Woodford Reserve 2017 Master’s Collection Release Features a Cherry Smoked Malt

Posted on September 26, 2017
By Distillery Trail
In Blog

Woodford Reserve Distillery put out its first Master’s Collection in 2006. Each year they release a limited edition variation, once they are gone, they are gone for good (or bad if you are trying to score a bottle.) Now in its 12th year, the 2017 limited edition Master’s Collection — Cherry Wood Smoked Barley features a malted barley that has been exposed to cherry wood smoke during the kilning process. The standard Woodford Reserve Bourbon uses a natural malted barley.

The Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley was created by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. Morris say this is one of the first Kentucky Bourbons to use malted barley that has been exposed to cherry wood smoke. With 30% malt content, the Cherry Wood Smoked mash bill has a higher concentration of malt than a traditional bourbon.

Master’s Collection -- Cherry Wood Smoked Barley, Bottle Neck Label

“We started this many years ago when we first established a bourbon recipe that contained a high percentage of smoked barley,” said Master Distiller Chris Morris. “By following our five sources of flavor philosophy (water, grain, fermentation, distillation and maturation), one dramatic change can have a tremendous impact on the flavor. In this case, a bourbon with a high malt recipe that has been smoked with cherry wood results in a bourbon unlike any other.”

The Woodford Reserve Five Sources of Flavor

Woodford Reserve Distillery 5 Sources of Flavor

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Here are the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley tasting notes as provided by the company.

Color: Rich amber
Aroma: A complex mingling of deep caramel, brown sugar and dark chocolate covered in a layer of cherry jam and nutty crumbles dusted with wood spice.
Flavor: Intense smoked almond and malt character sweetened with a cherry pie filling and a touch of caramel.
Finish: Long smoked almond notes fade into a rich cherry fruit jam.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Cherry Wood Smoked Barley will be available for purchase in select markets within the United States and in limited international markets beginning in November with a suggested retail price of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle at 90.4 proof.