Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by Brown-Forman, the brand's flagship bottling launched in 1996. It is made from a grain mash bill with an elevated rye content: 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. It is bottled at 43.2% ABV.
The whiskey is made at the Woodford Reserve distillery in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky, a site listed as a National Historic Landmark. The art of bourbon making first appeared here in 1812. What sets it apart is a production technology unusual for an American bourbon. Woodford Reserve is triple distilled in copper pot stills, an extraordinary method for American bourbon. Production uses limestone-filtered water and a proprietary yeast strain designated 72B. Woodford employs a 5–7 day fermentation, long for this category, allowing the mash to develop a more complex spectrum of flavours, while the chosen yeast strain draws out more fruity and estery notes.
The Distiller's Select profile is dominated by sweet and spicy notes. The nose offers honey and spice, leather, a touch of cocoa, a hint of smoke, toasted oak and vanilla cream with a note of caramel toffee. On the palate the whiskey is thick and full, with notes of espresso beans, winter spices, grainy sweetness, pronounced rye, ground ginger, almond oil, toasted oak and a touch of rum. The finish is long and mature, with notes of grain and toasted oak spice.
Woodford Reserve is a versatile whiskey that works equally well neat and in classic cocktails. It can be served neat, on the rocks or as an ingredient in classic cocktails such as the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan. For years the brand has remained the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.