Woodford Reserve - 1838 Style (White Corn)
Overall Score: 5.5/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery/Brown-Forman Distillery
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Brown-Forman
Release Date: 2015
Proof: 90.4
Age: 12 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed - 1838 Style White Corn
Color: Maple Syrup
MSRP: $80
The Barrel Bros’ Review
Let's dive into the Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection (1838 White Corn) bourbon!
One the nose, this straight bourbon presents initially very light — a deceptive youthyness hits your nose, which might make you think it’s young whiskey. You will get notes of oak that blend with a hint of dark sweetness, and a little strawberry and banana. If you let the pour sit in the glass for a bit, a subtle sweet note emerges, reminiscent of no-bake cookies or even maple syrup and pancakes.
The palate brings with it an odd blend of bourbon and scotch flavors. We also found flavors of sourdough bread, accompanied by a graininess reminiscent of a distillery's fermentation room. Despite its uniqueness, the absence of the promised sweetness from the nose may leave you disappointed.
The finish is straightforward, with oak taking center stage and a small amount of cherry sweetness. It's a light, dry conclusion that doesn't linger long on the palate. The graininess resurfaces, reminiscent of hops from an IPA beer, adding an unexpected twist.
Overall, this Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection (1838-Style White Corn) offers a distinctive tasting experience that may not appeal to everyone. While its use of white corn adds a unique touch, the divergence between nose and palate might leave you frustrated.
Ultimately, it's a whiskey that’s best suited for those seeking an unconventional experience or collectors looking to diversify their shelf with an "Indie" bottle.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 5.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Man, this is sweet! At first, I got mostly peanut brittle mixed with strawberry banana.
However, the nose did open up a bit and I started to get primarily store-bought maple syrup and buttered pancakes.
THE TASTE:
I am disappointed that the palate tastes nothing like the notes I got on the nose.
None of that sweetness is present and the main flavor I got was sourdough bread. There is a graininess as well as a mash flavor, similar to if you’ve ever been in a fermentation room at a distillery.
I did get a bit of woodiness as well, but not particularly oak more akin to sawdust. The mouthfeel is fairly pleasant. It’s light but also a bit dry.
THE FINISH:
The finish is pretty light and doesn’t last particularly long.
The main flavors here are oak and cherry.
The graininess presented itself again, but this time more reminiscent of the hops from an IPA beer.
BUY OR PASS?
This whiskey provides a very unique experience, just not a great one. I think the bottle is very elegant and it would be a fun “Indie” bottle to have on the shelf, but it’s not one I would go to very often.
It’s also not inexpensive if the plan is to purchase it and leave it on the shelf, so this whiskey falls in a weird place for me.
The Hunter Says
Score: 5.5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
There's a hint of oak, but it feels young, which is weird since this is supposed to be a 12-year-old bourbon.
Eventually, you catch a waft of dark sweetness, though it's hard for me to recognize anything specific.
After some air time, it surprises you with a subtle note of chocolate, like those no-bake cookies your grandma used to make.
THE TASTE:
It’s got a very oily mouthfeel. It also tastes like a bourbon and a Scotch decided to have a baby, but not necessarily a good-looking baby…
There's this peaty punch reminiscent of Scotch, but thankfully, the rough edges are smoothed out. However, it might not be everyone's cup of tea.
THE FINISH:
Oak takes the lead here, with no sweetness to speak of.
It's a straightforward finish, nothing fancy or elaborate.
BUY OR PASS?
Personally, it's not hitting the right notes for me. But if you're a Scotch sipper who occasionally dabbles in bourbon, this might be something worth grabbing.
Plus, props to Master Distiller Chris Morris for the creativity of using 1838-style white corn – definitely a unique touch that sets it apart.
