Woodford Reserve ‘Double Oaked’ 45.2%
Apparently the first barrel is crafted from oak that has been seasoned out of doors for nine months is completely toasted and charred on the inside. The second barrel has been toasted for more than twice as long as the first fill barrel and is then very lightly charred.
Nose: Intense and pungent aromas of linseed oil coated, hard as nails rye with hints of manure. The oak is blasted into oblivion by the oils! With time it does begin to settle down and shows a touch of demerara sugar and sub rum like dried fruit along with a touch of sweetness from the oak. The spices however are a bit grubby.
Palate: Dry, hard, unyielding brittle honeycomb candy to start, followed by building old wood tannins. It becomes exceedingly raw and bitter with a light linseed oil note.
Finish: More linseed oil and decaying rose petal marc. Rather hot finish too.
Conclusion: An interestingly oily nose but the palate is downright dirty and bitter. Feels a bit old and decrepit.
Woodford Reserve ‘Master’s Collection Four Wood’47.2%
The Four Wood has been aged in American oak, before being finished in barrels made of maple wood, Sherry wood and Port wood.
Nose: Pungent and oily with a serious hit of linseed! Lurking is some sweetly oaked fruit and pepper but there’s no escaping that oil. Quite raw and leafy as well.
Palate: Opens with some light toffee and linseed oil (surprise!) Quite alcoholic with plenty of bitter tannins and rose petal marc.
Finish: Intense and alcoholic.
Conclusion Pretty rough and charmless, neat it is bitter and alcoholic, diluted insipid and awful!
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish 45.2%
Tasted: Oct 2014
Nose: Huge slabs of sweet but herbal rye with fat corn and earthy, edgy burnt toffee oak. No shrinking violet this! With time some citrus, coal dust and midnight violet appears along with a touch of ground coffee and balsamic, raisinated fruit.
Palate: The palate is lighter and less complex than the nose suggests with a dominating burnt toffee character. Hints of oily corn and oily, youthful spirit come through with some herbal rye. The middle is a little austere.
Finish: Long and very spicy with the youthful, marc-like spirit lingering. Where has he oak disappeared to?
Conclusion: I was expecting a lot more for the palate given that very complex nose.
Woodford Reserve Masters Collection 1838 Style White Corn 45.2%
10th release, distilled using white corn instead of traditional yellow corn which allegedly complements the additional grains in the whiskey and allows for a sharper whiskey that’s lighter in body with a softer, sweeter, fruit-forward profile.
Tasted: Mar 2016
Nose: Generous marzipan oak to start, followed by mature, oxidised pruney, sub-Armagnac-esque dark fruits and hints of treacle. Very layered with crisp rye running through giving balance. Hints of muscavado sugar, sweet orange, feather-like corn and earth.
Palate: Ultra soft liquid orange and raisinated fruit liberally coated in treacle. Again crisp rye notes add balance and stops it becoming too sweet. Hints of dark coffee, chocolate, spice and slightly bitter oak appear.
Finish: Great finish! True it’s a little austere with bitter chocolate and a surprising hint of rose petal marc but the soft corn takes the edge off.
Conclusion: Copious eulogising is definitely deserved but to be brief. Wow!
Whisky According to Chris Whiskyman 