Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 124.7

The aroma is very characteristic of its origin, with a strong mix of Maraschino cherry, wood polish, root beer flavoring, caramel custard, leather, and a wood scent that I always find more akin to mahogany than oak. There's a bit of alcohol vapor, but at nearly 125 proof, it's acceptable. The taste is rich and deep, closely matching the aroma but with added notes of vanilla, allspice, citrus, cocoa powder, toffee, and tobacco. The flavors tend to reside at the back of the throat, contributing a slight harshness that feels unnecessary. The finish is pleasant and extended, delightfully transforming into rum-soaked fruitcake, cola, orange peel, cinnamon, leather, and pink peppercorn. The mouthfeel is full-bodied. A slight tingle on the tongue, combined with the proof, becomes a bit tiring after repeated sips. I find these releases to be quite good, and this one is very similar to the last I sampled. Are they superior to, for instance, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, despite costing nearly double? I'd say no, but they are high quality. I paid $155 for this, and while I don't regret the purchase, it's a bit too expensive. Will I still buy the next release? Likely.

Minimal legs, but it does coat the glass, leaving many slow drips. The aroma is rich with fruit, specifically cherries and prunes, alongside a hint of apple. There's very little sweetness or spice, and no oak detected. The taste remains fruity, almost tart (in a really good way), with more prune than cherry. Pepper is prominent right from the start, accompanied by deep, dark bitter chocolate. The pepper lingers on the tip of my tongue, and as it eventually fades, the chocolate takes over, yet the tart fruit never disappears. Pepper reappears on the sides of my tongue towards the end, leaving only a faint fruitiness behind. While the flavors aren't overwhelming, the intensity and staying power of this spirit are remarkable.

NEAT AROMA - Rich Brown Sugar, Caramel, Sweet Oak, and a slight hint of Maple PALATE - Sweet/Dark Oak, much more oak than the aroma suggested. The brown sugar is rich and chewy on the palate, and the caramel is bold. FINISH - Much smoother than the proof would suggest. The finish brings everything together with oak at the forefront. BUY? - Yes BUY AGAIN?? - Maybe not this specific release, but this is my first Woodford Reserve Batch proof, and I will likely purchase others if possible.

Aroma: cherry, uncooked dough Body: moderate Taste: initially perceived as one-dimensional, featuring cookie dough and cherry Finish: quite long with a notable warmth. The finish is sweet, with a touch of charred barrel. It's good. Later on, hints of caramel emerge. Note: Improved during this tasting compared to my first experience. Some air exposure helped it develop. Overall, cherry, dough, and sweetness. It's decent.

This is delicious. It drinks easier than its proof suggests. I anticipated more flavor and impact. Don't get me wrong, it's excellent, but it lacks the complexity for a higher rating. The flavor is present. It's well-rounded, but just short of being outstanding. Compared to my recent tasting of Booker's Kentucky Tea, it's not as good, but it's close.

You can smell the deep chocolate, caramel, and cherry hints. With the traditional tasty oak finish of Woodford. Incredibly smooth for 124 proof and a fantastic sipper. Leaves a pleasant warmth going down. One of my favorite bottles!