Brown-Forman

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel – Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey Review
Photo courtesy Jack Daniel's

Photo courtesy Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, the newest member of the Jack Daniel’s family, is hitting shelves August 2015 at a suggested retail price of $65.  When I heard the news, I couldn’t wait to try this whiskey.  I’m a fan of their Single Barrel, and thoroughly enjoyed their Sinatra Select release.  Now we get a single barrel whiskey from them at barrel proof, unfiltered and uncut.  This is the closest most of us will ever get to tasting what Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Jeff Arnett samples on a regular basis in the barrel warehouses.  It’s virtually the same thing he’s tasting.

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Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

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Woodford Reserve was the first premium bourbon I really enjoyed when I “graduated” from Jack Daniel’s.  I later learned Woodford Reserve is from the same family: Brown-Forman.  Brown-Forman owns Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve and Old Forester.  Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Old Forester bourbon have been around forever, whereas Woodford Reserve came to market in the mid-1990s.

The minimalist bottle is easy to find on the shelves.  Master Distiller Chris Morris even gives us a batch and bottle number on the small tan label.  The ‘Labrot & Graham’ etched above the ‘Woodford Reserve’ on the bottle is the name the distillery was formerly known as many many years ago.

Coming in at 90.4 proof, Woodford Reserve has high rye content.  It’s evident on the nose, along with vanilla, toffee and caramel.  I get some of that rye spice on the palate.  There’s also caramel, maple syrup, cinnamon and light char.  The char comes on the back end.  The finish is medium and sweet.  Woodford Reserve has a lighter body than I’d like, but it carries an overall nice flavor.

I almost always have a bottle of Woodford Reserve on hand.  It’s nice neat, on the rocks and in an old-fashioned.  The brand promotes a Manhattan cocktail made with Woodford Reserve.  I haven’t tried it yet, so I can’t comment.  The old-fashioned cocktail I’ve made many times with this bourbon is quite tasty.  For $30+ a bottle, I’d recommend picking one up.  Keep an eye out for a limited edition bottle design close to the Kentucky Derby.

7.5/10

Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey Review

Woodford Reserve Rye

Woodford Reserve is now in the rye whiskey game.  There was an indicator a couple of years back when they released rye whiskey as part of their annual Master’s Collection.  The reviews I read about it were mixed, but the excitement mostly came from the anticipation of a rye whiskey from Woodford Reserve.  The bottle is the same as Woodford Reserve bourbon.  The only difference is the green label at the bottom.  As with its bourbon brethren, this rye whiskey also has a batch and bottle number.

Woodford Reserve’s PR firm sent me a small review sample.  The rye spice in this whiskey is nice.  It comes across on the nose, and it should: Woodford Reserve Rye contains 53% rye in its mash bill.  I also get some clove, vanilla, black pepper and light brown sugar.  The rye also comes across on the palate along with caramel and honey.  It has a long sweet honeyed finish.  Bottled at 90.4 proof was the right call.  It’s a nice sweet spot – not too thin and watery but not too hot.  Very balanced.

Priced at $38, slightly higher than their bourbon, Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey is a delicious sipper.  As of the writing of this post, Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey is only available in several markets in the United States, but I expect it to spread to the rest of the country soon.  Recommended.

8.5/10