Woodford Reserve

I bought this the same day as the Gentleman Jack, again large discount (£10) in the supermarket was all the incentive I needed to give it a go, it's been on my wish list for a while 😃

It's similar to Gentleman Jack, it's a very sweet, smooth, mellow whiskey, vanilla, caramel, spice. Again, it's a good whiskey to drink neat, one sip at a time to enjoy the flavour, don't want to ruin it with coke or any other mixer.

But there's the problem, it's perhaps too mellow! Don't get me wrong, it's a nice drink, and you do feel the 43.2% kick rather than 40%, the taste lingers that little bit longer, but there's not much real flavour to it, you have to concentrate on it while drinking it. It's kind of forgettable. I prefer Gentleman Jack, that has a more lasting flavour to it. 

I did try Woodford Reserve with Coke, and also with lemonade (both 1 part spirit, 2 parts mixer) and it was a waste, with it being so mellow, the flavour was lost.

It's a nice drink, but in short I really don't think it's worth the extra money over Bulleit, although I think it's nicer than Bulleit Rye.

So my "league table" so far of American Whiskey/bourbon

1) Gentleman Jack

2) Bulleit

3) Woodford Reserve

4) Bulleit Rye

5) Jack Daniels

The first 3 I'll buy again, as I enjoyed them neat, Bulleit is better value for money, but I'd buy Gentlemen Jack again when on special offer. The last two, I wouldn't buy again, I'd drink either if out with Coke, but they wouldn't be my first choice of drink.

Gentleman Jack

Another case of a large price reduction (£10) in the supermarket twisting my arm to give Gentleman Jack a go, and I'm glad I did, I find Gentleman Jack to be much nicer than regular Jack Daniel's old No. 7. This I can very happily drink neat, no need for coke. I did try it with coke (ratio 1 part Gentleman jack, 2 parts coke), and as expected it was nice, very smooth, and sweet, however it would be a shame to pollute such a good whiskey with coke!

It's much smoother and sweeter than the traditional Jack Daniel's Old No. 7. The flavour is similar, vanilla, caramel, but where it has been charcoal filtered twice, rather than once, you can enjoy that flavour more as the harshness is gone, it's cleaner, but still a welcome slight kick with the finish.