We have no reservations about Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey.
Woodford Reserve has long been one of the bourbon brand titans. Located in Versailles, Kentucky and owned by Brown-Forman, the distillery has always maintained a steady and militantly consistent brand identity. For decades, Woodford Reserve’s only offerings were Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and then a smattering of one-time releases. In the last few years, though, Woodford Reserve has started to walk on the wild side with new releases like its Wheat Whiskey, Malt Whiskey, and of course – Rye Whiskey.
Woodford Reserve Rye carries a mash bill of 53% rye and an undisclosed amount of corn, barley, etc. Rye is normally responsible for the bold, spicy flavor in its namesake whiskey and that certainly holds true here. The initial smell is a subtle combination of black pepper and a fruity sweetness like apples and summer fruit. The rye shows itself in the middle sip with a gentle clove, peppercorn, and tobacco flavor that carries through the finish. The overall flavor is nice, if not just a bit too subtle.
In order to be legally named a rye whiskey, the mash bill needs to be at least 51% rye. Considering that Woodford Reserve barely squeaked by the legal limit with 53%, the flavor of its whiskey makes sense. All of the rye flavors you would want in a rye whiskey are present, they’re just quiet. The result is a whiskey that just about anyone can sip and enjoy. And honestly, it wouldn’t surprise us if that was exactly Woodford’s goal. The distillery’s standard offerings are soft and subtle, making them extremely approachable and accessible for all levels of whiskey drinkers.
In our opinion, if you’re a die-hard rye fan who likes to be practically punched with intense rye flavor, then this is not the whiskey for you. However, if you’re a bourbon lover who’s a bit rye-curious, this whiskey is a great introduction. Woodford Reserve Rye may not be the most ground-breaking or rye-est rye on the market, but it just might be the best middle ground rye out there.
STATS: Woodford Reserve Rye Whiskey
- Price for us: $37 for 750 mL
- Proof: 90.4
- Aged: NAS (Estimated 6-7 years)
- Distillery: Woodford Reserve, owned by Brown-Forman
- Recommendation: Neat
