First Impressions
Woodford Reserve Rye launched in 2015 as the second permanent expression in the Woodford line-up. The mashbill is 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley — just over the legal minimum for rye.
Distillery & Heritage
Like its bourbon sibling it is distilled (in part) on Woodford's triple copper pot stills at the Labrot & Graham site in Versailles, Kentucky, then blended with column-distilled rye from Brown-Forman's Shively plant. Master Distiller Chris Morris developed the recipe to bridge bourbon drinkers and rye fans.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose offers rye bread, cracked pepper, mint and orange zest over vanilla oak. The palate opens sweet — caramel and vanilla — then builds peppery spice, clove, dill and dried citrus.
Verdict
An excellent gateway rye.
