WOODFORD RESERVE STRAIGHT MALT APPEARANCE: Put to the light, it's a nice shade of dried tobacco. A quick swirl makes slow forming and slow moving fat droplets. NOSE: Whoa! That Brown Foreman fresh Latex Paint note jumps right out of the glass, but it fades quickly. I get Smoky/Toasty Malt Notes of Dark Chocolate, Raw Almonds, and Coffee. There is also Black Pepper, Clove, and the smell of Fresh Cut Lumber. (Side note: I only got the Latex Paint note on the first pour) NEAT: Slightly Oily/Coating Mouthfeel. Lots of Oak here, but the toasted Malt Notes dominate yielding hints of an Extra-Hoppy Beer, with bolder notes of Cashews, Dark Chocolate, Unsweetened Toasted Coconut, Dried Cherries, and Burnt Sugar. A drying finish with Slightly Bitter Oak and Malt coating the palate. SPLASH: Gives the nose and palate a a dominant note of Tea Leaves. Reduces the Bitter Oak and adds a mint note. Am I also picking up some Honey Butter? VERDICT: I am not a huge fan of Woodford in general, but I do applaud their willingness to go out on a limb and try new/different things. Some, like this one, work for me. Others? Well more on that in a future review. I think this is priced just right at $35 ($5 less than their bourbon sells for here). I have liked each successive pour more than the last. It definitely will be a repeat buy.