Bourbon Battle: Woodford Reserve vs Maker's Mark
Bourbon is an iconic spirit whose popularity has seen a tremendous surge in the past decade. While there are many delicious bourbons to choose from, two of the most popular and iconic brands are Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark. So, how do these two beloved brands stack up against each other? Let’s explore the differences between these two world-renowned bourbons.
Woodford Reserve is made by Brown-Forman Corporation in Kentucky, USA. It has a deep amber color and its flavor profile contains notes of sweet caramel and spices, with a hint of mint. Its alcohol content is 45.2%. Woodford Reserve also offers its own barrel aging program, allowing customers to purchase their very own barrel of bourbon that they can customize to suit their preferences.
WOODFORD RESERVE:
Maker’s Mark is also made in Kentucky and is owned by Beam Suntory Inc. Maker's Mark has a reddish hue due to its unique recipe which includes red winter wheat instead of rye grain in its mash bill composition. It has notes of creamy caramel, oak and vanilla with a velvety texture on the tongue; it’s also lower in alcohol content than Woodford Reserve at 44%. Maker's Mark also offers its own barrel aging program where customers can pick up their own personalized bottle at the distillery after it’s been aged for six months or more!
Both Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark are excellent bourbons that have earned worldwide acclaim for their unique flavors and smooth finishes. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when deciding which one you prefer; both options offer distinct tasting notes so take time to explore your options! Whichever one you choose, you’ll be sure to enjoy every sip! Cheers!
A Trip Down Bourbon Lane
In America, there's no spirit more iconic than bourbon. From its humble beginnings to its current status as an American classic, the history of bourbon is a story of luck and perseverance—and a whole lot of whiskey. Let's take a look at how this classic spirit came to be.
The Birth of Bourbon
Bourbon first appeared in Kentucky in the late 1700s. It's unclear who exactly invented it, but many credit Elijah Craig—a Baptist minister who lived in what is now Woodford County—with creating the first batch of true "bourbon" whiskey. However, it wasn't until much later that bourbon really started to gain traction among consumers.
In 1820, distillers began shipping their wares down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers on flatboats to New Orleans. By 1865, bourbon was firmly established as one of America's most popular spirits. Around this time, two brothers from Louisville—James and Sam Beam—started making their own version of bourbon whiskey from corn and rye. This eventually became known as Jim Beam Bourbon, which is still produced today.
In 1964, Congress officially recognized bourbon as "America’s Native Spirit." This designation gave bourbon a unique status among other types of whiskey and helped fuel its popularity over the years. As demand for the spirit grew, so did production; by 2014, there were more than 1 million barrels aging in Kentucky alone!
Today, bourbon remains one of America's most beloved spirits. It has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Kentucky nearly 250 years ago—from being shipped down the rivers on flatboats to becoming a globally recognized icon (not to mention an essential ingredient in classic cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Manhattans). Whether you enjoy your bourbon neat or on the rocks, there's no denying that it has earned its place in history!
