One-of-a-Kind, Limited-Edition Bourbon at Best Pricing
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma Triple Finish Series No. 19 Wine & Brandy Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon
“…a thought-provoking whiskey that tastes excellent and is the perfect combination of new flavors/feels without straying too far from a classic bourbon profile.”
— Andrew Whiteley, K&L Spirits Buyer

One of the most intriguing bourbon profiles we’ve seen recently comes from the visionary pioneers at Woodford Reserve. The 19th edition of their Master’s Reserve is a master class in blending skill, utilizing three different barrel profiles to create one of the most harmonious and artfully constructed wine cask-finished bourbons on the market. Adding to the appeal, our spirits team worked out a superb deal that brings it to you at the best available price.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma Triple Finish Series No. 19 Wine & Brandy Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon (700ml) (Elsewhere $195) ($134.99)

K&L Notes: In 2004, with the launch of Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection, Woodford stepped squarely into the era of ‘whiskey innovation.’ That first release was a four-grain whiskey. Some of the innovations, like four-grain mashbills, have become staples in the whiskey landscape, while others have turned out to truly be one-offs, but the one commonality with Woodford’s releases is they’re all incredibly well done. While most releases focus on the impact of one specific thing, like an unusual mashbill or a new type of barrel finish, the latest release, No. 19 in the series, combines multiple previous innovations into one cohesive blend. Blending is the true heart of the artistic side of whiskey making. It’s the human touch that cannot be easily outsourced to complex chemistry equipment and technical distlling specs. It is where the Master’s Collection—and Elizabeth McCall (the Master Distiller for Woodford)—shine brightest. The blending skills at Woodford differentiate these releases from many of the craft whiskey innovations we’ve seen over the last 20 years. This release perfects the marriage of red fruit with bourbon in a way that many have tried before, but it succeeds where others have muddled through. The formal regimen is a mouthful: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon that has been finished in Sonoma County Pinot Noir, brandy, and former bourbon barrels used to age red wine. Fortuantely, the whiskey itself is also a mouthful, in the best way possible.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: January 09, 2024

The latest Master’s Collection not only avoids the pitfalls of wine cask-finished whiskey, it excels where so many fail. While many can become overly tannic and wind up a disjointed array of fruit and whiskey notes thoughtlessly mushed together, here we have impeccable balance and harmony. The key, I believe, lies in the careful blending of similar but different wood/wine/whiskey profiles rather than hoping a single wine cask will just get lucky and work. The brandy barrels in particular provide a bridge between grape and grain that allows the Pinot barrels and the bourbon/wine cask to come together. Let’s taste. At first blush, I was nervous as a blast of red fruits came jumping out of the glass. With a few extra minutes to open up, the incredible spice, caramel, and vanilla that wrap around those red fruits caught up and provided the structure on which the tart Pinot Noir red fruits could really shine. With a proper undertone of classic bourbon notes, the elusive red cherry aromas really pop and feel like they come out of the bourbon itself, not the wine cask—a sign of harmonious integration. Freshly dried vanilla pod, warm caramel, and sweet ground cinnamon bark play peacefully with a little tropical pineapple and toasted coconut that really make this bourbon stand out in a good way from the others on my shelf. On the palate, it’s texturally dusty, feeling old and proper, but flavor-wise it is a fun mix of youthful and mature—lithe fruit bounces over deep oaky notes. Vanilla pudding and cigar box meet in the middle. The ABV, a seemingly low 45.2%, is actually perfect as it allows the wine tannins enough room to provide grip without overtaking the whole profile. The finish is lengthy due to that tannin, feeling more like a fine wine finish than a bourbon finish, but hinting at sweet corn. This unusual barrel regimen gets a 10/10 for execution in my book. The end result is a thought-provoking whiskey that tastes excellent and is the perfect combination of new flavors/feels without straying too far from a classic bourbon profile.

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