Woodford Reserve Masters Coll Historic

Overview
Woodford Reserve Master's Collection: Historic Firewood Finished belongs to the distillery's experimental Master's Collection series, where master distiller Elizabeth McCall explores unconventional maturation techniques using oak sourced from Kentucky's historic sites. This release highlights the brand's commitment to innovation within traditional bourbon craftsmanship.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
The Master's Collection series allows Woodford Reserve to push boundaries beyond their core lineup, with each release focusing on unique wood influences. For Historic Firewood Finished, the team sourced reclaimed oak from dismantled historic structures across Kentucky, milled it into staves, and coopered new charred barrels to impart distinct flavors tied to the state's heritage.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Subtle smoke from historic oak mingles with classic Woodford notes of dried fruit, vanilla, and a whisper of charred wood.
• Palate: Bold caramel and toffee lead, layered with rye spice, toasted nuts, and earthy undertones from the unique firewood staves; medium body with balanced sweetness.
• Finish: Lingering warmth of oak char and subtle smokiness, drying to a clean, spicy close.

Notable details

• Production: Double distilled in copper pot and column stills; finished in new charred oak barrels crafted from historic Kentucky firewood staves; non-chill filtered.
• Lineage: Part of Woodford Reserve's Master's Collection, following releases like Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir and Batch Proof.
• Comparison: Shares the wheated softness of similar experimental bourbons like Maker's Mark Cellar Aged but stands out with its heritage oak profile.
• Availability: Limited annual release, highly allocated and sought after by collectors.

Closing
A thoughtful evolution of Woodford Reserve's bourbon legacy, ideal for enthusiasts seeking history-infused complexity.