Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection 2014 Sonoma-Cutrer Finish (45.2%, OB, 36334 Bottles, 2014)

• ABV: 45.2%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB
• Category: Pinot noir finished Bourbon
• Cost: £119.90 available from Master of Malt
• Origin: Woodford Reserve distillery
• Vintage: Undeclared

What they say

The Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish is the latest in product innovation from Woodford Reserve, and marks the ninth release in the series. The Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish was produced by taking a batch of mature Woodford Reserve and finishing the spirit in Pinot Noir barrels freshly emptied and shipped from California’s famed Sonoma-Cutrer Winery. Take a look at our Master Distiller’s explanation behind his inspiration for Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish.

Official tasting notes:

• APPEARANCE Rich, deep garnet.
• NOSE Bursting with rich red fruit and berry character overlaying a complex sprinkling of spice (cinnamon, clove), oak and dark caramel.
• TASTE Warm and fruit forward with notes of cherry, raspberry, blackberry followed by a crisp spiciness and subtle oak sweetness.
• FINISH Long and warm with lingering fruit and earthy oak character.

What I say

This Masters Edition takes Woodford Reserve Cask Strength Bourbon typically around 7 years old and matured it for a further 10 months in Sonoma-Cutrer ex french oak Pinot Noir casks – making it instantly not a bourbon as bourbon can only be matured in virgin oak casks! Sadly this means generally there is a lot less cask-finished Bourbon whiskies around to sample when compared to Scotch single malt for example. Thankfully The folks at Brown Forman / Woodford Reserve cared very little for the fact this wasn’t a classic bourbon and used the freedom of their Masters Edition range to try this out.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Deep red gold with ruby highlights (14/20), medium-fine tears and thin legs.
• Nose: Sweet, maple syrup, strawberry marshmallow, plum sauce, spiced, star anise, cinnamon, chocolate-dipped strawberries, hints of biro ink, brown sugar, leather and vanilla.
• Taste: Oily and sugary, maple syrup, brown sugar, woody sugars, pencil shavings, biro ink, floral rose, fruity blackcurrant and bramble, raspberry, red apples, polished wood, chocolate, vanilla pods.
• Finish: Long, cinnamon spiced red apple pie, polished and resinous oak wood.

Overall

A beautiful combination of bourbon and red wine cask finishing that added plenty of red fruits.

Score 91/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Read The Whiskey Jug’s review of Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Finish

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