Woodford Reserve announced via Breaking Bourbon that the Brown-Forman owned brand was venturing into one of whiskey’s hottest new categories: the American Single Malt. The brand’s American Single Malt features a 12-year age statement and hosts a suggested retail price of $99.99 for a 375 ml bottle. It is available in limited quantities.
The Woodford Team triple pot distilled the whiskey from 100% malted barley and spent 12 years aging in used whiskey barrels. Woodford shares that it made the purposeful choice to age the liquid for as long as possible.
“I’m excited to release this 12-year-old American Single Malt, a whiskey that proves just how essential long aging in used barrels is for unlocking its full flavor potential,” said Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall in a statement. “Its lighter color and nuanced flavor profile demonstrate the importance of time. I believe it’s one of the most authentic American Single Malts ever released — the first of its kind.”
Woodford Reserve shared that its American Single Malt has an aroma of orchard fruit, like pears, coupled with sun tea, presumably from the whiskey’s malted barley mashbill. The palate is nutty and sweet, with caramel and more of that tea-driven throughline. The tea aromas segue throughout the finish, interspersed with lemon oil.
Woodford Reserve’s 12 Year Old American Single Malt clocks in at 90.4 proof. This release is available at Woodford’s Distillery starting August 14, and at specialized retailers.
In December, Whisky Magazine reported that the American Single Malt category finally achieved federal recognition after a lengthy waiting period. According to the ruling, for a whiskey to qualify it must contain a mashbill of 100% malted barley, have a distillation proof of 160 or less, and be distilled at the same distillery within the United States. As far as aging is concerned, it must complete the maturation process in used, charred new or un-charred new oak barrels with a maximum capacity of 700 liters.
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