Did Woodford Reserve used to be better?

[393foureyedfox]

As a another person without years of experience and basically no insight into what bourbon tasted like 10, 20 or 30 years ago, ignorance is bliss. There are plenty of good bourbons on the market today.

[squire]

As a another person without years of experience and basically no insight into what bourbon tasted like 10, 20 or 30 years ago, ignorance is bliss. There are plenty of good bourbons on the market today. Just keep tasting until you find what you like and stick with what makes your taste buds and wallet happy.

[black mamba]

I'm with squire on this one. I've said for years that if you took ETL, 4RSmB, OFS100 or EC12 and put them in a crytstal decanter, you could serve them to any bourbon snob and they would not be disappointed. And they are all under (some well under) $30 a fifth. Let the good times roll.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'd turn down a ND OT86 or a split label WT12.

[393foureyedfox]

I'm with squire on this one. I've said for years that if you took ETL, 4RSmB, OFS100 or EC12 and put them in a crytstal decanter, you could serve them to any bourbon snob and they would not be disappointed.

well.........one of them would be hard to confuse with anything else, and Id push it aside.... even blindly, i would be willing to bet

[Flyfish]

well.........one of them would be hard to confuse with anything else, and Id push it aside.... even blindly, i would be willing to bet

[Gillman]

I didn't read all the posts in the thread, but did someone not mention that WR used to be all-Shively make? It changed around batch 90. That is why it seemed better then, you didn't have the congeneric (relatively) Versailles element. Then too many appreciate the Versailles intensity of flavour, one that speaks of the pot still.

Gary

[squire]

Yes, the quandary of success. Brown-Forman used honey barrels from Old Forester stock to launch the Woodford brand while waiting for the new pot stilled whisky to mature then found the profile so popular they had to leave some Shivley made whisky in the mix.

[theglobalguy]

Yes, the quandary of success. Brown-Forman used honey barrels from Old Forester stock to launch the Woodford brand while waiting for the new pot stilled whisky to mature then found the profile so popular they had to leave some Shivley made whisky in the mix.

So it was sort of the "birthday Woodford" of its time?

[Paddy]

So it was sort of the "birthday Woodford" of its time?

It was good enough that a lot of folks around here were naming their pets Woodford. Those dogs are now past their prime, as is WR in my opinion.

[smokinjoe]

...Then too many appreciate the Versailles intensity of flavour, one that speaks of the pot still.

Gary

This would be my feeling on the whiskey, Gary. Certainly, not my favorite. Heck, not even in my Top 25. But, there is no doubt that it's profile is unique in the bourbon whiskey world, and that's why I "appreciate" it more than any other bourbon. I think it's fair to make the comparison that as Islays are to Scotch, Woodford is to Bourbon.

[squire]

So it was sort of the "birthday Woodford" of its time?

Yes, come to think of it, good way of expressing the concept.

[Gillman]

I agree in turn, Joe. It's got that difference: it is the pot still without a doubt despite 3 distillations and 159 distillation proof.

Gary

[BFerguson]

I sort of have to call BS on that. .

I'll give you partial credit on that Max.

Yes not every dusty or available product back in the day was a stunner. And yes, like Squire mentioned we are living in some very good times.

But I keep seeing what is happening around the market and think, shortages, removal of age statements, products taken away from the market, etc.......

And it paints a pretty sad picture at times.

It's not like we are asking for Pappy to be available on every shelf. Hell we just want AAA and VRO HH and maybe a occasional Weller 12 or ETL. Is it too much to ask????

B

[393foureyedfox]

It's not like we are asking for Pappy to be available on every shelf. Hell we just want AAA and VRO HH and maybe a occasional Weller 12 or ETL. Is it too much to ask????

B

i think not. while most people on here like to treat themselves to some upper shelf stuff now and then, Id bet the vast majority here drink from the middle shelf and lower shelf on a daily basis.

[dSculptor]

Hey guys, not sure if anyone is still reading this one, but yesterday the wife and I took a ride into town on the way there,I passed a small liquor store,and just had to stop in and take a look, after looking at his normal everyday shelfer's,we started talking,and told him I was looking for any older bottles that may be laying around somewhere,he took me behind the counter and showed me a decanter of JB for $25 that he still had in the box and offered it to me for $15 I politely passed,but way on the bottom shelf he had some WR that he said was old,I looked at ,but really didn't give it another thought till I got home and wondered if there are WR dusty's? I did not look at the batch # however, I have some older bottles of my own ,one with #11 (empty)and a current #823. I do notice that the earlier ones had a tan strip on it as opposed to the darker brown one that is on there now.

I'm just thinking maybe I should of grabbed one, now that I have read thru this thread.. just for comparison purposes. He also had some WT101 in what I believe to be 375ml. (hip flask shaped) I've never seen these around anywhere, but I'm sure they are.. ?

[squire]

As one grows older one realizes everything used to be better.

[jburlowski]

As one grows older one realizes everything used to be better.

[squire]

Live long enough and we would've been spectacular.

[yemenmocha]

I think it was better in the past. In my case, I'm thinking around 2000 or so. I visited the distillery then and I vividly remember how their bourbon was among my favorites, and I had a clear idea of the taste back then. Honestly, I really *want* to like them as much now, perhaps I even deceive myself into liking their current product more than I do. But, in all honesty, it isn't as I remembered it back then. And this is a case where I'm fairly confident that it isn't some sort of change in my palate and preferences.

[squire]

My feelings exactly, I wanted to like Woodford (still do) but it isn't there for me yet.