Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 2022 Release 118.4 Proof (59.2%) Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)

Woodford Reserve released this annual limited-edition in July 2022. Part of the annual Master’s Collection series, it's a celebration of Woodford's proprietary process - blending barrels into a batch and then bottling the whiskey at its actual proof, straight from the barrel. Crafted using the same grain bill and process as standard Woodfords, Batch Proof takes the distillery's trademark flavour range of sweet vanilla and toasted oak to a new level. Of the 2022 edition, Master Distiller, Chris Morris comments “Barrels drawn from the first floors of our heat-cycled warehouses routinely possess lower proof presentations due to the more relaxed angel share process found there,” adding “This batch had more of these barrels in its composition, and therefore a lower batch proof presentation than past releases.” 59.2% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... At batch proof, Woodford's bourbon is layered and rich, opening with decadent tiramisu, café latte, and hazelnut coffee. With time and a little water, this whiskey unfolds with stewed fruits, berry compote, milk chocolate syrup, and a wide range of baked goods, like cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, and chocolate croissants. The finish is long and spicy, introducing black pepper and dark chocolate with sea salt, plus a healthy amount of toasty oak. 91 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...This year’s release is quite a bit different from last year’s. Decidedly less sweet, the bourbon is full of coffee, dark chocolate, and pecan notes. Thick layers of charred oak are strung throughout, leaving behind a dry mouthfeel. This release is much darker and robust than previous releases and fans of this particular style will enjoy it. With the lack of fruit and sweet notes, the bourbon can come across as one-sided with its heavy focus on dark flavors. Woodford continues to explore new areas of their bourbon at a higher proof and while many are brash affairs forgoing much refinement, they’re never boring. Once again, 2022 follows this trend. - breakingbourbon.com