Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish

[Underhilltab]

I don't think the board comments have been very favorable for this series over the last few years, but I read a very positive review or two on this latest version. I know it's BTAC and Pappy season, but any thoughts/tasting notes on this one?

[B.B. Babington]

not seen it yet. is it French oak? French oak finish lends interesting flavor if it comes through the wine. first Sonoma-Cutrer received mixed reviews.

[amg]

This is the only review I've seen of it:

http://www.drinkspirits.com/whiskey/review-woodford-reserve-sonoma-cutrer-finish/

Sounds more promising than the Chardonnay finished batch. I haven't seen any info on whether it's French or American oak.

[tanstaafl2]

Tried the new Woodford Masters Collection Pinot Noir finish at the Atlanta WoW event this weekend which didn't really strike me as something noteworthy. And I am an advocate for finished whiskey. But it doesn't always work! Finish seemed really rounded off with lots of wine acidity. Have to say it wasn't awful but not going to spend $100 on it so happy to get a chance to try it.

This is the only review I've seen of it:

http://www.drinkspirits.com/whiskey/review-woodford-reserve-sonoma-cutrer-finish/

Sounds more promising than the Chardonnay finished batch. I haven't seen any info on whether it's French or American oak.

[The Advantage]

Tried it, didn't care for it. Way too much oak and wine. Wouldn't get near another pour.

[jeffrey r]

Pretty amazing how they strike out so regularly. This is something that I might (stress might) try at like $30, but they are charging close to $100 for this. I could make multiple comparisons of why that is ridiculous, but currently, that is more than I paid for the PHC 8, a 13 year old, unique, delicious, cask-strength and non-chill filtered wheat whiskey. And, well, I don't like Woodford Reserve, and don't love Pinot Noir, so that sort of seals the deal as well.

[squire]

I like Pinot Noir and can tolerate Woodford but not in the same glass.

[jfw]

I tried it at WF San Francisco and really didn't like it. I'd buy the Big Bottom releases before this. I've taste all of the WRMC releases (although I stopped buying them a while back) and this one was by far the worst. They did bad things to this poor bourbon. Bad things.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

It has a great nose but it's finish is cheap brandy. Overall, an improvement over some of the masters collection but not a standout.

[Renegator]

I've really soured on Woodford Reserve lately. One of the worst whiskey's I've ever had is their WRMC Maple Wood finish. This is an easy pass for me - especially at or close to $100.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I commend them for trying something different. A rye in Pinot noir barrels would be interesting too.

[tanstaafl2]

I commend them for trying something different. A rye in Pinot noir barrels would be interesting too.

[squire]

It is particularly surprising how Woodford seems to miss more than they hit.

[TunnelTiger]

I've never had a bottle of any Woodford that I really enjoyed but I am a big old Old Forester fan. Now why is that?

[tanstaafl2]

I've never had a bottle of any Woodford that I really enjoyed but I am a big old Old Forester fan. Now why is that?

Different distilleries for one I suppose. Some portion of Woodford comes off their pot stills in addition to the more classic column still whiskey found in OF.

[tanstaafl2]

So did Babe Ruth and when asked about by a reporter is reputed to have said,"You can't hit if you don't swing". I'm not a Woodford fan but at least they're not some NDP pushing a sourced wine flavored mystery whisky at an inflated price.

Yeah but a 3 out of 10 average works in baseball. Not so much in whiskey distilling and I am not so sure the Masters Collection is even doing that well. Just a whole lot of foul balls!

[Paddy]

I admire that they do keep trying! And I'm even more thankful that I've got you guys to tell me when it's time to lighten the wallet.

For now, I pass it every time I see it (and I see it everywhere I go).

[B.B. Babington]

Tried it tonight. It's interesting. Didn't really shout limousin, but could be. It's probably worth it to those that like experimentals.

[The Black Tot]

Sounds like the Masters Collection didn't get the hit that they need more and more with each passing year.

I'd feel sorry for them if these were $60. But I've still got a burr in my saddle from the $100 I spent on the malt last year.

[bin31z]

Saw so many bottles around lately

[TunnelTiger]

Sounds like the Masters Collection didn't get the hit that they need more and more with each passing year.

I'd feel sorry for them if these were $60. But I've still got a burr in my saddle from the $100 I spent on the malt last year.

My feelings exactly and on top of that I was so angry at myself I poured it down the drain

Lesson learned

[tanstaafl2]

My feelings exactly and on top of that I was so angry at myself I poured it down the drain

Lesson learned

Yikes! I never get quite that angry with booze no matter how bad it is or much I feel like I made a bad decision. I can almost always find some way to drink it!

So if that happens again feel free to send whatever it is on down I-75 a bit for "disposal"! :cool:

[TunnelTiger]

Yikes! I never get quite that angry with booze no matter how bad it is or much I feel like I made a bad decision. I can almost always find some way to drink it!

So if that happens again feel free to send whatever it is on down I-75 a bit for "disposal"! :cool:

Well it was just after a completely aggravating week of work but if that ever happens again, and I doubt it will because I will never buy anything again without researching it here first, I will roll it down the hill. :grin:

[jvd99]

These are sitting on the shelves around here. I've tried a few of the past releases, but not these, and was not impressed. Unless I can get a sample for free at a tasting, I'll never know b/c I'm not shelling out that kind of cash when it's better spent elsewhere.

[cbus]

Had a taste of this at TPS. Not all that impressed. In my mind, the wine flavors just didn't play all that well with the bourbon. The only one of these experiments I liked was the Maple Finished one, and tasting this didn't change that. I'm happy Woodford keeps trying these, though, but not happy enough to shell out $80+ for a bottle. I'll just keep buying the regular WR.