Woodford Reserve Bitters Sassafras & Sorghum 50ML

Woodford Reserve Bitters Sassafras & Sorghum 50ML is a hand-crafted cocktail bitters bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 50ml dauber-top bottle. Part of Woodford Reserve's specialty bitters line, this expression stands apart through its bourbon-barrel maturation and an advanced extraction process that draws out the natural essences of sassafras root and sorghum.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Cocktail Bitters  |  Brand: Woodford Reserve

Production & Heritage

Woodford Reserve, the iconic Kentucky bourbon distillery situated along Glenn's Creek in Versailles, has extended its expertise beyond whiskey with a line of artisanal cocktail bitters. The Sassafras & Sorghum expression is made from all-natural ingredients — including gentian root, sassafras, and sorghum — blended with alcohol and water, then matured in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels for approximately three months. That barrel aging imparts a layer of warmth and subtle caramel character that distinguishes these bitters from standard off-the-shelf options that skip wood contact entirely.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with earthy sassafras and sweet sorghum, followed by warm baking spice and faint bourbon undertones carried over from the barrel aging. There is a rooty, herbaceous quality from the gentian that anchors the aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, the earthy depth of sassafras arrives first, quickly joined by the natural sweetness and syrupy richness of sorghum. Mid-palate, baking spice flavors emerge — think cinnamon, clove, and allspice — giving the bitters a sweeter, richer profile than a traditional aromatic style. Bourbon barrel influence shows up as caramel and soft vanilla warmth.

Finish: The finish is medium-length with lingering warmth and a balanced interplay of earthy root and gentle sweetness. A trace of barrel spice stays on the tongue, adding complexity without bitterness overload.

How to Drink Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters

A few dashes are all it takes to reshape a cocktail. These bitters reward experimentation but shine brightest in drinks where their earthy-sweet character can interact with dark spirits.

• Old Fashioned: The sassafras and sorghum complement bourbon's caramel and oak backbone, adding a rooty depth that feels like a natural extension of the whiskey itself.
• Whiskey Sour: A couple of dashes introduce baking-spice complexity that plays well against citrus and simple syrup, rounding out the drink's acidity.
• Manhattan: The sorghum sweetness and barrel-aged warmth integrate seamlessly with sweet vermouth and rye, adding an earthy dimension that lifts the cocktail beyond the standard formula.

Best For

• Home bartenders building a serious bitters collection beyond the basics
• Gifting to a bourbon enthusiast who already owns the whiskey
• Adding depth to fall and winter cocktail menus
• Hosting a craft cocktail tasting alongside other Woodford Reserve bitters expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters taste like? The dominant profile is earthy sassafras root layered with the natural molasses-like sweetness of sorghum, accented by warm baking spices and subtle caramel from bourbon-barrel aging. It reads sweeter and richer than a standard aromatic bitters.

How does Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters compare to Angostura Aromatic Bitters? Angostura Aromatic Bitters relies on a broadly spiced, clove-forward formula designed as an all-purpose cocktail seasoning. Woodford Reserve Sassafras & Sorghum is more specialized, with pronounced earthy root character and sorghum sweetness derived from three months of bourbon-barrel maturation — giving it a warmer, less sharp profile.

Is Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters good for cocktails? Yes — it is designed specifically as a cocktail ingredient, and a few dashes add earthy depth and baking-spice warmth to bourbon-based drinks like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour.

Where is Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters made? It is produced in Kentucky, USA, under the Woodford Reserve brand, and matured in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels for approximately three months before bottling.

What foods pair well with Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters? As a cocktail ingredient rather than a standalone spirit, pairings apply to the finished drink: smoked meats benefit from the earthy sassafras notes; dark chocolate desserts echo the sorghum sweetness; aged cheeses like Gruyère complement the barrel warmth; pecan pie mirrors the caramel and baking-spice tones; and roasted root vegetables share the earthy character of the sassafras.

What sizes does Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters come in? The standard offering is a 50ml (approximately 2 oz) dauber-top bottle, which is the typical format for Woodford Reserve's cocktail bitters line.

Is Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters worth the price? It positions as a specialty cocktail bitters at a modest price point — the 50ml bottle delivers dozens of cocktails since only a few dashes are needed per drink, making it a high-value addition to any home or professional bar.

Why Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters?

What separates this expression from most cocktail bitters on the market is the three-month maturation in genuine Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels, which introduces barrel-derived warmth and caramel nuance you simply do not get from unaged bitters. The combination of sassafras root and sorghum is uncommon in the bitters category, offering an earthy-sweet flavor axis that fills a gap between standard aromatic and single-botanical options. For anyone mixing bourbon-forward cocktails, the Kentucky provenance and bourbon-barrel connection make it a logical — and flavorful — pairing that goes well beyond novelty.