Woodford Reserve’s Latest Master’s Collection Whiskey Honors a Once ‘Controversial’ Finishing Process

Woodford unveiled its 20th Master’s Collection release.

On Wednesday, Woodford Reserve unveiled its fall 2024 Master’s Collection release — a whiskey that was finished in Madeira wine casks and blended with wheat whiskey. The whiskey is the 20th release within the brand’s Master’s Collection and hosts a suggested retail price of $169.99 per 750-milliliter bottle. It’s bottled at 45.2% ABV.

“Madeira Cask Finish is a tremendous way to celebrate 20 years of the Master’s Collection,” Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall said in a news release. “In 2007, Woodford Reserve was among the first bourbons to finish in wine casks. It was quite controversial at the time but is now a common practice by other distillers. This 20th expression marks that historic milestone, with a new Madeira wine cask.”

Wine-centric releases appear to be a trend for the Woodford’s Master’s Collection. Last year’s release celebrated Napa Valley’s wine scene with a release that was finished in a combination of Sonoma County pinot noir and brandy barrels in addition to ex-bourbon barrels that were used to age wine.

Woodford Reserve claimed that many brands have used its barrels to age wine, making the release appear to be an organic one. McCall was particularly passionate about the release and claimed it brought together “the worlds of bourbon and wine in a way unlike any [whiskey] we’ve ever released before.”

Woodford Master’s Collection Madeira Cask Finish Tasting Notes, Via the Brand

Nose: Candied oranges, morello cherries, baking spices and brown sugar.

Taste: Dark fruit, dried cranberries with raisins.

Finish: Lingers, with flavors of candied walnut.