Heritage
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Madeira Cask Finish Kentucky Straight Whiskey (700 ml, 90.4 proof) is a limited-edition release that showcases the distillery’s commitment to innovation within tradition. After initial maturation in new charred American oak, the whiskey is finished in seasoned Madeira casks, bringing a unique layer of character shaped by the fortified wine of Portugal’s Madeira Islands. This finishing process imparts richness and depth while preserving Woodford’s classic bourbon structure.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairings
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with notes of dried fruit, raisins, and figs layered over caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. On the palate, flavors of honey, roasted nuts, and butterscotch are enriched by Madeira’s influence of stewed fruit, baking spice, and a touch of cocoa. The body is smooth and rounded, carrying into a long, elegant finish marked by oak, dried fruit sweetness, and gentle spice.
Food Pairings
Starter Prosciutto with dried figs, enhancing the whiskey’s fruit-forward richness.
Main Course Roast duck with cherry glaze, where the Madeira finish complements sweet and savory elements.
Cheese Aged gouda or stilton, whose nutty and tangy notes balance the whiskey’s dried fruit and honey tones.
Dessert Bread pudding with raisins or flourless chocolate cake, echoing the whiskey’s stewed fruit, cocoa, and caramel depth.
Craftsmanship
Woodford Reserve is one of Kentucky’s most distinguished bourbon brands, produced at the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. The distillery’s roots trace back to 1812, making it one of the oldest working distilleries in the United States and a designated National Historic Landmark. Though ownership has changed over time, today it operates under Brown-Forman, one of the most respected names in American spirits.
The brand has built its reputation on craftsmanship, tradition, and innovation. Unlike many distilleries that rely solely on column stills, Woodford Reserve uses a combination of copper pot stills and column stills, giving its bourbon a layered complexity. The whiskey is aged in new charred American oak barrels and matured in unique limestone warehouses where Kentucky’s climate—with hot summers and cold winters—shapes the whiskey’s deep flavor profile.
Woodford Reserve is known for its focus on balance and complexity. The distillery highlights more than 200 detectable flavor notes in its bourbon, ranging from rich dried fruit and vanilla to spice, cocoa, and nutty undertones. Beyond its flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Woodford has expanded into a family of expressions, including Double Oaked, Rye, Malt, and Master’s Collection limited editions, each showcasing a different aspect of whiskey-making artistry.
As the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve has become synonymous with tradition, elegance, and American heritage. Every bottle reflects the distillery’s commitment to quality and its place at the heart of Kentucky bourbon culture.
