Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Brandy Cask Finish

Nose: Intense dark fruit caramel, rich toffee, dried blueberries/cranberries, vanilla, subtle notes of sweet, spicy oak. Taste: A pleasant sweet and spicy tingle, dark toffee, dark chocolate, hints of raisins, dried blueberries, a touch of candied orange, vanilla, a faint hint of almond/hazelnut skin bitterness, and fruity dark roast coffee. Finish: A light, lingering fruity spice, mild nutty bitterness, dark chocolate-covered coffee toffee, and caramel. Score: 91/100 Final Thoughts: I am quite fond of this one. It features many of the flavors I appreciate in a bourbon. The brandy cask is evident in the added fruity notes and complements the spirit well. The nose is particularly good, offering a fine balance of dark chocolate, sweet nuts, and dried fruits that harmonize beautifully, reminiscent of a rich dark chocolate toffee bark. The palate mirrors the nose, with the subtle bitterness adding a pleasant counterpoint. I believe it's best enjoyed neat, as water, ice, or bitters might diminish the subtle brandy influence. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes

Nose: Tart preserved fruit (cherries & gooseberries), summer berries, paste/putty. Palate: Sugared crust, summer berries, strawberries and cream, faint vanilla, wood. Finish: Moderate length. Sweet, berry fruit, wood. A touch of tartness lingers, then becomes dry and tannic at the conclusion. 85% Corn 18% Rye 10% Barley Very mild, with no burn and minimal spice. Consistent summer fruit, berries and cream. It is a welcome shift to have fruit/berry sweetness instead of the usual caramel and vanilla. Gentle and fruity, but somewhat weak. Ranked tied for last among the six pours, receiving zero votes for favorite of the evening. 85% of attendees indicated they enjoyed the whiskey.

The aroma resembles fermented raisins. I recognize this as a brandy characteristic but was surprised by its intensity until I noted the two-year brandy cask finish. I also detect some baking spice notes. On the palate, it feels exceptionally smooth, offering a wonderful sensation. However, before I can savor it for long, the spices arrive quickly and intensely, accompanied by significant wood notes. It concludes with spice and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is medium to long. The brandy influence is present but not as pronounced as in the aroma. It's not as complex as I had hoped, but still a good pour. Tasted on August 17, 2017.

This is one of the rare spirits I've encountered that carries a distinct melon flavor. Beneath that, it's still recognizable as a bourbon, but after lingering on the palate, you can detect notes of sour grapes, a touch of eucalyptus, and finally, a clear burst of cantaloupe or honeydew at the conclusion. The overall liquid isn't entirely smooth, but its slight harshness on the way down effectively balances the abundance of fresh fruit notes.

Initially neat, then with ice added. The aroma features berry jam, possibly raspberry, alongside freshly scraped vanilla bean. The taste brings to mind scotch heritage with a mild peat upfront, then reveals more complexity: macerated cherries, a subtle grassy note, and a nuttiness like walnut and pecan, or perhaps both. Peat remains in the finish, and adding ice enhances the cherry flavor with each sip.

Aroma of rich oak and vanilla with sweet chocolate. The palate is very sweet and full-bodied. Abundant vanilla with a dense mouthfeel. The moderate finish has hints of char and oak. Little spice or burn. It's almost too smooth; I drank nearly a third of the bottle without realizing! If you appreciate sweetness, you'll adore this. Price at Colonial in Little Rock was $105.