Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish American Whiskey (700ml)

Officially released in November 2014, the latest innovation from Woodford Reserve marks the ninth release in the series and has finally arrived in Australia. The whisky was produced by taking a batch of mature Woodford Reserve (roughly 7 years old) and finishing the spirit in Pinot Noir barrels for another 10 months. The freshly emptied barrels are shipped from California’s famed Sonoma-Cutrer Winery. This isn’t technically a bourbon, as it doesn’t meet the requirement that bourbon be aged in “new, charred, oak barrels”. It is, however, considered as one of the more controversial releases in the series, and according to distiller, Chris Morris, it's become one of the most requested since the Master's Collection first began. Bottled at 90 proof, the out turn resulted in approximately 36,000 bottles.

Other reviews... Like Chris Morris' last adventures with wine barrel finishing, the Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir Finish whiskey is unique. The combination between Woodford's Reserve Whiskey and Pinot Noir wine is an interesting one, and honestly one that we didn't love right out of the gate. Unlike last year's Classic Malt release, which was nothing short of a train wreck, the craftsmanship here is unmistakable with fantastic balance and integration of flavors. This release is absolutely the kind of whiskey that grows on you, and after spending a good hour with the spirit, it did finally win us over. 87 points - Geoff Kleinman, www.drinkspirits.com