Woodford Reserve to launch new Master’s Collection whiskey

By Andy Young, Editor The Shout

Woodford Reserve has revealed that the 11th expression in its Master’s Collection series, a Brandy Cask finish, will be available in Australia from Tuesday 1 August.

This will be the first Woodford Reserve to be finished in an ex-American brandy cask, bringing a new element to the whiskey.

A spokesperson for Woodford Reserve said: “Brandy is often aged in oak barrels and these can be used a number of times because brandy doesn’t have the new, charred barrel requirement that Kentucky Bourbon does. 

“Finishing fully matured Woodford Reserve in these barrels doesn’t add any new flavours to the whiskey, but it accentuates the rich dried fruit and nut characteristics that come from the grain recipe and long fermentation process.”

The Master’s Collection is a series of small batch products, which aim to restore innovative whiskey making capabilities that may have disappeared over time.

The Brandy Cask finish is described as having a “warm, red ochre” colour with the taste of “toffee-covered dried fruit and toasted hazelnuts warmed by delicate wood spice notes” and a “long and warm finish with a touch of caramel lingering on”.

The new expression will be available through Dan Murphy’s or from Woodford Reserve from 1 August.