Woodford Reserve whiskey tasting at The Blind Pig

Situated above Jason Atherton’s Social Eating House, The Blind Pig is everything you’d expect from part of the Jason Atherton empire. Slick design, low lighting, and also more mysteriously an overwhelming smell of truffle. An aroma so potent that my photographer suggests they might simply have it in air fresheners.

Thankfully, past the entrance it seems to dissipate somewhat, which is a good thing given that an overwhelming scent of truffle is not very conducive to sniffing whiskey. The beverage on show this evening is Woodford Reserve Bourbon. A rich, fruity and spiced whiskey and, drunk straight, it is undoubtedly satisfying.

For the connoisseur’s interest, bourbon is usually made in column stills but Woodford Reserve is slightly unusual in that it is a combination of both column still bourbon and pot still bourbon, something the distillery would argue helps to give the whiskey a well-rounded flavour as it is not confined solely to the benefits that either distillation method can bring.

As a follow-up I try an old fashioned made with the Woodford Reserve. Given the complex nature of the bourbon, the drink it creates is slightly too busy, but the subsequent cocktail, which I’m told includes beetroot juice, actually works very well.

The Blind Pig is undoubtedly a stylish place to hang out, and with bar snacks provided by Atherton’s restaurant downstairs, it is a great place to spend an evening with some cocktails.

Jack Lury
Photos: Matthew Pull (except featured)

For further information about Woodford Reserve visit here.