This was a semi-last minute purchase as we were hosting the Kentucky Derby. Mint juleps, of course, were the cocktail of the day. So I grabbed a bottle of the official whiskey sponsor of the derby with this year’s version of Woodford’s 2024 derby bottling. N: warm apple caramel crumb cake, like a Sunday morning cake fresh out of the oven. Suede leather, vanilla oak, adds a soft earthy sweetness. A few minutes in the glass and notes of cream soda take root, a dusting of baking spices add to the pool of aromas. P: The first few sips draw cinnamon apple strudel. The body is thin; alcohol thin (thinner than water). Charred oak, white pepper, caramel, brown sugar, apricots add to the thin body providing a bit of flavor to the palate. F: The finish is thin and medium short. A bit an oaken char, leather and white pepper ride out the dram. O: As a sipper, this is a perfect bourbon as a beginner whiskey. Good aromas with typical sweetened bourbon flavors that are not overly dominating. As a mixer, it holds enough punch to fight the dilution funneling the flavors through. Elijah Craig or Four Roses Small Batch provide stronger flavor with more oak, cinnamon and caramel, which would be a first grab over the Woodford Reserve. As the main ingredient for Mint Juleps, it produces an enjoyable, for the masses, cocktail that none would refuse (and only refuse because of the mint). And for the record, Mystik Dan was a winner by a nose. [$43][84/100][Tasted: 5/10/24]