Bottle hunters, start your engines.
Originally developed by former Master Distiller Chris Morris and now under his successor, Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series is a limited collection of interesting small-batch whiskeys. Sweet Mash Redux, Frosty Four Wood, and Double Double Oaked are a few past expressions, but this latest Blended Malt takes the Series into unchartered territory with its first all-malt release.
Before you start getting thirsty, this Blended Malt is only available for retail in Kentucky or at the distillery. Bottles are available for shipping at shop.woodfordreserve.com in a handful of areas, including Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, New England, and Washington DC. The retail price is $65 for a .375 liter bottle. Pretty stingy, unfortunately, but the lucky few who score a bottle are sure to be in for a treat.
“This showcases our ability to take complex barrels of whiskeys, blend them together, and create a new flavorful product.”
—Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall
What’s In The Bottle?
Woodford Reserve Blended Malt is a combination of two whiskeys. The first is a 100% malt recipe aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Ruby Port pipes. The second component is a mingling of five individual malt styles matured in new oak. The final expression is bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV).
How Does It Taste?
Company tasting notes promise aromas of raspberry preserves, nutty malt, pumpkin spice, and orange peel. This leads to candied nutty malt, raw oak, and citrus oil flavors, concluding with a long, fruit-laden finish balanced with allspice.
John McCarthy is a spirit, travel, and lifestyle journalist, managing editor, and author of The Modern Gentleman and Whiskey Rebels: The Dreamers, Visionaries & Badasses Who Are Revolutionizing American Whiskey. McCarthy is also editor of Barleycorn Drinks and Director of Judging of the John Barleycorn Awards.
