Today I look at another side by side bourbon comparison; this week between one of my favourite bourbons against one of John’s favourite bourbons. I look at the Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon.
Both very well known and readily available in South Africa. I wonder which of these two will be the favourite after our side by side afternoon experiments.
For these side by side comparisons, we usually move out onto the patio (it is summer in SA right now and pleasantly warm) and then pour two glasses of each and then sit back and taste.
When you have two bourbons next to each other, you can better understand the different spices and sweet notes that each bourbon has.
Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey
Bulleit Bourbon whiskey was inspired by a 150-year-old family recipe created by founder, Tom Bulleit’s, great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky. The younger Bulleit first served in the US Marine Corps and then went to law school.
But he always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he created a small batch bourbon, bearing the family name. To make sure it is qualified as bourbon, he’s adjusted the mash bill to 68% corn, 28% rye and 4% malted barley.
The Bulleit bourbon bottle shape is modelled on the medicine bottles of old, with raised lettering and a skew label. Just like it might have looked in the 1860s. Today it is owned by Diageo and is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA.
Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
Woodford Reserve is a brand of small-batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. A distiller named Elijah Pepper began producing small amounts of whiskey in 1797 and soon afterwards built a distillery.
Following Elijah’s death in 1831, his son Oscar Pepper inherited the distillery. The distillery became known as The Oscar Pepper Distillery. He hired a Scotsman, Dr James Crow as the head distiller.
Crow was a qualified physician and a chemist. He championed the sour mash fermentation process that is key in the production of bourbon. After changing hands a few times and falling in disrepair, Brown-Forman purchased the property in 1993 and refurbished it to bring it back into operation. They renamed it The Woodford Reserve Distillery in 2003.
The mash bill for Woodford Reserve features a high percentage of rye. It has a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt ratio. Unusual also for being triple distilled and having the lowest proof upon entering the barrel where it matures for at least 6 years.
Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey
| Bulleit Bourbon | Woodford Reserve Bourbon | |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | 45% | 43.2% |
| Type | Bourbon whiskey | Bourbon whiskey |
| Mashbill | 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt |
| Colour | Light amber | Clear honey amber |
| Nose | Quite spicy, lacking the more traditional bourbon sweetness. Some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding and vanilla bean. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through. | Honey sweetness with apricots and oranges. There are bits of condensed milk richness mixed with vanilla and hints of spices. |
| Palate | Loads of spice, but is not overwhelmingly spicy. After the initial spice, there are notes of toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange floating about. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. Water brings sweetness forward. | Oak and sweetness perfectly balanced with a bit of apricot and cinnamon spiciness. Notes of tangy winter fruits and vanilla mixed with toffee. Creamy and smooth with a full body and a satisfying mouthfeel |
| Finish | Long and lingering, it stays with you long after finishing the glass. Notes of mild spice and hints of oak. | Long and lingering and ends in notes of sweet spices |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Comments | It's a rich, chewy mouthful of bourbon. Bold character | Smooth with a great balance between sweet and spicy. |
| Price | $33 | $40 |
| Pairs well with | Bacon, spicy BBQ chicken wings | Aged Parmesan cheese, dark chocolate, roasted hazelnuts, Hawaiian Pizza |
The Woodford Reserve bourbon is softer, sweeter with notes of fruity apricot, vanilla and oak. The balance between sweetness and oak spice is inviting, and this bottle leaves a smile on my face. In comparison, the Bulleit is bolder, spicier with notes of orange and vanilla.
Both of these releases have a strong finish, and the traditional oak and vanilla note that, for me, characterises a bourbon. The Bulleit bourbon has a unique character that makes it more memorable, and John loves it. He does not need any help in finishing the Bulleit bourbon.
If you like a softer, sweeter bourbon, the Woodford Reserve is perfect. If you are looking for something bolder and spicier, then grab the Bulleit. Both of these releases are worth space on your whiskey shelf. I am rather happy that John prefers to Bulleit, now I don’t have to share my bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon with him.
I have also done a side by side comparison between the Woodford Rye and the Bulleit Rye as well as with the Buffalo Trace to see how they stack up against each other.
Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve
Michael Glaub
Next to my Fav Jim Beam, Woodford Res. is my next go to. Normally more expensive everywhere. Known to be more of a high glass Bourbon or a fad not sure. Smell is great with always a great finish.
Jim
These were both the next level Bourbons for me once I got beyond Jack. I love them both equally. Just depends on my tastes for the night. I’m also a huge fan of Whistle Pig which I stumbled upon at a BBQ joint with a legit bourbon collection. And if you want to slum it with your Q, I love me a Dickle Rye or #12 with a pickle back. It’s like candy.