Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup 16OZ

Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup 16OZ is a ready-to-use cocktail syrup designed to build a complete Old Fashioned with a single pour, packaged in a 16-ounce bottle at 0.5% ABV. Produced by Bourbon Barrel Foods in partnership with Woodford Reserve, this syrup combines demerara sugar, barrel-aged bitters, cherry, and orange aromatics into one streamlined ingredient — eliminating the need to muddle, measure, and dash separately.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.5%  |  Origin: United States  |  Style: Old Fashioned Cocktail Syrup  |  Producer: Bourbon Barrel Foods × Woodford Reserve

Production & Heritage

Bourbon Barrel Foods, a Louisville-based artisan producer known for barrel-aged condiments and culinary ingredients, developed this syrup in collaboration with Woodford Reserve, the historic Kentucky distillery founded in 1812 (originally known as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery). The base uses a 2-parts demerara sugar to 1-part water ratio — a notably richer concentration than the standard 1:1 simple syrup found in most bar wells. Into that base go natural cherry flavor, natural orange extract, and natural bitters flavor that has been barrel-aged, replicating the classic trio of bitters, citrus peel, and sugar that defines the Old Fashioned cocktail. The trace 0.5% ABV comes from the ethyl alcohol used as a carrier for the natural flavorings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright orange peel and maraschino cherry rise first, followed by warm spice notes from the barrel-aged bitters. A subtle caramel sweetness from the demerara sugar ties the aromatics together.

Taste: The initial impression is rich, molasses-tinged sweetness from the demerara base, distinctly deeper than white-sugar syrups. Mid-palate, the bitters spice and cherry notes emerge, rounded by citrus oil brightness. The overall sweetness is concentrated but not cloying, calibrated to stand up to high-proof bourbon.

Finish: Clean and moderately lingering with warm caramel and a subtle bitter edge. The orange and cherry notes fade gently, leaving behind a balanced sweetness.

How to Use Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup

The primary application is straightforward: combine roughly one ounce of syrup with two ounces of bourbon over ice, stir, and garnish with an orange peel and cherry for a complete Old Fashioned. No additional bitters, sugar cubes, or muddling required.

• Classic Old Fashioned: The syrup's intended use — pair it with Woodford Reserve Bourbon or any quality straight bourbon for a balanced, bar-ready cocktail in under a minute.
• Rum Old Fashioned: Swap bourbon for aged rum; the demerara sugar base shares a natural affinity with molasses-rich spirits.
• Whiskey Sour riff: Add fresh lemon juice to the syrup-and-bourbon combination for a citrus-forward variation that leverages the built-in bitters and cherry notes.

Best For

• Home bartenders who want a consistent Old Fashioned without stocking multiple ingredients
• Hosting cocktail parties where speed and consistency matter across many servings
• Gifting alongside a bottle of bourbon as a ready-made cocktail kit
• Tailgating, camping, or outdoor events where a full bar setup is impractical

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup taste like? It delivers warm demerara caramel sweetness layered with barrel-aged bitters spice, maraschino cherry, and orange peel — essentially the complete flavor profile of a well-made Old Fashioned minus the whiskey.

How does Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup compare to Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix? The Woodford Reserve syrup uses a demerara sugar base at a rich 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio and is specifically formulated in partnership with the Woodford Reserve distillery, while Strongwater uses a blend of bitters and syrups positioned as a more craft-cocktail-oriented mixer. The Woodford product leans into convenience as a single-bottle solution, whereas Strongwater offers more customizable bitters-forward complexity.

Is Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup good for beginners? It is ideal for anyone new to cocktail making because it removes the guesswork of balancing bitters, sugar, and citrus — just add bourbon and stir.

Where is Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup made? It is produced in the United States by Bourbon Barrel Foods, a Louisville, Kentucky–based company, in official partnership with the Woodford Reserve brand.

What foods pair well with an Old Fashioned made with this syrup? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs complement the caramel-and-bitters profile; dark chocolate truffles echo the demerara richness; sharp cheddar cheese contrasts the sweetness; candied pecans mirror the warm, nutty undertones; and charcuterie with dried fruit bridges the cherry and orange notes.

What sizes does the Old Fashioned Syrup come in? The standard offering is a 16-ounce (one pint) bottle, which yields approximately 16 cocktails at the typical one-ounce-per-drink serving.

Is Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup worth the price? It positions as a premium cocktail syrup within the ready-to-mix category, and when you factor in the cost of separately purchasing quality bitters, demerara sugar, and fresh citrus, the per-drink value is competitive — particularly for anyone who makes Old Fashioneds regularly.

Why Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Syrup?

What separates this from generic cocktail syrups is the demerara sugar base at a 2:1 concentration, which delivers noticeably deeper caramel character than standard simple syrup and holds its own against bold, high-rye bourbons. The partnership with Woodford Reserve means the flavor profile was engineered to complement that distillery's house style — fruit-forward with baking spice and vanilla — though the syrup works well with virtually any American whiskey. The all-in-one format genuinely simplifies the Old Fashioned without cutting corners on the core flavor architecture of bitters, citrus, and sweetener. For anyone who considers the Old Fashioned their go-to drink, this bottle earns permanent shelf space next to the bourbon.