Tastes

Just a note: This Distiller entry was in reference to the 4 year, wax top, MGP-sourced bottle that could be had for $35 in ~2013-14. It was a pretty good showcase of MGP rye and how tasty it could be even at four years. It is nothing like the Willett distillate that is currently being bottled at much higher prices.

At $24/liter this has become the daily in our house outpacing the usual suspects: Wild Turkey 101, Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace, Old Forester 100, Old Gran-Dad BiB, Rittenhouse, and pretty much any sub-$40 bourbon/rye. However, I'm not too optimistic about what will happen once Sazerac runs out of OF distillate.

It's been a couple of years since I've had this and, despite the new branding, it isn't very good. It's the off-putting kind of brash, ashy, and any moderately notable flavors are so fleeting as to be forgettable. Other, ryes in the same price range that are better options: Rittenhouse & Elijah Craig, Old Forester, Dickel, Sazerac, Hochstadter's vatted, and probably Bulleit. Also, the price on this seems to vary somewhat drastically; I bought this bottle in Wisconsin for $26 but in Denver it seems to go for $40+. I won't be buying it again any time soon at either price--maybe in another five years when I'm feeling optimistic.

I had this when it first came out around 2012 (I think?) and I was not at all kind to it. After years of holding that initial experience against it, I've finally revisited a bottle and, hot damn, it's quite nice: cinnamon-heavy banana bread & orange peels. Given how we typically see brands deteriorate over time, I'm always excited to see one improve with the years. Now I'm looking forward to trying out some of the single barrels that are becoming available. Well done, Woodford, keep it up.

nuts. sweet cherries. pleasant heat.

vodka & chlorine. no thank you.

peppery. salty. grassy.

Tried semi-blind. This is a very pleasant rye. Sweet, balanced, warming baking spices & a hint of oak spice. Almost too easy to drink.

Pears. Slightly drying & bitter. Was given this in a double blind and it did not fare well.

Had this blind. Really fruity. Smells delicious. Thiiiiiiick. More please.