Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 123.2

Nose: Banana, sandalwood, cherry, subtle hints of mint and caramel, Nutella, and a wonderful rich brown sugar. Taste: Hits hard, felt a slight burn. Pecan. Cola. Banana bread. After it opens up, you can detect substantial flavors of vanilla and baking spice. Finish: SPICY. You get a strong Kentucky Hug, but some of the fruity notes from the nose emerge... the cherry and banana linger. Overall: I'm typically not a big fan of very high proofs. I usually prefer the 100-110 range. That said, this is a very nice high-proof bourbon that is as visually appealing as it is intense. Some incredibly deep flavors. And it's remarkably consistent from start to finish. Makes me curious about a Bottled-in-Bond Woodford. Value: A friend gave this to me. I've spent over $130 on a bottle before, and I completely understand why high-proof enthusiasts would adore this. It's not my personal preference, though. I'd rather spend half the price on an EH Taylor or a 1920 OF. But if high proofs are your preference, then I think you'd really enjoy this. Glad I tried it, but not a purchase for me.

In my view, significantly better than its lower-proof counterparts. A great illustration of how much proof matters. Nose: vanilla, maraschino cherry, oak, roasted peanuts. Navel orange in the distance. The proof is very apparent. Taste: oak, caramel, vanilla, tannin, barrel bite. Classic bourbon, but amplified. Peanuts on the finish. Alcohol burn. Oil and alcohol linger on the palate. Unroasted peanut on the finish. Almost some coffee and almond characteristics very late in the finish. Adding a few drops of water brings out some brightness in the nose. Citrus comes through more prominently. The palate becomes fruity - almost like grape, banana, with brown sugar accompanying them. It slightly reduces the burn. The coffee note is now joined by dark chocolate. Really enjoyable. Fun to experiment with water. Classic bourbon with some hidden tastes if you want to explore. Just as good if you don't.

Blind bourbon tasting. Smells like pecan pie, apricot, apple, orange peel, marshmallow, and toasted brown sugar. The elevated proof is noticeable on the nose and carries to the palate, but it doesn't overwhelm. The palate echoes the nose. There's a pleasant harmony between the caramel, fruit, and wood. Truly quite good. I have no guess for this, but it's one of my favorites from this series so far. Second tasting: I kept half the sample and am comparing it side-by-side with Old Forester. This one is easier to drink, the proof is lower, and the flavors are less intense. The wood is nicely balanced with the other flavors. I think I'm reconsidering after tasting them next to each other. I've gone back and forth, but ultimately I'm giving a slight edge to the OF. Big thanks to a friend for the sample! So many great bourbons you've given me to try.

I took this out tonight since it was easily accessible in my cabinet. It's hard to believe I've owned it for almost 3 years. This was bought from a major retailer before they became so scarce, at the suggested retail price. Nose - Vanilla and caramel with a considerable amount of alcohol. I'd rate it a 3 - average. Palate - Vanilla and cherries, some barrel oak and tannins but not excessively so, very little caramel here. For me, the cherry really stands out. If you enjoy vanilla and cherry notes, this is for you. Finish - The higher proof results in a decently long finish with oak and vanilla taking the lead. Overall, a solid drink, especially at the suggested retail price, which is likely hard to find in this market. I give it a 3.75.

Color: Deep amber. Aroma: Roasted oak and nuttiness with undertones of vanilla and caramel. Taste: The batch proof is immediately apparent upon tasting. The charred oak carries through to the palate, accompanied by notes of cinnamon and peppery spice. Finish: A pleasant warmth of cinnamon and toasted nuttiness lingers at the end. Not overly sweet, but not too intense for its proof. Can be enjoyed straight. Adding a little water reveals sweeter notes of honey and vanilla ice cream. A subtle sweetness transfers to the palate, but the cinnamon spice remains dominant. The extended finish becomes more intricate with the addition of water.

Received a sample from a friend as part of the "whiskey transfer program". Nose: Quite a bit of ethanol punch, heavy vanilla, apple, and raisin. Some background oak and mint. Flavor: Very sweet but a lot of barrel bitterness upfront which I found a little off-putting. Otherwise, vanilla and brown sugar, and nothing else seemed to come through the bitter notes. Finish: Heavy leather and tobacco with rye spice. A ton of barrel bitterness that overwhelms everything else. I don't believe Woodford made a good decision by making this such a high proof, as some harsh flavors are coming to the forefront. Somewhat disappointing.