The Story
Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition — the pinnacle of the Woodford Reserve lineup: a Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in XO Cognac barrels sourced by Master Distiller Chris Morris, each barrel having matured three seasons of cognac before receiving Woodford Reserve, and presented in a hand-crafted Baccarat crystal decanter that is itself a collectible of the highest order.
Baccarat crystal has been produced in the Lorraine region of France since 1764 — the same era that bourbon was beginning its development in Kentucky. The Baccarat Edition brings these two traditions of French and American craftsmanship together in a single expression. The XO Cognac casks — Hors d'Age barrels that have aged the finest grade of cognac for at minimum six years — carry decades of French oak influence, dried grape character, and the complex esters of long-aged brandy into the finishing phase. Woodford's triple pot still bourbon, already among the most fruit-forward American whiskeys, emerges from these barrels with an additional layer of French oak complexity, confectionary richness, and creamy fruit character unavailable anywhere else in the lineup.
The decanter itself is a Baccarat original — hand-crafted, individually numbered, and sealed with a crystal stopper. The Baccarat Edition is the most expensive and prestigious expression Woodford Reserve produces, intended as a collector's acquisition as much as a whiskey.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Crisp American and French oak intertwined with complex fruit character, subtle spice, and a creamy confectionary sweetness from the XO cognac cask finishing
- Palate: A balance of American bourbon structure and French oak refinement — caramel, vanilla, and baking spice from the Woodford base meeting dried fruit, gentle grape, and cognac richness from the XO casks
- Finish: Long and creamy with a confectionary close; the French oak and cognac character lingers distinctly after the sip
Specs
- Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, XO Cognac Cask Finish
- Finish: XO Cognac barrels (three seasons of cognac prior to bourbon finishing)
- Decanter: Hand-crafted Baccarat crystal, individually numbered
- Distillation: Triple copper pot still
- ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
Browse the full Woodford Reserve collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are XO Cognac casks? XO (Extra Old or Hors d'Age) is the finest designation for cognac, requiring minimum 6 years of aging. XO cognac barrels carry years of French oak influence, concentrated dried fruit esters, and the complex character of long-aged brandy into the whiskey finishing process.
- Is the Baccarat decanter a genuine Baccarat piece? Yes — the decanter is an original Baccarat crystal creation, hand-crafted in Lorraine, France, individually numbered, and sealed with a crystal stopper. It is both a whiskey vessel and a standalone collectible.
- Is this the most premium Woodford Reserve expression? Yes — the Baccarat Edition is the pinnacle of the Woodford lineup in terms of cask quality, packaging, and price. It is intended as a collector's acquisition as much as a whiskey for drinking.
Description
Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition — the pinnacle of the Woodford Reserve lineup: a Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in XO Cognac barrels sourced by Master Distiller Chris Morris, each barrel having matured three seasons of cognac before receiving Woodford Reserve, and presented in a hand-crafted Baccarat crystal decanter that is itself a collectible of the highest order.
Baccarat crystal has been produced in the Lorraine region of France since 1764 — the same era that bourbon was beginning its development in Kentucky. The Baccarat Edition brings these two traditions of French and American craftsmanship together in a single expression. The XO Cognac casks — Hors d'Age barrels that have aged the finest grade of cognac for at minimum six years — carry decades of French oak influence, dried grape character, and the complex esters of long-aged brandy into the finishing phase. Woodford's triple pot still bourbon, already among the most fruit-forward American whiskeys, emerges from these barrels with an additional layer of French oak complexity, confectionary richness, and creamy fruit character unavailable anywhere else in the lineup.
The decanter itself is a Baccarat original — hand-crafted, individually numbered, and sealed with a crystal stopper. The Baccarat Edition is the most expensive and prestigious expression Woodford Reserve produces, intended as a collector's acquisition as much as a whiskey.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Crisp American and French oak intertwined with complex fruit character, subtle spice, and a creamy confectionary sweetness from the XO cognac cask finishing
- Palate: A balance of American bourbon structure and French oak refinement — caramel, vanilla, and baking spice from the Woodford base meeting dried fruit, gentle grape, and cognac richness from the XO casks
- Finish: Long and creamy with a confectionary close; the French oak and cognac character lingers distinctly after the sip
Specs
- Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, Kentucky
- Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, XO Cognac Cask Finish
- Finish: XO Cognac barrels (three seasons of cognac prior to bourbon finishing)
- Decanter: Hand-crafted Baccarat crystal, individually numbered
- Distillation: Triple copper pot still
- ABV: 45.2% (90.4 Proof)
Browse the full Woodford Reserve collection at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are XO Cognac casks? XO (Extra Old or Hors d'Age) is the finest designation for cognac, requiring minimum 6 years of aging. XO cognac barrels carry years of French oak influence, concentrated dried fruit esters, and the complex character of long-aged brandy into the whiskey finishing process.
- Is the Baccarat decanter a genuine Baccarat piece? Yes — the decanter is an original Baccarat crystal creation, hand-crafted in Lorraine, France, individually numbered, and sealed with a crystal stopper. It is both a whiskey vessel and a standalone collectible.
- Is this the most premium Woodford Reserve expression? Yes — the Baccarat Edition is the pinnacle of the Woodford lineup in terms of cask quality, packaging, and price. It is intended as a collector's acquisition as much as a whiskey for drinking.
