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. This year’s expression marks the 15th release of the Master’s Collection, which was created to honour 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. This Very Fine Rare Bourbon Whiskey has a burnt Sienna colouring. Layers of rich oak sweet aromatic notes, caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, vanilla merge into a cured tobacco character brightened with apple fruit. Very old oak notes sweetened with honey balanced by a touch of citrus and apple peel and a touch of clove spice. A long finish of raisin fruit and malty sweetness finish.

One of the best Rye whiskey around, very good value for this stunning dram. 95 points. Willett is a family owned distillery in Kentucky, with a very strong reputation for their Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys. "A robust rye with dark cherry, burnt vanilla, and spices for days. It’s a delicious rye with a weighty mouthfeel. It’s insanely well balanced with the alcohol so perfectly integrated at 115 proof you’ll forget its there, but you’ll find yourself happily smiling more and more with each dram. The finish is long and the spices dominate this batch, while the cherry does punch its way through to the surface." Tasting notes courtesy of: Bill Thomas, Jack Rose Dining Saloon.

Tasting Notes Nose is sweet vanilla, ripe fruit, and oak notes. The palate is buttery with a sweetness that I can only describe as "candied corn." The oak notes cut the sweetness, reminding you that you’re drinking a Bourbon. tasting notes courtesy of: Bill omas, Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Tasting Notes A classic Bourbon. On the nose, caramel, oak, vanilla, and just a hint of floral notes. The palate follows with more of the same. A softer style Bourbon this is a great gateway dram to converting someone to becoming a Bourbon drinker. tasting notes courtesy of: Bill omas, Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Willett Pure Kentucky Bourbon is a small-batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottled at 53.5% ABV (107 proof), made with pure limestone-filtered water. Tasting Notes: Nose: Aromas of toffee, fruit, eucalyptus, and oak. Palate: Flavors of cinnamon, toffee, caramel, pepper, oak, and spices. Finish: Warm and long-lasting, with lingering notes of nougat, baking spices, and nuttiness.

Nose: Rich caramel swirls with toasted oak. Vanilla and dark cherry beckon. Subtle spice teases the senses. It’s a warm invitation. Palate: Velvety toffee coats the tongue. Black pepper and ripe plum dance. Oak’s depth lingers boldly. A luxurious sip unfolds. Finish: Long and spicy, with sweet molasses. Cinnamon warms the throat. Oak’s embrace endures. It’s profoundly satisfying.