Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 43.2% Vol. 0.7 L

Discover the exceptional character of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 43.2% Vol. 0.7L, a premium American bourbon celebrated for its remarkable balance, rich flavour and traditional Kentucky craftsmanship. Produced at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, this sophisticated whiskey combines carefully selected corn, rye and malted barley with meticulous distillation and maturation in new charred American oak barrels. Its distinctive flavour brings together dried fruit, sweet orange, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, toasted oak and warming spice in a beautifully layered bourbon.

Woodford Reserve traces its distilling heritage to a site where whiskey production began in 1812, combining centuries of tradition with carefully controlled modern production techniques. Its signature bourbon is created by blending whiskey distilled in copper pot stills with whiskey produced through column distillation, allowing the producer to achieve exceptional depth and consistency. The finished spirit offers a rich, rounded palate with notes of toffee, chocolate, cinnamon and citrus, followed by a smooth and satisfying finish. For Drinkero, Woodford Reserve is an excellent choice for Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Bourbon Manhattan, Mint Julep and other classic whiskey cocktails where balance and complexity are essential.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Brilliant honey amber with warm golden and copper reflections, developed through maturation in new charred American white oak barrels.

Aroma: Rich and inviting, with dried fruit, fresh orange, delicate mint, cocoa, vanilla and subtle tobacco-like spice.

Palate: Full-bodied, rounded and smooth, combining citrus, cinnamon, cocoa, caramel, toffee, chocolate and warm oak.

Texture: Rich and silky, with a pleasantly rounded mouthfeel and harmonious balance between sweetness, fruit and spice.

Finish: Long, warming and satisfying, with lingering caramel, cocoa, delicate oak and soft aromatic spice.

The Heritage of Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is one of the most recognisable premium bourbons in the world, with a history closely connected to the heart of Kentucky whiskey production.

The distillery is located near Versailles in Woodford County, a region known for its historic farms, limestone-rich landscape and established bourbon-making traditions.

The site's distilling history dates back to 1812, when early whiskey production began in the area.

During the nineteenth century, the property developed into an important centre for bourbon production and the refinement of traditional distilling techniques.

The site became associated with the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery and later the Labrot & Graham distilling operation.

Although the modern Woodford Reserve brand was launched in 1996, its identity is deeply connected with the historical buildings and methods associated with the property.

The distillery is recognised as a National Historic Landmark, reflecting its importance in the development of American whiskey.

Today, Woodford Reserve combines this historical heritage with a modern approach to flavour development, barrel selection and blending.

For cocktail enthusiasts, the result is a premium bourbon that offers both traditional Kentucky character and unusual aromatic complexity.

The Historic Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford Reserve is associated with one of Kentucky's most historically significant distilling sites.

The distillery is situated in a rural landscape surrounded by rolling hills, farmland and limestone-rich geology.

Its historic limestone buildings and traditional copper pot stills contribute to a distinctive production setting.

Unlike some modern industrial distilleries, Woodford Reserve places considerable emphasis on preserving its connection with the past.

The producer continues to use traditional copper pot distillation while also incorporating whiskey produced through column distillation into its signature bourbon.

The combination creates a distinctive balance of rich, complex flavours and consistent quality.

The distillery's location also provides access to naturally limestone-filtered water, an important component of its production process.

Woodford Reserve's identity is therefore connected not only to its recipe but also to the historical landscape and craftsmanship of Kentucky.

The Five Sources of Bourbon Flavour

Woodford Reserve describes its whiskey-making philosophy through five principal sources of flavour.

These are grain, water, fermentation, distillation and maturation.

Each stage contributes different characteristics to the finished bourbon.

Grain: Corn, rye and malted barley provide the foundation for fermentation and influence the spirit's overall character.

Water: Naturally limestone-filtered water provides a suitable foundation for the production process.

Fermentation: Carefully controlled fermentation develops alcohol and aromatic compounds from the grain mixture.

Distillation: Copper pot and column distillation produce complementary whiskey components that are combined in the finished bourbon.

Maturation: New charred American white oak barrels introduce vanilla, caramel, spice, colour and additional complexity.

The producer emphasises the interaction between these five stages rather than attributing the whiskey's flavour to one ingredient or process alone.

This philosophy helps explain Woodford Reserve's reputation for balance and a particularly wide range of aromatic notes.

The 72% Corn, 18% Rye and 10% Malted Barley Recipe

Woodford Reserve uses a carefully balanced grain recipe containing 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley.

This combination creates the foundation for the bourbon's rounded character and aromatic complexity.

Corn – 72%: Provides the majority of the mash and satisfies the legal requirement that bourbon contain at least 51% corn. It forms a rounded grain foundation that complements the sweet aromas developed during barrel maturation.

Rye – 18%: Introduces spicy and aromatic characteristics that balance the richness associated with corn and oak.

Malted barley – 10%: Supplies enzymes that help convert grain starches into fermentable sugars. It also contributes subtle grain and nutty characteristics.

After preparation, the grain mixture is combined with water and yeast for fermentation.

The resulting liquid is distilled and matured, allowing the grain-derived characteristics to interact with flavours from the barrels.

Woodford Reserve's recipe creates a bourbon that is neither overwhelmingly sweet nor dominated by intense rye spice.

Its balance makes it particularly useful for cocktails in which several different ingredients need to complement one another.

Limestone-Filtered Kentucky Water

Water plays an important role in producing Woodford Reserve.

The distillery uses water naturally filtered through limestone deposits beneath its property.

Limestone filtration helps create mineral-rich water with very low iron content.

These characteristics are considered suitable for bourbon production because iron can create undesirable reactions during distillation and maturation.

The water is used during the preparation of the grain mash and at appropriate stages of whiskey production.

For Woodford Reserve, its water source is closely connected with the landscape surrounding the distillery.

It represents one of the five important components identified in the producer's flavour-development philosophy.

Although water alone does not determine the finished bourbon's character, it provides an important foundation for the subsequent fermentation and distillation processes.

Long Fermentation and Aromatic Complexity

Woodford Reserve places particular emphasis on fermentation as an important contributor to bourbon flavour.

Fermentation takes place after the grain starches have been converted into sugars.

Yeast transforms those sugars into alcohol while creating additional aromatic compounds.

Woodford Reserve uses a specially developed yeast strain and an extended fermentation process.

The producer describes a fermentation period that is longer than the typical industry average.

This allows a broad range of flavour compounds to develop before distillation.

Some of these compounds are associated with the fruit-like and floral notes that distinguish the finished bourbon.

The resulting fermented mash provides the foundation for the whiskey's complexity, including aromas that can suggest dried fruit, fresh citrus and subtle flowers.

These characteristics later interact with the flavours developed during oak maturation.

Triple Copper Pot Distillation and Column Distillation

One of the most distinctive production features of Woodford Reserve is its use of two complementary distillation approaches.

The distillery is famous for its traditional copper pot stills, which are arranged to allow triple distillation.

Triple pot distillation contributes a rich and complex whiskey component with pronounced aromatic character.

However, the standard Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon is not made exclusively from this pot-distilled spirit.

It also includes whiskey produced through column distillation.

The two distillation styles create different characteristics that are subsequently brought together through careful batching.

Copper pot distillation: Contributes a rich, flavourful whiskey component with substantial aromatic depth.

Column distillation: Provides complementary characteristics and supports consistency across the finished expression.

Batching: Combines the different whiskey components to achieve Woodford Reserve's intended flavour balance.

This approach distinguishes Woodford Reserve from bourbons produced entirely through conventional column distillation.

It also demonstrates the producer's emphasis on creating complexity through the combination of traditional and modern methods.

New Charred American White Oak Barrels

Woodford Reserve matures its bourbon in new charred American white oak barrels.

This process is essential to the development of the whiskey's colour, aroma and flavour.

During barrel preparation, the oak is toasted and charred to create the desired interaction between wood and spirit.

As the bourbon matures, it extracts aromatic compounds from the oak.

These compounds contribute flavours commonly described as vanilla, caramel, toasted sugar, wood and warming spice.

Woodford Reserve takes particular care over the specifications of its barrels, including the treatment of the wood before filling.

The producer also uses heat-cycled warehouses, where controlled temperature changes influence the maturation environment.

Over time, the bourbon develops a rich amber colour and a more integrated flavour.

Its oak character complements the fruit and spice derived from fermentation and distillation.

The resulting balance is central to Woodford Reserve's signature style.

More Than 200 Detectable Flavour Notes

Woodford Reserve describes its signature bourbon as containing more than 200 detectable flavour notes.

This does not mean that 200 different ingredients have been added to the whiskey.

Instead, it refers to the broad range of aromas and flavours that can be identified through sensory evaluation.

The producer organises these characteristics into five main groups.

Grain: Includes characteristics associated with corn, rye, malted barley and other grain-derived flavours.

Wood: Covers oak, toasted wood, nuts and aromas that develop during barrel maturation.

Fruit and floral: Includes dried fruit, orange, apple, berry and delicate floral impressions.

Spice: Features cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, mint, pepper and other aromatic characteristics.

Sweet aromatics: Includes vanilla, caramel, toffee, cocoa, chocolate, honey and maple-like impressions.

Not every person will detect the same notes, and individual perceptions can vary.

The important characteristic is the way these different aromatic groups come together to create a balanced and layered drinking experience.

Why Woodford Reserve Is So Smooth and Rounded

Woodford Reserve is particularly recognised for its rich, rounded mouthfeel.

The producer attributes this character to the interaction between its grain recipe, extended fermentation, distillation methods and oak maturation.

Corn provides a substantial foundation, while rye contributes spice and malted barley adds grain complexity.

The combination of pot and column distillation creates complementary whiskey components.

Barrel maturation develops vanilla, caramel, toasted oak and other aromatic notes.

The resulting bourbon offers richness without allowing any one flavour to dominate.

Its smooth character is particularly noticeable in spirit-forward cocktails such as the Old Fashioned.

It can also be appreciated neat or with a small amount of water.

For customers seeking an approachable but complex premium bourbon, Woodford Reserve offers an attractive balance between sweetness, spice and oak.

Woodford Reserve Compared with Wild Turkey 101

Woodford Reserve and Wild Turkey 101 are both Kentucky Straight Bourbons, but their flavour profiles and bottling strengths differ.

Woodford Reserve 43.2%: Emphasises dried fruit, orange, cocoa, caramel, cinnamon and a silky, rounded texture.

Wild Turkey 101 50.5%: Offers a more powerful bourbon character with pronounced vanilla, toasted oak, caramel and warming spice.

Woodford Reserve is particularly suitable for customers who appreciate layered flavour and a smoother drinking experience.

Wild Turkey 101 provides a higher-strength alternative when a particularly robust bourbon foundation is desired.

In an Old Fashioned, Woodford Reserve creates an elegant balance of fruit, spice and oak.

Wild Turkey 101 produces a stronger and more assertive interpretation.

Both are excellent cocktail ingredients, but their differences make them suitable for different preferences.

Woodford Reserve Compared with Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon is another important expression in Drinkero's Whisky & Bourbon collection.

Like Woodford Reserve, it contains a significant proportion of rye in its grain recipe.

However, the two bourbons offer different flavour experiences.

Bulleit Bourbon 45%: Emphasises dry rye spice, maple, toasted oak, nutmeg and light toffee.

Woodford Reserve 43.2%: Offers a rounder combination of dried fruit, citrus, cocoa, caramel and gentle cinnamon spice.

Bulleit is particularly attractive for customers seeking an assertive spicy character.

Woodford Reserve provides additional fruit and chocolate-like complexity.

For a Boulevardier, both work well, with Bulleit emphasising spice and Woodford Reserve creating a richer, more rounded result.

For an Old Fashioned, Woodford Reserve provides a particularly balanced expression of classic bourbon flavours.

Why Woodford Reserve Is Excellent for an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the most important cocktails associated with Woodford Reserve.

The drink combines bourbon, sugar, aromatic bitters and dilution from ice.

Because it contains relatively few ingredients, the quality and flavour of the whiskey remain central.

Woodford Reserve's balance of caramel, vanilla, orange, cocoa and spice creates an excellent foundation.

Aromatic bitters reinforce the whiskey's cinnamon and herbal characteristics.

A small amount of sugar syrup softens the drink without concealing its oak and fruit notes.

For one serving, combine 60 ml Woodford Reserve with 5 ml sugar syrup and two dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters.

Stir thoroughly with ice until appropriately chilled and diluted.

Strain into a rocks glass containing a large fresh ice cube.

Garnish with an orange twist to highlight the bourbon's citrus aromas.

The resulting Old Fashioned is rich, elegant and beautifully balanced, with a long finish featuring caramel, spice and toasted oak.

Woodford Reserve in a Whisky Sour

The Whisky Sour combines whiskey, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup to create a refreshing balance between acidity, sweetness and spirit character.

Woodford Reserve is particularly suitable because its rounded flavour complements citrus without becoming overly sharp.

The whiskey's orange and dried-fruit notes work naturally with fresh lemon.

Cocoa, caramel and cinnamon introduce depth beneath the brighter ingredients.

For one serving, combine 50 ml Woodford Reserve with 25 ml fresh lemon juice and 20 ml sugar syrup.

Add optional cocktail foamer according to the manufacturer's instructions if a creamy foam is desired.

Shake appropriately with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or over fresh ice.

Finish with a lemon twist or orange garnish.

The result is a smooth, refreshing Whisky Sour with balanced fruit, citrus and oak characteristics.

Why It Works in a Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail combining bourbon or rye whiskey with Campari and sweet red vermouth.

Its rich flavour depends on the relationship between whiskey, bitterness and aromatic sweetness.

Woodford Reserve contributes caramel, cocoa, citrus and gentle spice that complement the bittersweet ingredients.

Campari introduces bitter orange and herbal complexity.

Sweet vermouth adds rich wine-based aromas that interact with the whiskey's dried-fruit character.

For one serving, combine 45 ml Woodford Reserve with 30 ml Campari and 30 ml sweet red vermouth.

Stir thoroughly with ice and strain into a rocks glass containing a large fresh ice cube.

Garnish with a fresh orange twist.

The finished cocktail is rich, aromatic and bittersweet, with an elegant bourbon foundation.

Woodford Reserve in a Bourbon Manhattan

The Manhattan is traditionally associated with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters.

However, using bourbon creates a smoother and more rounded variation.

Woodford Reserve is particularly suitable because its fruit, caramel and cocoa notes complement the herbal character of vermouth.

For one serving, combine 50 ml Woodford Reserve with 25 ml sweet red vermouth and two dashes of aromatic bitters.

Stir with ice until thoroughly chilled and appropriately diluted.

Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

Garnish with a cocktail cherry.

The result is an elegant, spirit-forward whiskey cocktail with rich fruit, spice and caramel character.

The Mint Julep and Kentucky Derby Tradition

Woodford Reserve has a particularly close association with the Kentucky Derby, one of America's most famous horse-racing events.

The brand is recognised as the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.

The Mint Julep is one of the event's most iconic cocktails, traditionally prepared with bourbon, fresh mint, sugar and crushed ice.

Woodford Reserve's caramel and vanilla notes complement the refreshing fragrance of mint.

Its rounded flavour remains noticeable as the crushed ice gradually dilutes the drink.

For one serving, combine 60 ml Woodford Reserve with 10 ml sugar syrup and eight fresh mint leaves.

Gently press the mint to release its aroma without excessively tearing the leaves.

Fill a suitable glass or julep cup with crushed ice and stir until well chilled.

Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with a generous sprig of fresh mint.

The resulting cocktail combines the richness of Kentucky bourbon with a refreshing herbal character.

How Woodford Reserve Complements Cocktail Ingredients

Woodford Reserve is particularly versatile because its flavour includes several complementary groups of aromas.

Angostura bitters: Introduce warming spice and herbal complexity that work beautifully with the bourbon's cinnamon and caramel notes.

Fresh lemon: Balances the whiskey's richness in Whisky Sour and Whiskey Smash.

Orange peel: Reinforces the fresh orange aromas already present in the spirit.

Sweet red vermouth: Adds herbal wine complexity and sweetness suitable for a Bourbon Manhattan or Boulevardier.

Campari: Introduces bittersweet orange character that contrasts with caramel, cocoa and oak.

Fresh mint: Creates a cooling herbal contrast in Mint Julep and Whiskey Smash.

Honey syrup: Provides rounded sweetness for seasonal bourbon cocktails and Hot Toddy variations.

Ginger ale: Combines with the whiskey's warm spice and citrus notes in a refreshing highball.

Soda water: Provides carbonation and dilution without substantial sweetness, allowing the bourbon's character to remain prominent.

The best combinations preserve the whiskey's balance rather than covering it with excessive syrup or strongly flavoured mixers.

What Makes Woodford Reserve Special?

Woodford Reserve stands out through its historic Kentucky distillery, carefully balanced grain recipe and distinctive combination of pot and column distillation.

Its mash contains 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley.

Extended fermentation helps develop additional fruit and aromatic complexity.

The bourbon is matured in new charred American white oak barrels prepared to the producer's specifications.

Its flavour combines dried fruit, orange, cocoa, caramel, toffee, cinnamon and toasted oak.

The producer identifies more than 200 detectable flavour notes across different aromatic categories.

At 43.2% alcohol by volume, it offers a balanced strength for both sipping and sophisticated cocktails.

For Drinkero, Woodford Reserve adds an important premium bourbon that offers a more rounded and layered alternative to the stronger Wild Turkey 101 and the rye-influenced Bulleit Bourbon.

Perfect for Cocktails

Old Fashioned: Combines Woodford Reserve with sugar syrup and aromatic bitters, highlighting its caramel, orange, cocoa and oak character.

Whisky Sour: Fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and optional cocktail foamer complement the bourbon's rich fruit and vanilla notes.

Boulevardier: Combines Woodford Reserve with Campari and sweet red vermouth for a rich, bittersweet cocktail.

Bourbon Manhattan: Mixes Woodford Reserve with sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters for a smooth, spirit-forward whiskey cocktail.

Mint Julep: Combines bourbon, fresh mint, sugar and crushed ice for a refreshing Kentucky classic.

Whiskey Smash: Uses fresh lemon, mint and sugar to complement the bourbon's citrus and caramel character.

Presbyterian: Combines bourbon with ginger ale and soda water for a refreshing long drink.

Hot Toddy: Mixes Woodford Reserve with hot water, honey and lemon for a warming seasonal cocktail.

Whiskey Highball: Combines Woodford Reserve with chilled soda water for a simple drink that highlights its complex flavour.

Serving Suggestions

For an Old Fashioned, combine 60 ml Woodford Reserve with 5 ml sugar syrup and two dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters. Stir thoroughly with ice, strain over a large fresh ice cube and garnish with orange peel.

For a Whisky Sour, combine 50 ml Woodford Reserve with 25 ml fresh lemon juice and 20 ml sugar syrup. Add optional cocktail foamer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Shake appropriately with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

For a Boulevardier, combine 45 ml Woodford Reserve with 30 ml Campari and 30 ml sweet red vermouth. Stir thoroughly with ice, strain over fresh ice and garnish with orange peel.

For a Bourbon Manhattan, combine 50 ml Woodford Reserve with 25 ml sweet red vermouth and two dashes of aromatic bitters. Stir with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.

For a Mint Julep, combine 60 ml Woodford Reserve with 10 ml sugar syrup and eight fresh mint leaves. Gently press the mint, add crushed ice and stir until chilled. Garnish with fresh mint.

For a Whiskey Smash, combine 50 ml Woodford Reserve with 25 ml fresh lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup and six fresh mint leaves. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice.

For a Presbyterian, combine 45 ml Woodford Reserve with 60 ml chilled ginger ale and 60 ml soda water. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon.

For a Whiskey Highball, combine 45 ml Woodford Reserve with approximately 120 ml chilled soda water. Serve over generous ice and garnish with lemon peel.

For a Hot Toddy, combine 45 ml Woodford Reserve with 120 ml hot water, 15 ml honey syrup and 15 ml fresh lemon juice. Stir gently in a heat-resistant mug and garnish with an optional cinnamon stick.

Use accurate measurements, fresh ingredients and appropriate dilution to preserve the bourbon's balance of fruit, caramel, oak and spice.

Product Details

• Brand: Woodford Reserve
• Product: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Expression: Distiller's Select
• Country of origin: United States of America
• Region: Kentucky
• Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky
• Historic distilling site: Established in 1812
• Modern brand launched: 1996
• Brand owner: Brown-Forman
• Spirit type: Whiskey
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Grain composition: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
• Water: Naturally limestone-filtered Kentucky water
• Fermentation: Extended fermentation using the producer's selected yeast
• Distillation: Combination of copper pot-distilled and column-distilled whiskey
• Pot distillation: Triple distillation of the copper pot-distilled component
• Maturation: New charred American white oak barrels
• Age statement: No age statement on the standard bottle
• Colour: Honey amber
• Aroma: Dried fruit, orange, mint, cocoa, vanilla and delicate spice
• Flavour profile: Citrus, cinnamon, cocoa, toffee, caramel, chocolate and oak
• Texture: Rich, rounded and silky
• Finish: Long, smooth and warming
• Alcohol content: 43.2% Vol.
• Bottle size: 0.7L (700 ml)
• EAN: 5099873025871
• Recommended use: Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Bourbon Manhattan, Mint Julep, Whiskey Smash and Hot Toddy
• Recommended garnish: Orange peel, lemon peel, fresh mint or cocktail cherry, depending on the recipe

Storage: Store upright with the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Enjoy neat, with a little water, over ice or in carefully measured cocktails.

Discover more with Drinkero: Explore Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Manhattan, Mint Julep and Whiskey Smash recipes, compare Kentucky bourbon with rye whiskey and Scotch whisky, and use the Drinkero cocktail calculator to prepare accurately measured ingredients for your favourite whiskey cocktails at home.