Each year Woodford Reserve dresses its signature bourbon for the season, and the 2021 Holiday Edition takes its inspiration from home. The label is a detailed painted scene of the distillery's own still house at Versailles, Kentucky, with its three gleaming copper pot stills lined up beneath the timbered roof, stone walls and arched windows behind them, garland strung along the balcony rail, and a decorated Christmas tree glowing beside a stack of barrels. It captures exactly what a National Historic Landmark distillery looks like at Christmas, which makes it one of the more charming bottles in the annual holiday run. The whiskey inside is Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select, the distillery's flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon, produced on a site where distilling dates back to 1812. It is made from a mash of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley in those same copper pot stills using a traditional triple distillation process that is uncommon in American whiskey, and bottled at 45.2% ABV (90.4 proof). In the glass it is a rich golden amber. The nose opens with dried fruit, vanilla and toasted oak, joined by hints of mint, orange and cocoa. The palate is rounded and full, layering caramel, honey and dark chocolate with cinnamon, nutmeg and a gentle wave of rye spice over a satisfying oak backbone. The finish is long and silky, drying slowly with lingering spice, toasted wood and a touch of tobacco. It is excellent neat, over a large cube, or in a holiday Old Fashioned, and pairs beautifully with spiced cake, pecan pie or dark chocolate. Each holiday edition is produced for a single season and then retired, so the 2021 bottle has been off shelves for years. This is the 1 Liter size, a third more whiskey than the standard bottle.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
45.2% |
| Proof |
90.4 |
| Size |
1 Liter |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Edition |
2021 Holiday Edition |
| Distillery |
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky |
| Producer |
Brown-Forman |
| Mashbill |
72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Distillation |
Copper pot still, triple distilled |
| Age |
No Age Statement |
| Maturation |
New charred American oak |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich golden amber.
Nose: Dried fruit, vanilla and toasted oak with hints of mint, orange and cocoa.
Palate: Rounded and full, with caramel, honey and dark chocolate over cinnamon, nutmeg and gentle rye spice.
Finish: Long and silky, drying slowly with lingering spice, toasted wood and a touch of tobacco.
FAQ
What is the 2021 Holiday Edition?
It is Woodford Reserve's seasonal bottle for 2021, with a label depicting the distillery's own still house at Versailles decorated for Christmas.
What is shown on the label?
The distillery's three copper pot stills inside the historic still house, with garland on the balcony and a decorated Christmas tree beside the barrels.
Is the whiskey different from standard Woodford Reserve?
No. The bourbon inside is Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select at the same 90.4 proof. The holiday edition is distinguished by its seasonal packaging.
What is the mashbill?
It is made from 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley.
Is it still being produced?
No. Each holiday edition is made for one season and then retired, so the 2021 bottle is no longer in production.
Where can I buy Woodford Reserve 2021 Holiday Edition online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
