Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Oat Grain Kentucky Bourbon

Tasted at a friend's place a few nights ago, alongside several other spirits. Nose - initially presented as chewing tobacco, seasoned wood (distinct from typical bourbon oak), leather, and baking spices. After some aeration, the tobacco faded, and the wood/spices became more prominent. A really unique nose, difficult to describe but I enjoyed it. Palate - Matched the nose's expectations, though it was drier than anticipated, lacking the sweetness most Woodford expressions typically exhibit. Some sweetness emerged just before the finish, but not as much as expected. The mouthfeel was somewhat thin. The medium finish was dry, but without excessive bitter tannins. I did not detect the 'oatmeal cookie' flavors mentioned in Woodford's marketing materials, which was a bit disappointing as that sounds delicious. Overall, I liked this quite a bit; it was very unique. It was a bit drier on the palate than I might prefer, but still enjoyable; and the unique flavor profile was a welcome change. At $110-130, I believe it is substantially overpriced. I would likely pay around $75 for it, given its uniqueness.

Aroma: Intense, rich sweetness, molasses, burnt sugar, black pepper, gingerbread, and warm wood. A pleasant dusty note evokes a hot Kentucky summer day in a rickhouse, hinting at good things to come. Taste: Initial tastes of maple syrup, vanilla, sugar cookies, and cinnamon rolls. It transitions to spicier notes, peppercorns, baking spices, with a touch of wintergreen. The finish is shorter than desired, but the minty tingle persists. Overall, it's very smooth and mellow, suggesting the influence of oat. Impression: This is an excellent bourbon, easy to drink and suitable for daily enjoyment. The aroma and taste are great, with a mild finish. However, the price is a drawback. A comparable bottle from Woodford Reserve, the Double Oaked Bourbon, costs nearly half as much and offers similar notes, though with added spice from rye that is replaced by oat here. It's a nice bottle to have for a collection.

90.4 proof. One of two Master's Collection bottlings released by Woodford Reserve this fall. This expression is the Oat Grain Bourbon, composed of 66% Corn, 18% Oat, 4% Rye, and 12% Malt. I acquired this bottle during my recent visit to Southwest Florida and decided to share my thoughts as a thunderstorm approaches. Aroma: Maple, brown sugar, vanilla, applesauce, fresh wood, lemongrass, cinnamon, and indeed - some oatmeal. Taste: Begins with creamy chocolate, followed by pears, apple, vanilla, and a slight astringency. Finish: Cocoa, mild astringency, tannic, lemon, and toasted wood. This surprised me. It possesses characteristics of a fruity Speyside Scotch or an Irish whiskey. I'm not particularly fond of it, but it is quite unique. It also appears to be well-balanced, with no single element being too dominant. I can understand why some might enjoy it and others might not. I fall into the latter category, though it's drinkable. I would not buy another bottle for myself. Cheers!

On the nose: flat cola and hints of citrus, in addition to the usual caramel and vanilla. On the palate: one of the smoothest starts, tastes of cola and caramel, and so smooth it goes down easily without any harshness. I understand why many reviews describe this as very easy to drink neat; I concur. When I added a little water, I detected the oat. As others have mentioned, this is a pricey bourbon. I would purchase it for the novelty and drinkability, but not solely for the drinkability. Regardless of the retail price, this is a very nice bourbon. Well done, Woodford team!

Another excellent release from Woodford, almost showing characteristics of cask-finished whiskies. Nose: Sweet honey, caramelized marmalade, and ginger. Taste: Sweetness upfront with a cola funk that transitions into burnt toast and roasted peanuts. Overall, a solid medium-bodied whiskey that finishes quickly, leaving the palate ready for more. A very intriguing style of whiskey. Keep enjoying your drinks, friends... Skol!

I brought this out of the cabinet after not having it for nearly a year. You can definitely discern the different grains on both the aroma and the taste. It becomes more noticeable when you add ice. It won't be among my top bourbons, but I appreciate the unique variation (I could say that about many of the Master’s Collection from Woodford, such as Cherry Wood, Chocolate Malted, etc.).