Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select

I think I ended up going for a Horse theme without trying First Tyroconnell, and now the bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeder’s cup.

You’d think I actually like the giant half ton 5 year olds, but no. I don’t. A horse is a large dog that I can’t wrestle with that gets spooked at loud noises.

And let me tell you, I’m nothing but loud noises.

None the less, I’ve been recommended Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select a few times now as the general consensus in the Whisky Books I received were that it’s a decent bourbon.

And since I traded recently for some of the Limited Edition ones, I probably should review the regular dram first before I get all crazy with the finishes.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select has no age statement, yet I trust that they didn’t just magically make it over the weekend. The mash bill is 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barely. That’s a pretty high rye amount, so let’s see how this tastes.

Price: $47.95 (CAD) at the LCBO

Region: Kentucky

Abv: 45.2%

Colour: Brown

Nose: Roasted corn, woody, butter, rice, stewed vegetable

Nice roasted smell right off the bat. Eventually there’s more earthy tones, and some woody tones come out.

No smell of horse: That’s always a good thing. Sends me into a panic. One smell of horse, I’m running for the hills.

Or yelling for it to win in the 5th. Either one.

Taste: Peanut, salt, burn, oak/vanilla, corn, Mini Wheats

It’s smooth, has some nice nutty qualities to it. A lot of oak/vanilla that comes through.

Oh, and for you connoisseurs out there, when I say Mini Wheats, I mean the Brown Sugar variety more than the original variety.

Finish: Lime, cilantro, steak spice, pepper, cloves, orange rind

I kept washing my mouth out after trying this, as the lime was quite strong, though that may have been some cross over from my wife’s Gin and Tonic. Nice amount of bitter notes, though the hot pepper notes could calm the fuck down.

I mean, really: It’s not like there’s a horse nearby.

Conclusion: Nice sipper, I think I tend to like something a little more balanced. There’s some notes that just take over different aspects of this dram. Earth in the nose, vanilla in the taste, and pepper in the finish all take center stage, almost too much.

I’d still recommend this as a good mid-level bourbon to try. I’m excited for the new Rye one coming out this year, as well as reviewing some of the limited edition ones and maybe even the Double Oaked at some point.

73/100

Bourbon review #42, Kentucky review #29, Whiskey Network review #339