Woodford Reserve Master's Collection 1838 Style White Corn Bourbon

Evaluation - neat in a 2 oz. Glencairn glass. Scent - somewhat muted after the ethanol dissipates. I then detect a masa-like, stoneground corn aroma (imagine unsalted tortilla chips), dry peanut shells, barrel char, and dark licorice. It's not a typical bourbon aroma. Taste - the flavor begins floral, perhaps bordering on honeysuckle? The taste also presents hot buttered sweetcorn and a hint of the dry peanut shells. There's also some smokiness present. It evokes images of roasted corn on a charcoal grill. The texture is richer than the actual flavor. Aftertaste - stone ground corn, creamy butter, floral notes akin to sweet pea. Summary: Delightfully unconventional. Its drawback is that the flavors aren't as bold as I'd prefer. They don't immediately stand out, requiring some exploration. This is a reserved expression. Its strength lies in the white corn, which, while eliminating caramel and butterscotch sweetness, imparted tasty floral and dusty notes that encouraged deeper tasting. Significantly different from the standard Woodford or the sweeter, chewier, charred Double Oaked. It serves as an excellent example of how varied corn in the mash bill can influence flavor. This will appeal to scotch enthusiasts who dislike overly sweet bourbon notes and appreciate more floral characteristics.

The aroma presents sweet vanilla, dusty corn, and corn. After getting past the dusty corn, notes of white and green fruit emerge with caramel sweetness. The final sip reveals caramel, butter, corn, and a whisper of chocolate. Initially, it didn't appear overly intricate, but my appreciation grows with each pour. While not justifying a $130 price tag, it's certainly worth $60. This marks my initial experience with the Master Collection, and it stands as my preferred Woodford offering to date.

The nose is bright with notes of honey, lemon, and white pepper. The palate is similarly sweet, with corn as the primary taste (not surprising, I know). The finish increases the spice and also introduces more recognizable Woodford Reserve characteristics like caramel and oak. Overall, it's an unusual whiskey, but it doesn't strike me as exceptional.

Scent: slightly sharp for Woodford. Taste: a bit sweeter and smoother than usual Woodford, but only slightly. Lingering barley notes. No burn whatsoever. I enjoy it quite a bit. Is it worth $100? I'm uncertain about this one yet. It's the first bourbon I'm not sure about.

A reliable, old-fashioned bourbon from a major producer. A distinct sweet corn flavor enhances the oak and vanilla notes on the palate. I'd suggest enjoying this one neat, as adding water or ice might dilute its open character.

Scent deceives with apparent notes of butter cookies, baking spices, and herbs. Incredibly bland and sweet taste with no discernible finish. I do not endorse this whiskey. Another significant misstep from Woodford's Master's Collection series.