Woodford Reserve Barrel Strength Rye
125.1 proof
NAS (estimated 6–7 years)
Rye
Woodford Reserve
$129.99
53% rye, ~40% corn, ~7% malted barley
Nose
Sugar pops/corn pops cereal sweetness; gentle spice with pepper, clove, and mint; noses below its proof with soft, non-aggressive ethanol; does not scream rye but clearly rye-forward or high-rye bourbon character.
Palate
Nice sweetness balanced by graininess; prominent rye grain character (rather than corn grain); very cereal-driven and grain-forward; a slight resemblance to other pot-still ryes; clove and leather notes add complexity; traditional Kentucky rye profile.
Finish
Dry finish with lingering grain and spice; a clean, classic rye conclusion.
Overall Score
3.8 / 5
A textbook pot-still Kentucky rye that noses soft but delivers prominent cereal and grain character on the palate—a well-crafted, traditional expression that defines the category.
1.0
Undrinkable
2.0
Substandard
3.0
Average
4.0
Very good
5.0
Perfection
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