Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 119.8

Woodford Batch Proof Neat // Glencairn Nose: Wow, banana cream pie! It even has a toasted crust and a little cinnamon on top. This aroma is fantastic. Also present are dusty oak, leather, and cherries. I kept smelling it, and the dusty oak got stronger, along with cracked black pepper. Palate: Banana taffy, Swedish fish, black pepper, and some star anise. It slightly numbs the front of my tongue and tingles the sides. I also get some milk chocolate. Finish: It lingers a long time. It doesn't give that warm, full-bodied feeling, which I miss. It's dry oak, chocolate, a little nutty, a hint of black pepper, and tobacco leaf. I enjoy this! The nose was particularly great, and the palate matched it. I would have preferred a stronger finish, but the lack of any burn lets the flavors come through clearly. 89/100

The aroma is strong and very typical of the distillery, with notes of cherry, vanilla ice cream, chocolate malt, cinnamon sugar, orange slice candy, and a sweet, mild oak. It's predominantly sweet, yet possesses enough richness and intricacy to remain appealing. Very little ethanol. The taste presents notable divergences from the scent. The cherry is prominent and dominant, accompanied by red apple skin, date, tobacco, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and pumpkin. The finish features abundant barrel char, smoke, maraschino cherry, fresh green oak, nutmeg, leather, chili pepper, and wood varnish. Exceptionally lengthy. The texture is moderately bodied and would benefit from more substance and smoothness, as it feels a tad abrasive. Overall, a pleasing release. At $119 (Costco), it offers a level of luxury justifying the cost, though it's not something I'd actively repurchase. Many comparable elements are available for less with Old Forester barrel strength. Nevertheless, I'd likely purchase other Woodford Batch Proof expressions at this price point for the sheer enjoyment.

I've recently become a big fan of Brown-Forman and was really looking forward to trying this bottle. The nose has a rich banana and Nilla wafer aroma, similar to the homemade banana pudding served at church potlucks. There's no ethanol smell, but it gives the sensation of burying your face in a bag of Nilla wafers and inhaling deeply. It has an unidentifiable deep richness that makes me hope for chocolate notes in the palate or finish. The palate is much brighter than anticipated, hitting with flavors like Laffy Taffy and Banana Runts. Brown sugar and vanilla custard (like a cheap pastry filling) coats the entire mouth. A hint of black pepper and cinnamon balances the sweet richness. The finish has a buttery, slick texture that leaves behind sweet vanilla and caramel notes with an oaky undertone. This definitely met my expectations! I highly recommend this bottle. 90/100.

Incredible! This spirit is outstanding. It has a very dark amber color, with a slight orange tint, and is viscous, leaving slow, syrupy legs on the glass. Flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla, oak spice, and a candied cherry sweetness linger on the finish. It drinks surprisingly easily for being 120 proof. It's very close to a perfect score of 5 for me.

Nose: cherries, chocolate cake, pastry, fruit Taste: It’s sweet, salty, and has a very rich mouthfeel. Melting chocolate, cinnamon, pie crust, and sour cherries. Experience: Tastes like eating cherry pie alongside a decadent hot chocolate. A truly excellent pour.

Opened recently. Tasting it neat. The aroma offers vanilla, caramel, and a hint of oaky spice. The palate mirrors the nose, presenting rich, sweet caramel with a dry, spicy finish. I also detect some fruitiness, like apple. I approve.