My review is based on a two ounce sample that I was able to get my hands on, and sadly, I'm not sure that I'll ever own a bottle. It doesn't appear that Woodford has produced the four wood in quite a while, and the few bottles I found for sale were well north of $400. While I can't justify it at that price, I would have had no hesitation paying the original list of about $90. First off, I tend not to spend enough time looking at whiskeys (the importance of which I'm reminded every time I read a review by @LeeEvolved). In this case, it was impossible not to admire it visually - the whiskey is an absolutely gorgeous deep amber. The nose has a good mix of fruit and caramel, as well as a very nice dark chocolate nose. The palate is where it gets really interesting. There's just the right amount of heat and dry spice, which at times tastes like cinnamon and at other times has a taste that I can only describe as wine marinated radish (which may sound awful, but it's actually great). Vanilla and caramel are also present, as well as the dark chocolate, which is quite prominent. The finish lingers with a dusty spice. I've generally liked Woodford's core offerings, although I've never been wowed. But in this case, even if I'm never able to obtain a bottle of the four wood, I've been inspired to start exploring Woodford more seriously, particularly the specialty offerings.
Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Wood Bourbon
About this bottle
This bourbon was initially matured in American oak and then finished in barrels made from maple wood, sherry wood and port wood. Part of Woodford’s Master Collection, this Four Wood Selection bourbon is highly limited. According to Master Distiller Chris Morris, “The batching ratios of the three finishing barrels were painstakingly chosen so that no one character dominated the final product.”
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 16 parsed reviews.
First real go at a bourbon, and what a start it is. Beautiful, complex nose of vanilla, citrus and smoke. Pallet of tobacco and tanned leather, opening to fruit orchards and citrus. It transports your mind to the South, sitting on the front porch in the evening sun.
Despite the hype, this was a disappointing miss for me. The sherry oxidized aromas and flavors detracted from the overall profile IMO. Although I Know plenty of other folks loved this, I did not think it was nearly worth the price you pay for the novelty.
Good sipping bourbon, the Woodford Reserve taste (white Corn whisky) is very pronounced, one of the sweeter, more aromatic bourbons I've had.
My favorite of the master distiller collection. Lots of caramel and barrel complexities. I wish I had bought more bottles of this.
Delicious Caramell flavor, with a slight mellow charred oaky flavor. Smoot on the pallet , mild burn going down.
10 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
