Woodford Reserve extends Master’s Collection
Bourbon brand Woodford Reserve has extended its Master’s Collection range with the launch of the new Maple Wood Finish edition.
The new offering is the fifth in the series of limited edition exclusive whiskeys from the Bacardi Brown-Forman owned brand.
This whiskey is the descirbed as being the most individual of the Master’s Collection, being the first bourbon to undergo a secondary maturation in barrels made from sugar maple wood.
Barrels play a key role in producing bourbon, with approximately 70% of the spirit’s flavour and aroma – and all of its colour – provided by the barrel.
Woodford Reserve’s new offering features bourbon finish-aged in uniquely crafted barrels made of maple wood, something never before done in the industry.
“Sugar maple trees have a complex natural chemistry, rich in calcium, potassium and other minerals, but they are best known for their flavourful sap which contains as much as 3% sugar,” said Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris.
“Though it was thought that whiskey barrels could not be crafted from sugar maple wood, our Brown-Forman Cooperage has done just that. The Master’s Collection Maple Wood Finish uniquely finish-ages Woodford Reserve in a toasted, not charred, maple wood barrel, resulting in a whiskey enhanced with hints of maple, honey and cinnamon.”
Maple Wood Finish is the fifth in the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection series following the Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash and Seasoned Oak offerings.
Released periodically at the Master Distiller’s discretion, the Master’s Collection whiskeys are limited in quantity and bottled once, in a package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve distillery.
Each bottle is individually numbered and presented at 47.2% abv. Available via The Whisky Exchange in limited numbers, retailing at around £110 per 750ml bottle.
Georgia Donmall, Woodford Reserve brand manager, added: “Woodford Reserve is already an award winning whiskey but through our Master’s Collection we aim to push the boundaries of Bourbon innovation delivering undiscovered flavours and aromas.
“The Maple Wood Finish is a unique edition to our Master’s Collection and we are confident that we have created yet another great tasting, elegant whiskey.”
