Woodford Reserve 'Distiller's Selection' Straight Wheat Whiskey, Kentucky

Soft fruit aromatics and refined spice introduce the Woodford Reserve Distiller's Selection Straight Wheat Whiskey, a historic-inspired expression that places wheat at the forefront of its grain bill. Crafted with the same precision that defines the Woodford Reserve portfolio, this whiskey offers a delicate yet layered profile that balances sweetness, spice, and structure. It reflects the distillery’s long-standing dedication to tradition, innovation, and the five sources of flavor that shape every release.

Product Details:

• Master Distillers: Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall
• Mashbill: 52% Wheat, 20% Malt, 20% Corn, 8% Rye
• Proof: 90.4
• ABV: 45.2%

Sensory Description:

Deep amber in the glass, the nose opens with aromatic cinnamon and cedar layered over cooked apple, pear, and banana. Floral notes mingle with light vanilla bean and brown sugar sweetness, offering elegance rather than weight. The palate delivers spicy applesauce and toasted coconut alongside earthy mint and cocoa nib, creating a balanced interplay between grain softness and spice. The finish is dry and focused, carrying subtle cocoa and lingering apple peel. Compared to traditional rye-forward American whiskeys, this wheat-driven expression leans smoother and more floral, with rounded sweetness and refined spice at its core.

Awards & Accolades:

• Silver: San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2023)
• Bronze: San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2020)

Distiller’s Background:

Situated on a historic Kentucky site where bourbon production dates back to 1812, Woodford Reserve operates as a National Historic Landmark distillery. Guided by Master Distillers Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall, the distillery combines long fermentation, copper pot and column distillation, and in-house cooperage practices to craft whiskeys of depth and precision. Their philosophy centers on balancing grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation to create expressive and historically rooted spirits.

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy neat or with a few drops of water to open its floral and fruit-driven complexity. This wheat whiskey also performs beautifully in classic cocktails such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, where its soft grain sweetness and cocoa undertones add nuance without overpowering.