Woodford Reserve – Master's Collection 1838 Style White Corn Kentucky Straight Bourbon (75cl, 45.2%)

This is a Kentucky straight bourbon from Woodford Reserve, released in 2015 as the tenth bottling in its Master's Collection. It is bottled at 45.2% ABV in a 75cl bottle. The mash bill uses white corn in place of yellow, together with 18% rye and 10% malted barley. It follows the grain bill used by Oscar Pepper and master distiller James Crow, who made whiskey on the Woodford Reserve site in the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s. The nose is soft and nutty, with malty grain, apple, spun sugar and vanilla. On the palate come shortbread and lemon custard, with a little white pepper. The finish is dry and fairly quick, with pepper and orchard fruit.