Woodford Reserve Straight Malt

This new arrival in my area surprised me when I spotted the bottle. The components are familiar scotch ingredients, but the American production method made it an intriguing possibility. The aroma is deep, featuring chocolate and citrus, reminiscent of a chocolate orange candy. Beneath that, notes of malted grain emerge with faint traces of spice and peppermint. It's a fitting scent for the festive season. The taste mirrors the aroma, beginning with dark cocoa, then distinctly American, it introduces plenty of warm, baked spices. Here, the corn in the grain bill overshadows the barley, pushing the back of the palate squarely into bourbon territory. The finish is light but lingers sufficiently to present some tannins and botanical notes. Considering its cost, this is an excellent holiday bottle. It smells like scotch, tastes like bourbon, and is easy on the budget. Good job, WR.

Some people say this is a mix of Bourbon and Scotch, but to me, it doesn't resemble Scotch at all. It's more like their bourbon with some extra tastes. I still get a lot of cherry, but now there's sweet and sour apple too. It's like a flavor explosion, and I really like it. The pot still texture is noticeable, which is a big plus in my opinion. As a big Scotch fan, I appreciate the extra malt presence, but it's not overpowering. There's plenty of bourbon oak and vanilla, balanced by sweet and sour fruits and barley. The finish has the expected barrel notes and char, but the lasting malt support is unexpected. I truly enjoyed this, and for a low $30 price, it's a definite repeat buy. It's not complicated, but it has good depth and richness....86/100.....If you're a fan of that particular brand, you'll probably enjoy this.

Noticeably and significantly different from other Woodinville releases, this whiskey's aroma is incredibly vivid. It presents sweet chocolate notes, some herbal characteristics, and a hint of aged, dusty pine. The palate is equally lively, featuring fruit and chocolate alongside a pleasant grassy quality and even a touch of mint. It would be difficult to identify malted barley as the primary grain due to oaky, grassy notes suggesting an unconventional bourbon (likely from the high corn content in the mash bill) and slight herbal hints reminiscent of rye. However, the subtle fruit notes make it a truly distinctive and enjoyable drink, which I actually prefer over the standard bourbon.

Initial aroma is musty, with malted barley shining through. Further smelling reveals chocolate, with a touch of vanilla and spice. Palate: It's creamy at first, like pudding, followed by chocolate. A pleasant vanilla note emerges on the finish, and it remains creamy throughout. A very enjoyable pour, offering a great experience from aroma to finish! An excellent bottle with much to savor!

I purchased the incorrect bottle, as I was seeking the regular bourbon. I have to make the best of it, though. It smells like sweet and sour sauce with white wine and chocolate sauce, as well as nail polish. Very tobacco, leather, and umami forward. Peppery finish. It wasn't as bad as I recalled. Works very well in a Whiskey & Coke.

Picture the inside of a malted milk ball without the chocolate. Now picture that malty treat covered in green peppers and crushed coffee beans, then lightly dipped in vanilla extract. If you're thinking it's an acquired taste at best, or not for you at worst, then we agree.