In the 1830s the Woodford County distillery was the setting for a series of discoveries and innovative practices that would define the bourbon industry for generations to come. Today that pioneering and innovative tradition is embodied in the Woodford Reserve Distillery's Master's Collection. A tradition beginning when Master Distiller James Crow joined distillery owner Oscar Pepper to create the first true Kentucky bourbon whiskies. In 2004 the Woodford Reserve Distillery introduced a new era of innovation to the historic Kentucky Bourbon industry with the first release of its Master’s Collection, “Four Grain”. For this 2022 release Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall have drawn upon the rich history of Kentucky Bourbon and their own interests for inspiration. When “new make” Bourbon is entered into the barrel it begins the maturation process. There are many factors involved in this and barrel entry proof plays an important role. Proof is controlled both as it enters the barrel (barrel entry proof) and as it leaves the barrel (bottle proof) by adding water to achieve a desired flavour profile. A higher concentration of water added as it enters the barrel, resulting in a lower proof, allows for less water to be added upon exit, which results in a greater concentration of the natural flavours absorbed from the charred oak. Barrel entry proof has changed over the past two centuries. The bourbon of the 19th century had a barrel entry of 100 to 103 proof. After the repeal of Prohibition, barrel entry proof levels began to increase. In 1962 the barrel entry proof was increased to the present 125 proof standard. This 2022 Master’s Collection features the 100 proof entry of a bygone era and is presented at 90.4 proof. The result is this Historic Barrel Entry, a rich and darkly robust expression of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A deep russet orange in colour with an alluring medley of aromas of vanilla bean and dried apple dusted with nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon with a hint of cocoa. Roasted coffee and hazelnut soften into notes of dark cherry and plum muddled with spearmint. On the palate there are flavours of rich toasted oak is tempered by overripe banana and a medley of cooked berry fruits. Hints of leather, coffee, and baking spice trail into minty dark chocolate. A lingering finish of charred oak, leather, and orange oil.

Note: ABV may vary from batch to batch. Tasting note: [BATCH QBC 16-25 tasted] Bright brassy copper. Dessert style opening sniffs include tea biscuits, vanilla fudge, mocha and hints of sticky date. Air contact dries and lightens the bouquet introducing liquorice root, and fresher, woody/peppery notes. Linear on entry. Mid palate is mildly bittersweet, bolder, oily, resinous, plummy, warming but keenly balanced at high ABV. Finishes with a brisk flurry of sweet baking spices and late cedary oak. 57.15% Alc./Vol.

"...you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week." - breakingbourbon.com Produced from a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, the strain of yeast used for the Single Barrel bottlings is Four Roses' version “V” which is described as being "delicately fruity, spicy, and creamy." (The distillery is unique in that it uses five different strains to create ten different whiskies). Ages will vary in this series, (a seven year minimum is cited by one source). Regardless, the aim is to bottle when the whiskeys are deemed to have reached their peak, with each barrel yielding approximately 180 bottles. Each release is individually marked with a warehouse and barrel number which is not predictable and subject to change without notice. It's also part of the fun: No two barrels create identical tasting Bourbons, thus the single barrel concept provides the opportunity to appreciate and compare whiskies from different barrels and aging locations. [Barrel RN 8-4R tasted] Bright burnished copper penny colour. A robust Bourbon sniff with a dense core of vanilla custard and caramel fudge overlaid with peppermint, balsa wood, cocoa and hints of cherry. Concentrated yet controlled with razor sharp sweet/dry balance; a burst of vanillan oak, honey and spiced peach, offset by a tangy, vibrant finish. Glace cherry is followed by late mint freshness. Text-book poise and length. As complete a Bourbon as you could expect to find in its category, this really over delivers. 50% Alc./Vol.