Originally intended to document my experience of DeLorean ownership, focus is often radical and strange, boring and obtuse.

Sunday, February 03, 2013

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, one of the nicest glass bottles out there.I suffered through my first glass of Woodford Reserve as an acrid layer of hot spice blanketed my tongue and choked my tastebuds. I had tried it in a tavern setting, with savory food. It was a mistake and I was thankful I hadn't made the costly investment of an entire bottle at the LCBO prior.

Yes, it was terrible and the balance was way off. But I was in denial, partaking of it plenty more times since that first night. Each time I had it it was dramatically better and for a long time I excitedly thought of adding one of those unforgettable bottles to my shelf.

I didn't have to wait long. When my parents returned from a Florida vacation they surprised me with a bottle of Woodford Reserve. It was a gift set which included two tasteful etched glasses as well.

Woodford Reserve, with its beautiful wood and cork stopper, is a small batch whiskey and as such it varies from bottle to bottle. I wish I'd recorded the batch number from that first one, not that it matters because that particular supply is long gone. The one I have currently is bottle 545 from batch 654. And this is a fantastic batch.

Nose: sweet spicy metal, and surprisingly little alcohol considering the 45.2% abv.

This was my favourite Woodford to date with cherries and almonds followed by the strong tell-tale metallic flavour of copper pot distillation. What really surprised me was a delicious but faint smokiness too. Finally, the spicy rye hits.

The finish is dry and nutty with a hint of pine. Nosing the glass afterward all I can smell is fresh cut wood. Very nice!

WR is akin to a nicely kept, relatively stock DeLorean. The biggest difference being some 17" aftermarket wheels. The car definitely looks flashier and more luxurious, fast even. But it's probably not to everyone's taste.

Gift from my parents
750 ml
45.2% (90.4 proof)

www.woodfordreserve.com

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4 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Martini: I'll have to rely on your judgment on this subject!

11:25:00 PM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Michael! Get out there and try some! Take a chance next time you belly up to the bar.

9:31:00 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had a love-hate relationship with my bottle of Woodford. While I really, really enjoyed the thick palate and the wonderful vanilla scent left in the glass, I found it rather harsh and unbalanced on the initial nose. It took me nearly five years to finish and I used the last quarter to make bbq sauce for pulled pork recipes.

10:38:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

I remember you mentioned the BBQ sauce! Hopefully THAT turned out nicely.

7:41:00 PM

 

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