Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Very Fine Rare Bourbon Whiskey 700mL

Woodford Reserve has released its oldest bourbon yet - Woodford Reserve Very Fine Rare Bourbon. For this limited-selection and one-time-only product, Master Distiller Chris Morris used very rare barrels of Woodford Reserve to debut a new, modern bottle design.

This year’s expression marks the 15th release of the Master’s Collection, which was created to honor the many discoveries and innovations that occurred at the 1812 distillery site where Woodford Reserve is now located.  Starting with the 2020 edition, all future master’s collections will focus on modern innovation by Morris and McCall.

“The name Very Fine Rare Bourbon is a nod to the descriptors used by our ancestors to auction highly-aged Bourbon barrel lots,” Morris said. “While Woodford Reserve will always honor the past, this Master’s Collection is about the present and future.”

The bourbon includes liquid from barrels that are 17 years old and date to 2003, the year Chris Morris was named Master Distiller. Morris and McCall have been holding back the barrels to batch with other barrels for a special release.

Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Burnt Sienna.

Nose: Layers of rich oak sweet aromatic notes, caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, vanilla merge into a cured tobacco character brightened with apple fruit.

Taste: Very old oak notes sweetened with honey balanced by a touch of citrus and apple peel and a touch of clove spice.

Finish: A long finish of raisin fruit and malty sweetness.

"Woodford Reserve's oldest-ever release includes barrels from 2003. Licorice, sassafras, dried herbs, and slate on the nose, followed by a palate that's rich and spiced, with notes of nutty chocolate, grape jelly, Christmas cake, brown sugar, and aged oak. Water unlocks lively notes of raspberry tart and nutmeg, and a lengthy finish offers cocoa powder, espresso, and semi-sweet chocolate. Mature, well-spiced, herbal, and balanced, with dessert-like chocolate and espresso flavors." - David Fleming, Whisky Advocate (91 Points)

"Tasting any sort of extremely aged bourbon is usually a memorable experience. Woodford’s Very Fine and Rare bourbon did not disappoint in that regard." - Mike, The Bourbon Culture

"While a few bourbon enthusiasts who laser-focus on technicals will take issue with the non-specific reference to the 17 year old barrels included in the blend (myself included), most won’t give it a second thought. Instead, they’ll get a limited edition bourbon that looks, tastes, and feels a bit special...the way limited releases should. Thankfully, the flavor profile doesn’t disappoint." - Nick Beiter, Breaking Bourbon