Skip to main content

Woodford Reserve Debuts New Malt Whiskey Expression

woodford reserve malt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

American malt whiskeys are a big deal these days and one of the bigger plays on the whiskey scene—Woodford Reserve—has officially joined the fray with their newest release, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey.

Recommended Videos

The recipe for the new whiskey was based on historical recipes and influenced by Woodford Reserve Bourbon. When the US (thankfully) exited Prohibition, malt whiskey was one of the four approved categories of whiskey, proving that it was being created and consumed pre-Prohibition. Using these recipes as a launching point, Master Distiller Chris Morris then worked to create his own iteration.

“Inspired by history and a distinct flavor profile, Woodford Reserve is charting its own unique path with this new malt whiskey based on historical precedence and our commitment to flavor, something that’s ingrained in everything we do,” Morris said in a statement.

This is the fourth addition to the brand’s permanent portfolio (the previous three being Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, and Woodford Reserve Rye). Woodford Reserve also produces a number of limited runs of special whiskeys, which have included bourbons finished in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir barrels, among a wide variety of other specialties. (They also do limited edition Kentucky Derby bottles every year.)

The grain bill of the new whiskey, as you might expect, is 51-percent malted barley. The rest is made of 47-percent corn and 2-percent rye. (If you’re playing along at home, that means this is not a bourbon, no matter how hard the guy at the bottle shop argues with you about it. It doesn’t matter how many whiskey Facebook groups he belongs to, he’s wrong. Let him be wrong.)

On the nose, Malt is nutty, with hints of caramel and milk chocolate shading light tropical notes. On the palate, you’ll find more chocolate—darker this time—and more caramel. Some toasted coconut and oak present themselves in addition to some baking spices. A medium long finish comes last, bringing sweet malt notes to the very end.

If you’re a fan of Scotch or Irish whisk(e)y, the malted barley flavors will be appealing and immediately recognizable. If you’re not, well, time to dive in to the exciting category of American malt whiskeys!

Woodford Reserve Malt comes in at 90.4 proof and retails for $34.99. It is available nationwide.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Woodford Reserve is collaborating to launch a whiskey chocolate bar
Woodford Reserve is launching a Double Oaked chocolate bar
Compartés

For most of us, stocking stuffers consist of random trinkets, novelty socks, toiletries, lip balm, and lottery tickets. Because of this, they aren’t the most exciting part of the holiday season. That said, we didn’t think the perfect stocking stuffer existed until we realized that Woodford Reserve was collaborating with a well-known chocolatier to launch whiskey chocolate bars.

Woodford Reserve teamed up with award-winning Los Angeles-based gourmet chocolate brand Compartés to launch a limited-edition chocolate bar just in time for the holiday season.
Compartés x Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Chocolate bar

Read more
New Riff is launching a rye whiskey made with biscuit malt
New Riff's new whiskey is made with an ingredient usually found in beer
New Riff Distilling

New Riff Distilling is well-known for its limited-release expressions. Recently, it announced a new, unique whiskey. It’s a Kentucky straight rye whiskey explicitly made with biscuit malt.
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey made with Biscuit Malt

It’s Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, made with Biscuit Malt. It’s the newest release in the “New Riff High Note Series,” created to showcase unique barrel aging, limited releases, and other special expressions.

Read more
Redwood Empire Whiskey is releasing two new unique expressions
They're releasing a bottled-in-bond bourbon and a rye whiskey
Redwood Empire

Redwood Empire Whiskey has made quite a name for itself in the last few years thanks to its well-made, award-winning expressions crafted and aged in the “ancient forest of the Redwood Empire” in California.

Recently, the brand launched two new expressions. Both are award-winning bottled-in-bond whiskeys from the 100% grain-to-glass, artisanal whisky outfit. The first is Grizzly Beast Bourbon and the second is Rocket Top Rye.
Grizzly Beast Bourbon

Read more