Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley

Was not impressed.

Blind tasting, I definitely identified Woodford’s smooth flavor. Little funk at the end makes for a quandary on flavor. Need to taste again in a different blind lineup. Overall, good, but a little disappointed when I was aware of the cost. Not sure it is worthy of the price.

Whiskey advocate - 89

Jerrys

With a cost at approximately $100 USD here in New Hampshire, you would be better off with Woodford Reserve's Double Oaked or a bottle of Blanton's Original Single Barrel for approximately half of the cost. With that said, this is by no means a terrible bourbon. It's easy to drink neat with no chaser. The smoke flavor is noticeable, but not overpowering. There is just very little that stands out and even less to celebrate with this mediocre spirit for the cost.

33 open bottles in my collection ranked through multiple blind tastings. Counting them down! #16: Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley. Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 45.2% ABV. NAS. Paid $104 It’s a pretty unique experience, but not worth ~$100 for a re-experience. Cherry wood smoked barley is a perfect description for this odd bourbon. Cherry and wood are prominent on the nose. Cherry cola, artificial sweetener, some blackberries. The wood is a dank, sweaty, decaying variety. It’s not obvious that is a bourbon. On the palate, this is halfway to Redbreast. Biscuits, brown sugar, malt, and of course cherry. Smokiness on the finish. This mashbill includes 30% malted barley that has been exposed to cherry wood smoke in the drying process. This creates a truly unique dram that may have you guessing if it is a bourbon, Irish, or Scotch when tasting blind. Very interesting initially, but once you get accustomed, the heavy-handed cherry and wood notes start to prevent you from repeatedly reaching for the bottle, which is in that awkward area of being too expensive to just drink for no good reason, but is not good enough to enjoy for a special occasion. A 375mL bottle for half the price would have been perfect. MARK: 88/100 PREVIOUSLY, ON BATMAN: #17: Highland Park. $90. 43%. 15 years. 88/100 #18: Glendronach. $59 (1L). 43%. 12 years. 87/100 #19: Ledaig. $60. 46.3%. 10 years. 87/100 #20: Longmorn. $94. 48%. 16 years. 87/100