Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 125.8

American whiskey tasting evening, Sydney, September 21, 2018. Whiskey #6 Nose: Intense woody notes like sawn planks, polished floors, antique furniture, burnt barrel staves, hazelnuts, and walnuts. Beneath this oak-forward profile, find scents of orange blossoms and zest, vanilla essence, raisins, caramel candies, bananas, tobacco, dried coconut, and cinnamon. Adding water reveals a subtle hint of mint and menthol, significantly broadening the aroma. Palate: The initial taste is huge and semi-sweet, akin to a mouthful of stewed prunes and apricots drenched in strong alcohol. This is balanced by a dryness from tannins, just enough to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming or monotonous. An intense, yet not unpleasant, alcohol burn is present. Sugary notes also feature – brown sugar, maple syrup, treacle, toffee, and fruit preserves. As it develops, the character becomes drier, with dark chocolate and dried figs emerging alongside warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The overall impression is of a dark Christmas pudding flambéed with bourbon. Finish: Extended. Astonishingly long. Sweet and leathery, the full spectrum of flavors from the palate gradually fades. A memory of this lingered literally for hours. For my 300th review, I had planned to feature a renowned scotch single malt. However, after sampling this exceptional Woodford Reserve at the whisky gathering last Friday, I decided it deserved the spotlight as one of the finest bourbons I've experienced. While I generally favor scotch over bourbon, keep in mind that this preference always colors my opinion. In this instance, something about this whiskey reminds me of a mature cask-strength Speysider. It's a quintessential bourbon, meaning it lacks unusual aromas or flavors, fancy finishes, or anything surprising. Its distinction lies in the depth and intensity of its character, with numerous layers revealed by the high proof and its superb balance. It is, simply put, an exceptionally well-crafted cask-strength whiskey. However, while its potent profile is enjoyable neat, I believe water is essential for a full appreciation of its complexities. The high alcohol content locks away the character as tightly as a treasure chest, making it interesting but also relentless and difficult to fully engage with when undiluted. Adding water makes for a much more pleasant and rewarding experience. Fortunately, this spirit responds wonderfully to dilution. Just a few drops of water lift the alcoholic veil, releasing more fruity aromas and fragrant oak. This effect continues with gradual water addition – I eventually reduced it to below 40% ABV, and it remained substantial, flavorful, and continued to evolve. Its duration and staying power are remarkable, but perhaps its most striking feature for me is its dynamic nature. The other spirits tasted that evening seemed diminutive, constrained, simple, and one-dimensional by comparison. They were static and subdued – inert and passive, whereas the Woodford Reserve appeared almost alive in the glass, breathing, constantly transforming and challenging the palate. A highly recommended whiskey, and even at its considerable price, I consider it good value. I was very pleased to have obtained a bottle. “Excellent”: 89/100 (4.75 stars)

Tasted neat. Opened 1.5 - 2 years ago (time flies). A pour for a special occasion. I remember finding this delightful previously but had not dedicated time for a thorough tasting. The bottle is now about two-thirds empty, so it's time to finish it in the coming weeks. Remarkably, the initial aroma is surprising. It presents as a sugar cookie, quite vibrant and sweet. As it airs, it evolves into more typical notes associated with the brand. Think caramel glaze. Abundant cherry. Some fine oak and leather notes are present. I appreciate the interplay of caramel and sugar cookie. Curiously, despite the age, a strong ethanol presence can still be detected if one inhales too deeply. A desire for more sugary cookie notes is met with an olfactory jolt. The texture is perfectly creamy, and the palate awakens with brown sugar, maple, and sweet oak. That first sip was truly exceptional. It transformed into creamy milk chocolate with a cherry cream core. Following that was the sugar cookie, concluding with a rich caramel. The legs gradually recede, returning to that sweet oak, lingering for a while. It's peculiar how this evolved into a combination reminiscent of Irish Whiskey and the brand's usual profile. The alcohol content enhances these traditional flavors. It makes me reconsider ever drinking the standard version again; this is significantly superior. Why not make this a permanent offering or at least release multiple batches of a similarly priced barrel proof expression annually? At a $70 price point, it would provide an interesting comparison to other barrel-proof spirits in that range. At $130, it remains difficult to recommend when I believe a $65 barrel proof expression is consistently better. It's an experience worth having to grasp the potential of the brand, but it also leads to considerable frustration. A fine pour while it lasts, but I won't feel overly sentimental when the bottle is depleted.

This brand has always been a reliable choice for me from the beginning. I've appreciated its emphasis on brown sugar and leather notes. This bourbon elevates that experience significantly. I largely concur with the tasting notes - the aroma did present ample caramel, vanilla, and oak, characteristic of the brand, along with a bit of heat. The taste is drier but features the signature peppery leather followed by a warm brown sugar finish. It offers a more complete flavor profile compared to the standard offering I know and appreciate. I'm considering this bottle a higher-proof version of a double-oaked expression, packed with fantastic flavor and an extra kick. It gets a high rating from me, and I would repurchase it (though it seems to be selling out quickly).

While I'm not the most ardent admirer of Woodford Reserve, this is a remarkable bourbon. It's bold, sweet, and nutty, yet well-balanced. The flavors develop across the palate leading into the finish, which imparts a lingering taste of strong cinnamon and subtle oak. This truly evokes the feeling of Christmas! It brings to mind the cinnamon-roasted nuts found during the holiday season. I even bought another bottle to set aside for December. I heard speculation that the Batch Proof release occurred solely because the tequila finish Master's Collection was canceled - I'm uncertain if this is accurate, but regardless, the barrels selected for this release by Chris Morris were exceptional and made a significant difference.

Drinking it neat. It's like Woodford Reserve amplified to the max, reminiscent of Spinal Tap's "up to 11." The aroma presents the familiar notes of Woodford: vanilla, caramelized sugar, oak, and a hint of spicy nuttiness. The mouthfeel is exceptionally viscous, like syrup. Initial flavors of dark cherries and toasted marshmallow give way to caramel, with lingering notes of vanilla and floral undertones. It concludes with a drying sensation, leaving the roof of my mouth feeling numb. Compared to my Woodford Reserve store pick, this Batch Proof variant is significantly thicker and leans more heavily into those darker flavor profiles. It's also less nutty on the palate. However, in many other aspects, it remains quite similar. Having an intensified take on a beloved standard is quite enjoyable.

Excellent spirit, though perhaps overlooked. A limited, first-run barrel proof bottling from a respected distillery. What's the issue? The price. Look beyond the high cost and recognize that cask strength is valuable because it's traditionally diluted to yield three times the volume. Naturally, it will be more expensive. The master distiller is among the last credible, old-school industry figures. This spirit will be highly desired in the future. It has a great flavor profile similar to another well-known barrel-proof bourbon, as both are not sourced and come from a consistent production process. Well done, Master Distiller.