Woodford Reserve Rye joined the core range in 2015. It uses a mash of 53% rye, a ratio the brand ties to pre-Prohibition rye recipes, so it keeps some of the house bourbon's sweetness under the spice.
About This Whiskey
The mash is 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley, just over the 51% needed to call it rye. As with the bourbon, whiskey from Woodford's copper pot stills is blended with column-still whiskey of the same recipe made at Brown-Forman's Shively distillery. It matures in new charred oak and is bottled at 45.2% ABV. Whisky Advocate described it as balancing drinkability and elegance, and Wine Enthusiast gave it 93 points on release.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Rye spice and tobacco, with cherry, mint, cinnamon and a floral lift.
- Palate: Sweet vanilla and caramel first, then pepper, clove and dried citrus.
- Finish: Dry and spicy, with oak and a lingering clove note.
Serving & Food
A natural Manhattan or Sazerac base, where the spice cuts through the vermouth or absinthe. Neat, a little water brings out a buttery side. Pastrami on rye, spiced lamb skewers or ginger cake suit it.
How to Enjoy
Bourbon drinkers moving into rye, or a spicy but not fierce rye for cocktails.
Product Details
Producer: Woodford Reserve (Brown-Forman)
Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky
Category: Kentucky straight rye whiskey
Country: USA
Mash Bill: 53% rye, 33% corn, 14% malted barley
ABV: 45.2%
Proof: 90.4
Released: 2015
Format: 700mL
About the Distillery
Woodford's style was shaped by Chris Morris, who started in the bourbon business in 1976 and led the distillery as master distiller for many years. He remains master distiller emeritus.
His successor, Elizabeth McCall, joined Brown-Forman in 2009 and spent nine years in research and development before becoming assistant master distiller in 2018. She now runs the distillery's releases, including recent Master's Collection experiments with Madeira casks.
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