Woodford adds blended rye to Distillery Series

Woodford Reserve has expanded its Distillery Series with the launch of a blended rye whiskey – the first of three rye whiskeys to be released under the range this summer.

Woodford Reserve Blended Rye Whiskey carries an age statement of 11 years

The blend contains the original 100% rye mash distillate used in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Aged Cask Rye expression, which was matured in used Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels.

Distilled in 2004, select quantities of this rye were held back to continue maturing until 2017, when it was blended with the last of the original Distiller’s Select Straight Rye – a recipe of 53% rye, 33% corn and 14% malted barley.

“The opportunity to blend two outstanding rye whiskey profiles was too good to pass up,” said Chris Morris, master distiller at Woodford Reserve’s parent company Brown-Forman.

“Since the entire Woodford Reserve Series concept is about flavour innovation, this whiskey series expression is sure to impress whiskey aficionados.”

Bottled at 45.2% abv, Woodford Reserve Blended Rye Whiskey carries an age statement of 11 years.

The expression will be followed by the launch of the Woodford Reserve Toasted Oak Rye in June this year. It consists of rye mash distillate that was matured in used Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels and finished in new Woodford Reserve Double Oaked barrels for two years.

Details of a third “speciality barrel-finished” rye will be revealed in coming months.

In November last year, Woodford Reserve unveiled new packaging in order to  create a “clear differentiation” within its family of brands.