I’m always slightly hesitant to hawk any sort of product here because, well, I just look like a sell out. But if I really like something, I’m going to tell other people about it and, let’s face it, the word of mouth you can’t buy is the best kind of advertising. (The word of mouth you can buy probably isn’t the kind you want.) Anyway, I’ve recently found something new to promulgate—and not just because I haven’t finished the article I was working on and needed filler, mind you.

[As a side note not related to anything else in this article, let me say that I’m making an effort to do two things: 1) not apologize so much for not posting when I say I will and 2) try to post more “slice of life” things, by which I mean that kind of dreck everyone else writes about in their blogs. I figure it would be better to post ~750 words related to random crap I did rather than 24 apologizing that nothing is getting posted today because I’m too busy (you all know I’m busy) and that I’ll be back later in the week. Okay, that’s it for the housekeeping…]

If you know what the title of this article is refering to, you already know where I’m going, here. Woodford Reserve is a brand of Kentucky bourbon. I was perusing through the liquor store the other day, killing time since the Crispani order I phoned in the Panera Bread didn’t get made because the girl who took the call was new and didn’t realize that you actually had to give the order to someone for it to get converted from “abstract linguistic request” to “food”. In addition to killing time, I was also looking to supplement my usual ration of vodka.

Not to change the subject, but I was a bit dismayed to see Gray Goose priced as high as it was. I could have sworn I didn’t pay that much for it last time. Maybe it was on sale. Anyway, as far as liquors I like go, Gray Goose is up there, but I’ve found Three Olives to be a good, much cheaper alternative.

I found myself in the whiskey and bourbon aisle, not entirely by chance as I was considering picking up a bottle of Jack when I realized I’ve never had bourbon. To be honest, I have no idea what the difference is. A quick check of Wikipedia tells me that Jack is Tennessee whiskey, which differs from bourbon only in that it’s filtered through maple charcoal before barreling.

Well, you learn something new every day.

So I wanted to try this stuff and, for whatever reason, I decided on a bottle of Woodford Reserve. I have to say that I do like the bottle and the design. I really should know that you don’t, as they say, judge books by covers. Still, I do, and this bottle was pleasing in its classic simplicity and understatement—something which you just can’t find enough of these days. The presentation was nice, and to top it all off, it had a little informational tag telling one that it won all sorts of awards for taste.

It was slightly expensive at fifteen bucks for 375ml—but I figured that was a good size that if I liked it, it wouldn’t be gone in three days, but if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t feel like I wasted a lot of money.

To be perfectly blunt, I wasn’t sure I’d like it all that much. I have had straight up Jack—the closest thing, near as I could imagine—and while it’s good, it’s pretty harsh. Not the sort of thing I’d be taking shots of all the time. Fortunately bourbon—or at least the Woodford Reserve—is not like this. Lower quality stuff might be.

That’s not to say Woodford is without bite. It’s got some kick to it which, according to the distillery’s website, is from a higher amount of rye in the grain mix. Whatever it is, it’s damn good—and that’s basically my point. If you’re not the type to drink hard liquor, I don’t blame you. (And you may be thinking this entire ramble was a waste of your time…) But if you do drink this kind of thing, I really have to recommend Woodford. It’s good stuff.

I’ve had three shots since I started this article. I suppose that means I should end it—before that aforementioned fact starts to make itself obvious.

-Ted