There’s a quiet revolution happening in Kentucky, and it isn’t about bourbon this time. Instead, it’s about malted barley — 100% of it — and the patience to let that grain speak after more than a decade in oak. Woodford Reserve has just unveiled its latest Distillery Series release, and this time it’s a 12-Year-Old American Single Malt Whiskey, and it may well redefine what American single malt can be.
An American Single Malt Twelve Years in the Making
Woodford Reserve
Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall oversaw the making of this new expression, which was triple pot distilled and laid down for a full twelve years in used whiskey barrels. Unlike the more typical use of new charred oak in bourbon, these second-life barrels allow a lighter color and layered subtleties to emerge.
“I’m excited to release this 12-year-old American Single Malt, a whiskey that proves just how essential long aging in used barrels is for unlocking its full flavor potential,” McCall said. “Its lighter color and nuanced flavor profile demonstrate the importance of time. I believe it’s one of the most authentic American Single Malts ever released — the first of its kind.”
Flavor Profile: Citrus, Spice, and Malted Depth
Woodford Reserve
Bottled at 90.4 proof, this release captures both restraint and depth, reflecting the craft ethos of Woodford’s Distillery Series. On the nose, there’s soft caramel, pear, and sun tea, accented by citrus brightness, lemon and ginger with a touch of cardamom. The palate leans into sweet nutty malt and caramel, developing into clove and black tea with lemon. The finish lingers with echoes of sun tea and lemon oil trailing gently.
Availability and Price
The Woodford Reserve 12-Year-Old American Single Malt is available in 375ml bottles, which feature a suggested retail price of $99.99. It is available in limited quantities at select Kentucky retailers, the Woodford Reserve Distillery, and online through the brand’s store (shipping restricted to KY, NH, ND, NE, and Washington, D.C.).
For a label best known for shaping modern bourbon, this release is something different — a patient experiment in malt, a statement of American whiskey’s expanding vocabulary.
