Sips & Sites & Bites

Woodford Reserve Distillery just unveiled the 21st release in its prestigious Master’s Collection: Sweet Oak Bourbon. And if you’ve been following this series, you know it’s all about pushing boundaries and showing just how much influence wood has on whiskey.

This year’s release is aged in rare Chinkapin oak barrels, a choice that adds some serious character to the final product. At 110.4 proof, Sweet Oak Bourbon isn’t shy … it’s bold, full-bodied, and still manages to keep that signature Woodford sweetness at its heart.

As Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall puts it, “With sweet oak at its core, this expression offers nuanced layers of flavor that whiskey collectors and connoisseurs will appreciate.”

So, what does that mean in the glass? Let’s talk tasting.

First, the color. It pours a deep mahogany, the kind of shade that practically glows in the right light … rich and inviting. On the nose, you’ll pick up warm aromas of mulled cherries and raisins, rounded out with a dash of clove and nutmeg. There’s also this sweet leather note and a toasted oak backbone that reminds you this is a whiskey with layers.

Take a sip, and the flavor journey kicks in. Think cozy winter baking spices … cinnamon rolls just out of the oven … but with an earthy twist of sassafras. Add in roasted walnuts and a hint of black tea, and suddenly, you’re in deep, complex territory. It’s hearty, but balanced.

The finish is where Sweet Oak really lingers. Long, warming notes of oak and black tea carry you through, with dried dark fruit trailing in the background. It’s the kind of finish that keeps you thinking about your next pour.

At $179.99 for a 700ml bottle, Sweet Oak Bourbon isn’t your everyday sipper. But as part of the Master’s Collection, it’s designed to be something special … something you savor, maybe even something you share with fellow whiskey lovers who appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into it.

If you’re lucky enough to be in Kentucky, you can snag a bottle at select retailers or straight from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. For a handful of other states (KY, NH, ND, NE, and Washington D.C.), bottles are also available through their online shop.

Woodford’s Sweet Oak Bourbon feels like both a nod to tradition and a step into the unexpected. And honestly? That’s exactly what keeps us coming back to the Master’s Collection year after year.

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