Meeting # 4: Woodford Reserve

Our 4th meeting was sponsored by our new friend, Mr. John Aguilar from Brown-Forman (the parent company of Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and Jack Daniels). Since May Is derby month, John schooled our club on all things Woodford Reserve and guided us through 5 of their whiskeys. If you weren't at this meeting, like myself... we missed out!! It's interesting to look at the mash bill from each whiskey and really see how the ratios change the flavor.

Here's the Woodford Reserve line-up:

1. Bourbon Whiskey: 72% Corn, 18% rye, 10% Malt

A balanced bourbon with bold grain and wood, sweet aromatics, spice, with fruity and floral notes. Great in cocktails, great neat. Classic Woodford.

2. Rye Whiskey: 33% Corn, 53% rye, 14% Malt

Considered a low-rye (remember, a rye must be a minimum of 51% to make the cut). Many modern ryes are heavier than this. However, this low-rye Woodford is more consistent with a traditional rye. The rye adds a pleasant spice, but with a slightly sweet and fruity finish.

3. Malt Whiskey: 47% Corn, 2% rye, 51% Malt

Aged in New charred oak barrels. Nutty and sweet. Stylistic of the pre-prohibition era.

4. Wheat Whiskey: 20% Corn, 8% rye 20% Malt, 52% Wheat

Soft, smooth, fruit forward whiskey. Sharing similarities with Pappy Van Winkle, which is also wheated.

5. Double-Oaked: 72% Corn, 18% rye, 10% Malt

While sharing the same mash bill as their flagship bourbon, this bourbon is barreled twice, creating a rich and colorful profile. 1st in a white oak barrel, and finished in a deeply toasted/light char barrel. (Meeting #2 was all about barrel treatment!)

A huge thank you to Woodford, and John for sharing his expertise...and whiskey!! We should invite him more often! Mark your calendars for June 13th for a very unique theme! Same time. Same place. Cheers!!