award Winning flagship Bourbon. This outstanding bourbon is balanced and smooth.
- 375 ml, From $19.99
- 750 ml, From $34.99
- 1.75 L, From $64.99
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a twice-barreled masterpiece with a lot of robust character.
- 750 ml, From $59.99
Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey is made from 51 percent malted barley. Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey is known for its nutty flavor.
- 750 ml, From $34.99
Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey has a spicy rye character. This Rye Whiskey uses 53 percent rye in the mash to achieve the right amount of spice.
- 750 ml, From $34.99
Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey is made with a blend of grains with wheat taking the lead at 52 percent. This variety is known for its fruity and floral notes.
- 750 ml, From $34.99
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection changes but the 2021 edition was the Chocolate Malted Rye. For this spirit, the distillers used an imperial stout beer as inspiration.
- 750 ml, From $142.99
Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition is the most expensive and prestigious in the Woodford Reserve collection. This beauty is made by starting with the finest bourbon and then finishing the spirit in XO Cognac barrels.
This special edition doesn’t come in a normal bottle but in a Baccarat decanter.
- 750 ml, From $1999.99
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series is an ever-changing series that allows for creativity and experimentation. In the past, this has included playing around with the barrels, ingredients, and recipes.
Due to the wide range of products as part of the distillery series the pricing varies.
Woodford Reserve Alternatives and Comparisons
It’s awfully hard to replace the “World’s Finest Bourbon” but there are times when it might be necessary.
If you want to stay in the same family as Woodford Reserve you can turn to Old Forester. Old Forester is produced by Brown-Forman and has a line of well-respected bourbon.
The standard Old Forester is cheaper than Woodford Reserve but their 1897 and 1910 varieties are more in line with Woodford Reserve’s Double Oaked in price.
Knob Creek is another brand that comes to mind as a solid replacement for Woodford Reserve. Not only is Knob Creek similar in price and quality but they also offer more than just bourbon.
Knob Creek also has rye whiskey and a smoked maple variety.
One last bourbon that compares favorably to Woodford Reserve is Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon.
Eagle Rare is more expensive (at around $49.99 for a 750 ml bottle) than Woodford Reserve but they take similar care in crafting their bourbon. Both are bold, rich, and fantastic.
How to Drink Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is very versatile no matter what variety you have. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, mixed with soda, or as part of a bourbon or whiskey cocktail.
Since Woodford Reserve is such a fine bourbon whiskey you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t try it straight up at least once.
This is the best way to taste all the craftsmanship that went into it. It also pops as part of a cocktail due to its bold flavors.
For the best longevity, Woodford Reserve should be stored in a cool dark environment.
FAQ – Woodford Reserve
Is Woodford Reserve gluten-free?
Woodford Reserve is gluten-free. As the list of items that contain gluten grows the happy fact remains that Woodford Reserve does not contain gluten.
While it is true that the initial ingredients used to make Woodford Reserve contain gluten the good news is that the distillation process removes all gluten. Bourbon and Whiskey should be able to be enjoyed by all.
Is Woodford Reserve vegan?
Yes, Woodford Reserve is a vegan product. This means that there were no animals used as ingredients or in the production of Woodford Reserve.
Some alcohol has been known to use animal bone filtering but that is not the case with Woodford Reserve.
What do you mix with Woodford Reserve?
Woodford Reserve is an excellent choice for any bourbon or whiskey cocktail. Here are a few standouts:
- 2 oz Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- ½ oz Demerara Syrup
- 3 Dashes Woodford Reserve Aromatic Bitters
- 2 Dashes Woodford Reserve Orange Bitters
- Orange Peel (for Garnish)
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 to 40 seconds and strain into an ice-filled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lightly expressed orange peel and serve.
- 2 oz Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
- 3 Dashes Woodford Reserve Aromatic Bitters
- Cherries (for Garnish)
Combine liquid ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir gently, strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a cherry and serve.
- 1 ½ oz Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- ¾ oz Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Honey
- 6 oz Peach Tea
- Peach or Lemon (for Garnish)
Add all liquid ingredients to a tall glass. Stir well and garnish with your fruit of choice.
Interesting Facts & Myths
The Kentucky Derby horse race is one of the biggest events in sports. Fans of horse racing, and people who just like parties, often gather every May to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.
They celebrate by dressing up in wild hats and by drinking bourbon. Often the drink of choice is the Mint Julep which is a refreshing bourbon cocktail made with bourbon, sugar, shaved ice, and mint.
More often than not the Mint Julep is made with Kentucky’s own Woodford Reserve.
Woodford Reserve is now a sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. As such they have been releasing commemorative bottles for the derby each year.
