Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley

Aroma: Cherry cola, vanilla bean, pine resin, caramel, brown sugar, oak chips, a subtle hint of burning leaves. Taste: Oatmeal cookies, weak malt extract, buttered popcorn, and smoked dried cherries upon first taste. The progression reveals more of the same, enhanced by cocoa and leather notes, and a lasting, mild yet faintly resinous background smoke. Ginger, chicory, and rye spice with an unusual quality. The texture is good, rich, and satisfying. Finish: Medium. Chocolate malted milk, slightly smoky and drying. A unique whisky – interesting to sample but I wouldn't purchase a bottle. It appeared unsure of its own identity. It possesses five distinct aspects: corn, barley-malt, cherries, oak, and smoke. While the combination of these components naturally creates complexity, complexity does not equate to balance or harmony. Actually, I found it rather disorganized, like a room full of indistinct voices, none loud but confusing together as each tried to talk over the others. The sweet sherry note was appealing, the dry character (from the high malt content) balanced the sweetness well, and the cask influence was fine. However, each element seemed to belong in a different composition. I'm also not a big fan of wood smoke as a drying method. It's acceptable, of course – I simply dislike the taste. Peat smoke has a gentler quality not found in wood smoke, and I have yet to find a wood-smoked whisky that I enjoyed. This is also rather expensive and, ultimately, just slightly better than average for me. Tasted at the Sydney Whisky Show on May 15, 2021, my tasting #14 “Above Average”: 82/100 (3.25 stars)

This spirit embodies a contradiction. On one side, the essence of America is captured in a cherry pie flavor profile, presented by this exceptionally unique bourbon from Woodford Reserve. Notes of cinnamon, vanilla, pie crust, and warm, syrupy crimson cherries are present. It's a delightful, indulgent aroma for enjoying on a porch or deck during a stifling July evening as the air finally breaks. On the other side, its taste doesn't align with a spirit crafted in America. Perhaps it leans more Irish? With a mash bill featuring 30% malted barley and pot still distillation, it delivers a malty, biscuity, and even subtly smoky character. If bourbon represents the American spirit, this drink carries a distinct foreign accent. Yet, no other bourbon replicates a cherry pie taste so accurately. This bottle has been open for about two years, with just over half remaining. It's a memorable spirit because nothing else I've tried tastes quite like it, and it's a fine choice when I'm in the right mood. However, I wish it leaned even more into the cherry pie, was a touch sweeter like a bourbon, with more pronounced pie crust notes, instead of the dry cereal and wood characteristics found in more European whiskies. This is the kind of spirit I appreciate more after a break, but once I've had a serving, I'm content and move on to something else. Score: * (unforgettably good) Cost: In 2017, this limited edition retailed for $100-110. It is no longer widely available. Perceived value: $100

I've ranked 33 bottles from my collection through multiple blind tastings. Here's the countdown! #16: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley. Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 45.2% ABV. NAS. Paid $104 It offers a rather unique experience, but I wouldn't pay around $100 to revisit it. Cherry wood smoked barley is an accurate description for this distinctive bourbon. Cherry and wood are dominant on the nose, along with cherry cola, artificial sweetener, and some blackberries. The wood character is dank, musty, and decaying. It's not immediately identifiable as a bourbon. On the palate, it's halfway between Redbreast and a bourbon. Notes of biscuits, brown sugar, malt, and, of course, cherry are present. Smokiness appears in the finish. This mash bill includes 30% malted barley dried over cherry wood smoke, creating a truly distinctive dram that might leave you questioning if it's a bourbon, Irish, or Scotch in a blind tasting. It's initially very intriguing, but once you adjust, the overpowering cherry and wood notes prevent you from reaching for the bottle repeatedly. It falls into that awkward price range where it's too expensive for casual drinking but not refined enough for a special occasion. A 375mL bottle at half the price would have been ideal. MARK: 88/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #17: Highland Park. $90. 43%. 15 years. 88/100 #18: Glendronach. $59 (1L). 43%. 12 years. 87/100 #19: Ledaig. $60. 46.3%. 10 years. 87/100 #20: Longmorn. $94. 48%. 16 years. 87/100

In comparison to Amrut Portonova (an unusual comparison, I realize), this tastes watered down. It's dry and has a strong cherry presence. It is very different from the Woodford Reserve Double Oak, as it is somewhat mild, very fruity, and mineral-driven. There's a bit of richness that provides balance, but it's not exceptionally full. It doesn't have the typical young flavor, which is a positive. There's some rye tartness present, but also some malt sweetness. A touch of caramel and a hint of smoke really help to harmonize it. It's quite drinkable, although it wouldn't be a top choice for me. The oak is noticeable but not overpowering. It tastes lightly aged without acquiring any negative wood characteristics. The fruity sweetness is smooth and invigorating. There are notes of vanilla and cherry cola, but they are all handled with subtlety. A slight alcoholic bite is present, but it's surprisingly mild given the delicate nature of this spirit. Yes, it's good. The well-executed flavors are pleasing, but it's simply not my preferred style of drink.

The aroma is almost overwhelmingly banana bread, which carries onto the taste. I detect no cherry notes, either in smell or flavor, despite the cherry wood used for smoking the barley. The significant barley content is evident, giving it a flavor similar to a scotch/bourbon blend. However, the smoke I anticipated is barely perceptible; it's very subtle. This bourbon is quite distinctive due to its high barley mash bill. It's not bad, but I had higher expectations for the price.

To my surprise, I detect banana bread on the nose, not just a hint but a strong and obvious presence, along with some sap. On the palate, there are clear creamy malt notes. It starts sweet, a bit one-dimensional. The malt quickly follows, with some earthy notes, a hint of nuts, and some dark fruit. Strong dark chocolate is present, which I often find in Woodford offerings. The banana bread reappears in the aftertaste. Interestingly, I'm searching for the smoke flavor and not finding much of it, but it stands well on its own without it. It's certainly intriguing and worth trying. 11/9/17