Accoding to MSNBC, the favored bourbon of the rich is ...

[OldJack]

... Woodford Reserve.

Given the marketing angle, I can see this.

[BourbonJoe]

Now if the rich only knew about GOOD bourbon, they'd buy it all up and there would be none for us.

Joe :usflag:

[jeff]

Woodford Reserve tastes like money. Pennies to be exact

[CorvallisCracker]

My wife, who has expensive tastes, likes WR, so this doesn't surprise me.

[ILLfarmboy]

Tried it once. I was unimpressed. I remember it as thin and dry with that copper edge Jeff mentioned. I had it on the rocks, though, which is very unusually for me. I had intended on having it neat. I was at a bar and it was one of those instances where I said to a member in our group: I'll buy if you fly.......So, it could have been his mistake or the barman's.

I have to admit I sort of cringe when a newbie mentions Woodford as one of the pours he has tried and likes.

Someone must be buying the stuff. "The rich", it would seem.

[cas]

Haven't had a bottle lately, but it had been highly variable for a while. The last I had was probably 2 or 3 years ago and it was pretty good. Before that I had some that was thin and tasteless.

Craig

[CorvallisCracker]

I'm sure the packaging has something to do with it. You gotta admit, it is a classy bottle.

[NorCalBoozer]

Haven't had a bottle lately, but it had been highly variable for a while. The last I had was probably 2 or 3 years ago and it was pretty good. Before that I had some that was thin and tasteless.

Craig

This has been my experience as well Craig. The first bottle I bought was terrible. I swore it off.

I then received a second bottle as a gift. Was a real fine pour. very very good. nice deep flavors.

I would purchase a bottle now (at a reasonable price).

Greg

[kitzg]

WR is a great place to visit and BF has done a very good job of getting on-premise consumption as well as overall exposure

(example: During the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes® , race fans could toast with an exclusive cocktail and limited edition collectible glass available only at Belmont Park® in Elmont, New York. For every Woodford Reserve® cocktail sold in this unique glass, Woodford Reserve donated $3 to Belmont Park-based charities Anna House and Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.), which assist racetrack workers and their families.)

In many locals WR might be the better bourbon available.

They've been pretty nice to SB.com over the years. That said, If I could only pick three bottles WR would not be one of them.

[fishnbowljoe]

I'm not rich, but the two bottles of WR I've had were pretty good. I hope my luck holds out. One of my sons friends is a bar manager. He manages a bar where mostly younger people hang out, and he said the WR just doesn't sell, so he's trying to get rid of it. I'm not complaining. He's selling me two bottles for $30. I can live with that.:cool: Joe

[craigthom]

The local horse track here has fancy Woodford Reserve cocktails, too, as well as big banners for Jack Daniels and Early Times Mint Julep. During a little race in May they even made a giant Early Times Mint Julep.

[ILLfarmboy]

... One of my sons friends is a bar manager. He manages a bar where mostly younger people hang out, and he said the WR just doesn't sell, so he's trying to get rid of it...

Did he say what bourbons do sell well among the young crowd?

I'm guessing WT and Makers but I'm 38.....

[SBOmarc]

As others have said, this pour seems to vary from very good to almost undrinkable. When I have enjoyed it, it is on the rocks. I don't know what that means.

I do like the bottle though. And the marketing rivals the Maker's bunch.

[fishnbowljoe]

You're half right Brad. JBWhite and MM. He says he has a few older patrons, a couple of which he gets a special Scotch for, but mostly it's Jack Daniels, Captain Morgan, flavored vodka, and some tequila that I can't remember the name of. Joe

[tsangster]

A friend of mine visited Kentucky about a month ago and I threatened to provide her with a shopping list prior to her departure. Unfortunately, I never did but at one of the gatherings here at the house I had mentioned that I wanted to try some of the Four Roses offerings. During her visit to KY she stopped by one of the local package stores and asked which version of Four Roses would make a good gift for a friend. The person working at the store basically told her that Four Roses was crap and that the best choice for a gift would be Woodford Reserve.

Knowing that I wanted to try Four Roses because it is not available here she was quite peeved when she returned with a bottle of WR and discovered that it was available here. I suppose having merchants push your product can't hurt it's popularity.

[55bill]

I tried a mini of WR within the last twelve months. Admittedly based on this very limited sample, it struck me as watery, lacking in mouth-feel, taste, and finish. I keep a bottle in the cabinet for display purposes, but at $30 locally for 750 ml, there are a number of other bourbons that compare favorably in both taste and price. However, I do admire the verve Brown-Forman had in offering this product and resurrecting/maintaining the pot still craft. And we still like Old Forester as an everyday, value bourbon.

[bigtoys]

I have to admit that WR was one of my first bourbons, probably based on the shape of the bottle.

Then, I discovered Pappy 20-thanks to Dave at Binny's HP--that's what he recommended I buy for a gift for someone who liked Booker's. Thank G-D that "the rich" haven't discovered Pappy or some of the other better bourbons that we all like.

BTW, a bartender at Blue Smoke in NYC gave me my first taste of 4R 1B after I expressed an interest in bourbon--especially their special vW bourbon. He must have thought highly of it.

[birdman1099]

My Boss' favorite bourbon WAS Woodford Reserve.

Then he came to my house, and now he has a couple new favorites.:grin:

[ILLfarmboy]

I'm sure the packaging has something to do with it. You gotta admit, it is a classy bottle.

I was well into trying different bourbons before I gave woodford a go. I would hate to think my reluctance was due to something as trivial as bottle shape. But it just doesn't do it for me. Different strokes.............

[ILLfarmboy]

....

Then he came to my house, and now he has a couple new favorites.:grin:

That made me smile..........

[cigarnv]

I have never been able to warm up to WR .... never hits my palate in the right way.

Over the years I have found the rich buy marketing hype, believe that quality and price go hand in hand and, buy to impress rather than consume in many cases.

Us plain old middle class folks tend to buy what we like, understand that quality and price often bear no relationship to one another and, find products of good value most pleasing......

[B1bomber]

I have to agree with what seems to be the consensus... WR is pretty weak. Not that it's terrible, it's just not very robust or complex. Smooth, maybe, but smooth to a fault almost. I compare it to Basil Hayden in that way. Drinkable, but lacking the bite that I think a bourbon should have.

[OscarV]

WR was one of the first bottles I got when I started to get serious and it made me have second thoughts about bourbon.

But lucky for me I got a few other bottles along with that WR and they saved me.

[Special Reserve]

I liked WR about 6 years ago. Since then, I believe that my taste has developed, and if I may, the quality of WR has varied.

Will

[drli]

I havent had a bottle of Woodfords for a while now.. May be since the price went from $20 per 750 to $30.

but, I remember that I like it more then the bottles of Blaton's I have had, which cost way more.