Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Madeira Cask Finish Whiskey
(700ml) -

About the Whisky:

Batch Proof is a celebration of Woodford Reserve’s proprietary process – blending barrels into a batch and then bottling the whiskey at its actual proof, straight from the barrel. Batch Proof is crafted using the same grain bill and process as Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 

The Fall 2024 Master’s Collection release, and the 20th edition of the series, Madeira Cask Finish features Woodford Reserve Whiskey that was finished in Madeira casks.

Technically, this is composed of three different whiskeys — bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey — each finished separately in Madeira casks, then blended with unfinished wheat whiskey before bottling.

90.4 Proof

Tasting Notes:
Color: Chestnut

Aroma: Dark cherries, brown sugar, and candied oranges sprinkled with clove and nutmeg

Taste: robust dried dark fruit notes of raisin and dried cranberries fade into walnut and baking spice

Finish: Long candied walnut

Awards/Reviews:

90 Points - VinePair

"After resting for a few minutes, the whiskey itself carries a lot of hallmark Woodford aromas: there’s a bready, brown sugar-meets-Hawaiian sweet rolls component that comes through in spades. The deep and dry aroma of toasting barrel staves permeates throughout. Both vanilla and walnut extracts follow, sweet-leaning notes that come through as just the tiniest bit medicinal. The oak element eventually extends beyond toasted wood and moves toward leather book binding and library stacks. After even longer in the glass, there’s yet another evolution, this time via Luxardo cherry, spicy red pepper jelly, and a wet herb medley.

The first sip brings a tiny taste of classic Woodford, but that’s quickly enveloped by unsweetened dried fruit: cranberries, figs, apricots, bananas, and tart cherries, all dehydrated and with no added sugar. It’s not that sweetness is lacking entirely, but the Madeira casks are certainly doing a lot of lifting here; classic bourbon caramel is thus moved to the background. This is hands-down one of the most fruit-forward Woodford expressions I’ve ever tried. Black walnut and very dark chocolate build toward the midpalate, with some surprisingly sweet residual cherry syrup adding complexity. Each taste brings on a new layer of dried fruit (blood orange) or spice/herb (sumac).

Even at just above 90 proof, this Master’s Collection carries a creamy mouthfeel that helps extend flavor on the finish even with the relatively dry palate. Chocolate covered cherries and coffee beans linger alongside leather-forward tannins."

"Eastern spices emerge from the glass, including coriander and even some saffron. There’s fruit in there, but it’s very dark, pruny, and well-oxidized — a lot like Madeira itself. The palate makes for the most exotic Woodford expression I’ve ever tried. The oxidized wine character slaps you upside the face, quickly merging with the underlying graininess to create a gamy, peppery quality that leans heavily on herbal notes — a lot like a big rye. With a pungent finish of green tobacco leaf, grassy rye grain, and sharp citrus peel elements, this is an intensely savory whiskey that arguably drinks more like a weird craft whiskey than anything made from a major distiller." - Drinkhacker