Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Chocolate Malted Rye Bourbon

Earthy notes like many ryes. Grain notes with awesome dark chocolate finish.

So, today I messed up. I went to one of my local stops to see what new bottles may have appeared since the last time I had been there. Important to note, they keep most of their allocated items behind the counter which has a shelf and plexiglass on one side to act as a display, but the requires you to ask the cashier to get the bottle for you. I was looking through the plexiglass beyond the display items and saw on a counter behind the register the Woodford Master's bottles. They had them lined up in two rows and they hadn't been there just three days ago, I'm excited. I go to the register and request "the Woodford" on the back counter and ask how much. $116. Rough and out of my normal preferred range, but since I hadn't seen any other bottles at my other sources, this year or in past years, I decided to go bold. Fast-forward; I get home and want to admire the new addition, and that's when I realize I made a mistake. First, I should have been more critical of the TWO rows of the master's. I had spotted the Master's Batch Proof, but as you realize based on where I'm posting my review, I did not purchase the Batch Proof. Oof. But, I'm up for the adventure and I'm actually happy with how this turned out. This rogue gem has a great sweet scent, as you may expect from a heavy corn bill. Hints of cocoa and cherry, too. The taste is first similar to the reserve, but a hint of rye spice. It quickly goes to the chocolate and cherry flavors, but in a very smooth transition. I'd quickly point out that this is NOT a flavored bourbon, nor a rye, really, but the flavors stem from the roast that emulates the chocolate and cherry flavors. If you're not a fan of chocolate or cherry, sample at a bar, but don't get a bottle. Personally, I'm a big fan. The finish is a lighter percent dark chocolate, cherry cordial, and together reminds me of a hot cocoa cereal. Lesson learned, read the dern label if I don't grab the bottle of the shelf. In my defense I was excited for the find and hungry given it was 1pm and I had yet to eat lunch.

Nose: Nuts, Cedar and some musty funkiness I can not describe. Taste: Notes of Roasted Coffee and Chocolate, Cedar Easily one of the worst Bourbons I ever tasted - luckily it was only a sample and I did not buy a whole bottle

Delicious and well done. A bit pricey but worth the purchase. Tastes oddly similar to The Glenmorangie Signet scotch. Very creamy feel with lots of dark wood and chocolate notes.

To start, I’m not a woodford fan at all. It’s okay a good product but not my favorite. With that being said, this bottle is absolutely delicious. It is a rye but doesn’t taste like a rye. It’s got tastes of chocolate and cherry and well worth the price