Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Straight Malt

Nose: Palate: Finish:

Super cherry chocolate notes.

Kinda tastes like banana bread. BANANAS but good and natural bananas

Super Carmel vanilla velvet I like

I got this from a friend who was never going to open it and wanted room in his collection for things he was more interested in. Fair enough, I suppose - beats paying retail. The nose was not the most…encouraging introduction here. There’s a somewhat off-putting quality; I struggle to know exactly how to describe it, but I find it often in American single malts, especially underaged ones. Maybe it’s the calling card of youthful malt whiskey. Regardless, it’s there in all of its je ne sais quoi glory, and if you dig a little more there are very sweet cereal and praline notes. Palate is quite sweet - salted caramel, milk chocolate, candied pecan, peaches (especially at the finish), baking spices, even something a little biscuity. The peach note at the tail end of the palate really lingers. The mouthfeel is pleasantly rich and round, without too much boozy burn. Overall, I enjoyed this, but it’s probably not worth whatever obscene price tag it ostensibly commands. Woodford is out here doing some quality work, but half of the MSRP here is paying for the brand name and the perceived exclusivity of the “Master’s Collection” limited release. But, hey, if a friend’s willing to give it to you for basically a clearance price, it’s hard to complain.