Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Finish Review

For the past several years, Chris Morris, the Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, has been tinkering with his bourbon.  He plays around with the different aspects of making whiskey, be it the mashbill, distillation process, aging or the finish.  These experiments are released each fall as a small batch whiskey under Woodford Reserve’s “Master’s Collection” umbrella.

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This year’s release sees Mr. Morris playing around with the finish again.  He finished fully-matured Woodford Reserve Bourbon in barrels that previously held Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir.  Back in 2007 he did something simliar – finishing Woodford Reserve in Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay barrels.  From what I remember reading years ago, that release got mixed to good reviews.   How does this year’s release taste?  Woodford Reserve provided a tasting sample.

So… how does it taste?  In a word:  interesting.  It’s got a deeper color than standard Woodford Reserve.  On the nose, this whiskey is a bit oakier than I was expecting.  Past that, I can make out separate typical bourbon aromas and pinot noir aromas.  Taste-wise, just like in the aroma, there is a lot of oak.  More so than you’d think for a bourbon less than 10 years old.  I really wanted a “big fruit” bourbon with a prominent dark cherry flavor.  What I got didn’t quite meet my high expectations.  The fruit definitely comes out, but it seems to be competing with the traditional bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla and spice.  There’s obviously more flavor and boldness here versus traditional Woodford Reserve.  What I like about this is that, given the pinot noir influence, it isn’t too sweet.  The finish, however, is sweet, dry, and moderate in length.

I’ve only tasted one other “Master’s Collection” release – their Seasoned Oak Finish from 2009 (which I just picked up last month on my honeymoon.)  That particular bourbon was outstanding.  This one I’ll leave at “interesting.”  At a MSRP of $99.99, I’d suggest you try it before you buy it… although I have a feeling most of you will really like what you taste.

7/10

George Dickel 9 Year Old Single Barrel Review

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It’s finally here.  My very own bottle of 9 year old George Dickel Single Barrel Tennessee Whisky, hand selected by George Dickel National Ambassador Doug Kragel.  This is all because I joined the Dickel Dozen.  All 12 of us receive a bottle of George Dickel for review.  Several weeks ago Doug Kragel took us on a tour of the Cascade Hollow Distillery, where George Dickel is made, in the form of a video. He also hand-selected a barrel exclusively for members of the Dickel Dozen.  If you haven’t watched yet, please do.  It gives you a peek at how George Dickel comes to be.

So, like I was saying… it’s finally here (sample courtesy of George Dickel).   I sampled George Dickel No. 8, George Dickel No. 12, and George Dickel Barrel Select a while back, and for the most part I really liked what I tasted.  How does this 9 year old George Dickel Single Barrel compare?  In a word:  delicious.  Keep in mind, each barrel is going to taste slightly different.  On the nose I get some oak, vanilla, caramel and a little alcohol fume.  It comes in sweet.  Vanilla, sweet corn and oak are big players here, followed by some caramel.  There’s some playful bite at 103 proof, but nowhere near what it should be.  To me it feels more like a 90ish proof whiskey.  Maybe that’s the charcoal filtering this Tennessee whisky goes through.  The finish is moderate in length and dry, but leaves a sweet aftertaste.  There’s even a little vanilla back there.

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Let me talk about the presentation.  This bottle of George Dickel came in an awesome looking wooden box.  They went above and beyond.  Thankfully, it’s not all for show.  The juice inside this box is outstanding.

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This whisky is leagues better than Dickel No. 8.  George Dickel No. 12 is outstanding, especially in it’s price range.  Their Barrel Select is a great whiskey, but this single barrel slightly edges out as my favorite George Dickel Whisky.  It feels just a little more refined in flavors than its siblings.  George Dickel 9 Year Old Single Barrel isn’t available everywhere.  Check the better liquor stores in your area.  They may carry their own barrel of this for about $45.  Highly recommended!

9/10

George Dickel is in the building

 

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As a member of the Dickel Dozen, I am excited as ever to receive my own bottle of 9 year old George Dickel, hand selected by George Dickel National Ambassador Doug Kragel.  I had plans for this evening, but it very well may turn into a Dickel night.