I got this from a friend who was never going to open it and wanted room in his collection for things he was more interested in. Fair enough, I suppose - beats paying retail. The nose was not the most…encouraging introduction here. There’s a somewhat off-putting quality; I struggle to know exactly how to describe it, but I find it often in American single malts, especially underaged ones. Maybe it’s the calling card of youthful malt whiskey. Regardless, it’s there in all of its je ne sais quoi glory, and if you dig a little more there are very sweet cereal and praline notes. Palate is quite sweet - salted caramel, milk chocolate, candied pecan, peaches (especially at the finish), baking spices, even something a little biscuity. The peach note at the tail end of the palate really lingers. The mouthfeel is pleasantly rich and round, without too much boozy burn. Overall, I enjoyed this, but it’s probably not worth whatever obscene price tag it ostensibly commands. Woodford is out here doing some quality work, but half of the MSRP here is paying for the brand name and the perceived exclusivity of the “Master’s Collection” limited release. But, hey, if a friend’s willing to give it to you for basically a clearance price, it’s hard to complain.
Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Straight Malt
About this bottle
The Master Collection is Woodford Reserve's limited edition "experimental" series that often plays with different mashbills and/or cask finishes. In this case, they decided to take a cue from Scotland and produce a 100% malted barley. The Straight Malt in this series is aged in new charred oak barrels. So, to sum up, American Whiskey, made like Scotch, aged like bourbon.
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 10 parsed reviews.
New to tasting bourbons but I’ve enjoyed this one. It’s not too sweet and the burn isn’t too crazy. Drinking it neat.
bit if a bite. tough strong the edges. had to shoot it with water, it smoothed it out. bitter after taste no
Kinda tastes like banana bread. BANANAS but good and natural bananas
This is one of the best tasting Woodford Reserve whiskeys
Surprise find inAlpharetta, Ga. with Bubba Love
4 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.