Woodford Reserve Bourbon 375ML is a 45.2% ABV (90.4 proof) Kentucky straight bourbon in a 375ml bottle, blending pot still and column still distillates from Woodford County, Kentucky. This expression has earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and consistently scores 90+ points from the Beverage Testing Institute.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof) | Origin: Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky | No Age Statement | Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Woodford Reserve Distillery historically known as the Labrot & Graham Distillery sits in Versailles, Kentucky, and is one of the state’s most storied bourbon-making sites. The bourbon uses a mashbill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley. What distinguishes this expression is its dual-distillation approach: pot still distillate is triple distilled in three copper pot stills imported from Scotland at the Woodford County site, while column still distillate is double distilled at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky. The two are then mingled at bottling. Woodford Reserve also operates one of the oldest steam-heated rackhouses in Kentucky, where barrels are heat-cycled year-round to intensify interaction between the whiskey and charred oak a traditional technique that has largely disappeared from modern bourbon production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich dried fruit leads the nose, followed by hints of mint and orange dusted with cocoa. Faint vanilla and tobacco spice settle underneath, giving the aroma layered depth.

Taste: The palate entry is chewy and rounded, with butterscotch and vanilla arriving first. At mid-palate, complex citrus and cinnamon emerge alongside chocolaty mocha coffee. The peak brings gingerbread warmth, toasted oak, and a distinctive char-grilled sweetcorn character that reflects the high corn mashbill.

Finish: Long and satisfying, with lightly spiced char-grilled corn and oaky butterscotch lingering. Delicate cinnamon and brown sugar fade gradually, leaving a clean, warm close.

How to Drink Woodford Reserve

At 90.4 proof, Woodford Reserve holds up well neat but also opens with a few drops of water, revealing additional dried fruit and vanilla complexity. On the rocks, the whiskey maintains its structure without becoming thin. Three cocktails where this bourbon excels: the Old Fashioned, where the butterscotch and cinnamon notes harmonize with bitters and sugar; the Mint Julep Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, making this a natural pairing; and the Boulevardier, where the mocha and dried fruit character stands up to Campari’s bitterness.

Best For

• Sampling a premium bourbon without committing to a full 750ml bottle
• Bringing a quality bourbon to a dinner party or tasting event
• Building a home bar with approachable yet complex whiskey
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast a convenient travel-ready format

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Woodford Reserve taste like? Woodford Reserve delivers a rich, rounded palate of butterscotch, vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, and chocolaty mocha, followed by a long finish of oaky butterscotch and char-grilled sweetcorn. The high rye content in the mashbill adds notable spice complexity.

How does Woodford Reserve compare to Michter’s US*1 Bourbon? Both are balanced, approachable Kentucky straight bourbons with prominent caramel and vanilla notes. Woodford Reserve tends toward greater complexity due to its pot-still component and heat-cycled aging, while Michter’s US*1 leans slightly smoother and more straightforward on the palate.

Is Woodford Reserve good for sipping neat? Yes its 90.4 proof provides enough body and intensity for neat sipping without being overly hot, and the layered flavor profile rewards slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Woodford Reserve made? Woodford Reserve is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky, with additional column still distillate sourced from the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Woodford Reserve? Dark chocolate truffles complement the mocha and cocoa notes. Smoked pork shoulder mirrors the bourbon’s char and caramel sweetness. Pecan pie echoes its butterscotch and toasted nut character. Aged cheddar matches the oak spice, and grilled stone fruit highlights the underlying dried fruit aromatics.

What sizes does Woodford Reserve come in? Woodford Reserve Bourbon is widely available in 375ml, 750ml, and 1L bottles, as well as 50ml miniatures.

Is Woodford Reserve worth the price? Woodford Reserve positions as a premium bourbon within the category, sitting above everyday mixers but below allocated, age-stated releases. Its dual-distillation process and consistent critical acclaim including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition deliver strong value at this tier.

Why Woodford Reserve?

Few Kentucky bourbons combine pot still and column still distillates in a single expression, and that dual method gives Woodford Reserve a texture and complexity that most competitors in its range cannot replicate. The year-round heat cycling in steam-heated rackhouses one of the oldest such operations still functioning in Kentucky pushes barrel interaction beyond what standard seasonal temperature swings achieve. Multiple awards, including a 2013 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best in Class honors at the International Spirits Challenge, validate the consistency of the liquid across production years. The 375ml format makes this an accessible way to experience a genuinely distinctive bourbon without a full-bottle commitment.