Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

Product Description

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey: The Malt Whiskey for Bourbon Drinkers

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey is what happens when a bourbon distillery makes a malt whiskey on its own terms. Added to the core lineup in June 2018, it's the fourth permanent line extension in the Distiller's Select portfolio, after the original Bourbon, Double Oaked, and Rye. It's made at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, with the same triple pot still distillation and new charred oak aging that define the brand's bourbons, but with a mash bill built around malted barley instead of corn.

Unlike the 100% malt whiskies most people know from Scotland, this is an American straight malt whiskey, and Woodford Reserve's own team is clear that it's not meant to compete with single malt Scotch. Instead, it sits closer to bourbon: nutty, chocolatey, and easy to approach, but with a malt backbone that sets it apart. It's a great introduction to American malt whiskey for bourbon fans, and a good bottle for malt drinkers who want to see what Kentucky can do.

How Woodford Reserve Straight Malt Is Made

The mash bill is 51% malted barley, 47% corn, and 2% rye, so malt just meets the legal minimum to qualify as a malt whiskey, and the corn keeps it rounded and familiar. It's triple distilled in Woodford Reserve's copper pot stills, then aged in new charred oak barrels, which is why it carries more caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak than a typical malt. As a straight whiskey, it's matured for at least two years. It's bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV), the same strength as the rest of the core Woodford Reserve range.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Warm umber.

Nose: Soft nutty notes drizzled with light caramel and milk chocolate over a layer of fruit, including apple, dried fruit, and tropical fruit. Hints of brown spice, savory mint, and brown sugar mingle with the rich note of freshly milled toasted oak.

Palate: Dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted nuts, joined by oak, coconut, and pepper. The malt comes through as malted milk, granola, and sweet cornbread.

Finish: Long and nutty, with subtly sweet chocolate malt and a slow, peppery warmth.

Food Pairings

The nutty, chocolatey character of Woodford Reserve Malt pairs well with dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and aged cheddar. It also goes well with smoked sausage, grilled pork, and barbecue. For dessert, try it with a chocolate malt ice cream, a pecan tart, or s'mores.

Serving Suggestions

Woodford Reserve Straight Malt is best sipped neat or with a few drops of water, to bring out the layers of nut, chocolate, and fruit. A single large ice cube works well if you like it colder. It also makes an interesting base for cocktails, from an Old Fashioned to a Manhattan, where the malt adds a nutty backbone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mash bill? 51% malted barley, 47% corn, and 2% rye.

What proof is it? 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV).

How is it made? Triple distilled in copper pot stills and aged in new charred oak barrels.

How is it different from Scotch single malt? It's made with 51% malted barley (not 100%), includes corn and rye, and is aged in new charred oak rather than used casks, which gives it a sweeter, nuttier, more bourbon-like character.

Is it a good whiskey for bourbon drinkers? Yes. Woodford Reserve designed it as an approachable bridge between bourbon and American malt whiskey.

How old is it? It has no age statement, but as a straight whiskey it is at least two years old.

Where is it made? At the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky.

Explore More

Want to see the 100% malt version? Check out the rare Woodford Reserve Classic Malt, part of the Master's Collection. Browse our full Bourbon collection for more Kentucky bourbons, or shop the Whiskey collection to compare American malts and other styles.

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