Woodford Reserve: A Review For People Who Don’t Take Bourbon Too Seriously (But Also Kind of Do)

Woodford Reserve. The name itself sounds like it should be whispered in a mahogany-lined study, preferably by a man with a distinguished beard stroking a snifter of amber liquid. But let’s be real, most of us are enjoying this bourbon on our IKEA couches, probably still in sweatpants.

The Nose
The first whiff is like walking into a fancy candle store – all oak, vanilla, and a hint of “I spent more on this than I should have.” There’s also a bit of caramel and spice, but let’s be honest, you’re mostly paying for the privilege of saying “notes of oak” with a straight face.

The Taste
Surprisingly smooth, like a jazz solo that doesn’t make you want to throw your shoe at the musician. The sweetness is there, but it’s not your grandma’s cough syrup. There’s a complexity that makes you think, “huh, maybe I do have a refined palate after all.” Or maybe it’s just the placebo effect of the fancy bottle.