Heritage
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750 ml, 90.4 proof) is the flagship expression of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, crafted in small batches in the heart of Kentucky. Known for its rich complexity and balance, it is distilled in a combination of pot stills and column stills, then aged in new charred oak barrels to develop its signature character. Bottled at 45.2% ABV, it represents a classic example of Kentucky bourbon with depth, smoothness, and versatility.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with rich aromas of dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, accented by a touch of cocoa and spice. On the palate, flavors of toffee, cinnamon, and nutmeg mingle with notes of citrus, chocolate, and roasted nuts. The body is full and rounded, with a silky texture that carries into a long, warming finish layered with oak, spice, and sweet fruit.
Food Pairings
Starter Roasted pecans or candied walnuts, complementing the bourbon’s nutty and caramel notes.
Main Course Grilled pork chops with apple compote, balanced by the whiskey’s spice and fruit tones.
Cheese Aged cheddar or gouda, pairing beautifully with the bourbon’s toffee and oak depth.
Dessert Dark chocolate tart or pecan pie, echoing the whiskey’s cocoa, caramel, and nutty richness.
Craftsmanship
Woodford Reserve is one of Kentucky’s most distinguished bourbon brands, produced at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. The distillery’s roots trace back to 1812, making it one of the oldest working distilleries in the United States and a designated National Historic Landmark. Though ownership has changed over time, today it operates under Brown-Forman, one of the most respected names in American spirits.
The brand has built its reputation on craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation. Unlike many distilleries that rely solely on column stills, Woodford Reserve uses a combination of copper pot stills and column stills, giving its bourbon a layered complexity. The whiskey is aged in new charred American oak barrels and matured in unique limestone warehouses where Kentucky’s climate—with hot summers and cold winters—shapes the whiskey’s deep flavor profile.
Woodford Reserve is known for its focus on balance and complexity. The distillery highlights more than 200 detectable flavor notes in its bourbon, ranging from rich dried fruit and vanilla to spice, cocoa, and nutty undertones. Beyond its flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Woodford has expanded into a family of expressions, including Double Oaked, Rye, Malt, and Master’s Collection limited editions, each showcasing a different aspect of whiskey-making artistry.
As the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve has become synonymous with tradition, elegance, and American heritage. Every bottle reflects the distillery’s commitment to quality and its place at the heart of Kentucky bourbon culture.
