Tasting Woodford Reserve Cherry Wood Smoked Barley
I remember the particular first time I got my hands upon a bottle associated with woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley , mostly because the particular aroma hit me before I also took a drink. It's among those produces that makes you realize just how very much room there nevertheless is for innovation in the bourbon world. Released because the 12th version of their Master's Collection, this container represents a pretty bold departure through what people usually expect whenever they crack open a Woodford bottle. It isn't simply another small-batch tweak; it's a full-on experiment with how grain and smoke interact.
If you're a lover of the brand name, you probably understand they aren't afraid to get the little weird. But this one sensed different. By making use of malted barley that had been smoked with cherry wood, they tapped in to a flavor profile that feels both nostalgic and totally refreshing. It doesn't shout "smoke" like a heavy Islay scotch might, but it whispers it in a way that changes the entire DNA of the nature.
The Concept Behind the Smoke cigarettes
Most individuals think of bourbon and immediately consider corn. While hammer toe is the anchor of any bourbon, the secondary grains—the rye or the barley—usually the actual large lifting when it comes to the particular "seasoning" from the beverage. With the woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley , the particular team decided in order to push the malted barley to the particular forefront. Instead of the normal tiny percentage a person find in almost all mash bills, they bumped the malted barley up to be able to 30%.
But the true kicker isn't only the quantity; it's the treatment. Smoking grain isn't a new concept, however the choice associated with wood makes all the distinction. Cherry wood is definitely known for becoming soft, sweet, plus slightly floral. When you use it to smoke barley, those characteristics leak into the wheat and, eventually, straight into the distillate. It's a far be sad from the healing, earthy smoke associated with peat. It seems more like a summertime bonfire or the particular smell of the high-end pipe tobacco.
What It Really Tastes Like
When you pour a glass, the particular first thing you notice is the color. It's got that wealthy, deep amber hue that Woodford is famous for, but there's a certain brightness into it. On the particular nose, it's the bit of the curveball. You obtain the particular classic caramel and vanilla notes you'd expect, however there's this distinct crazy quality. It scents a bit like toasted almonds or even marzipan.
Taking that initial sip of woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley is where items get interesting. The smoke is subtle. It's tucked aside under layers of dark chocolate plus dried fruit. It's not a "charred" flavor so very much as it is usually a "toasted" a single. Due to that high barley content, the particular mouthfeel is extremely creamy. It does not have that sharp spicy bite you obtain from high-rye bourbons, opting instead with regard to a smooth, velvety texture that layers your tongue.
As you let it sit, the cherry influence begins to come out there. It's not such as a fake maraschino cherry flavor; it's more like a tart, sun-ripened cherry that's been somewhat smoked. There's also a hint of ginger and maybe a little bit of cinnamon lurking within the background. It's complex, but it doesn't feel like it's trying too really hard.
Why the particular 30% Barley Issues
In the world of bourbon, the mash bill is usually a closely safeguarded secret or the very traditional method. Most Woodford expression stay pretty near to the regular 18% rye plus 10% malted barley. By cranking that barley up to 30% for the woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley , they essentially developed crossbreed that flirts along with the characteristics of the single malt while staying firmly seated in the bourbon category.
Barley brings a certain "cereal" sweetness that corn and rye just can't reproduce. It makes the whiskey feel weightier, in a great way. It's substantial. When you mix that extra body with the cherry wood smoke, a person get a drink that feels very "autumnal. " It's the kind associated with pour you need on a cold The fall of night when the particular sun goes straight down early and you're just trying to remain warm.
The Finish and the Aftertaste
A lot of trial and error whiskeys fall aside for the finish. They start strong but end with a weird metallic notice or an overwhelming bitterness. Fortunately, that's not the situation here. The finish off on the woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley is surprisingly lengthy and stays quite sweet. The smoke lingers, but this becomes more associated with a roasted cocoa flavor as it ends.
I've found how the "nutty" notes I stated earlier really hang around. It leaves you with the taste that reminds me of these toasted pecans a person find at street fairs. It's clear, it's balanced, also it doesn't overstay the welcome. You aren't left reaching for a glass of water to wash away an ashtray taste, which is a common concern for people who aren't generally into "smoky" mood.
How in order to Enjoy It
I'm usually the purist when it comes to limited releases like this particular. I believe you must pay back it towards the distillers to try the particular woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley neat 1st. You want in order to see how those flavors evolve since the glass breathes. The drop or 2 of water can help open up all those floral cherry information, but I wouldn't overload.
With that being said, if you're feeling adventurous, this particular makes an incredible Old Fashioned. The particular smoke plays from the bitters in a way that's simply fantastic. Because the rum itself already has those cherry and chocolate undertones, a person don't need a great deal of sugar to make the cocktail pop. It's a sophisticated version of the classic, and it'll definitely spark a conversation in case you're serving it to friends.
Could it be Still Accessible?
Since this was a restricted discharge in the Master's Collection, finding the bottle of woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley on the standard liquor store shelf today can be a bit of a hunt. It's become a little bit of a collector's item. However, if you see it in a specialty shop or a well-stocked whiskey bar, it's worth the cost of a pour. It represents a specific moment within Woodford's history where they were actually pushing the limitations of what "bourbon" could be.
Also if you can't find this particular bottle, it's the great gateway in to understanding how different wood types affect grain. It changed the way We take a look at smoked whiskeys. I did previously think almost everything smoked had in order to taste just like a campfire, but this container proved that smoke can be sophisticated, fruity, and actually delicate.
Final Thoughts
The particular woodford reserve cherry wood smoked barley isn't heading to be for everyone. If you're somebody who wants that substantial, spicy rye punch or the simple corn sweetness associated with a traditional wheated bourbon, this may throw you for the cycle. But if you're looking for some thing that challenges your palate and offers a different perspective upon grain manipulation, it's a winner.
It's a testament to the fact that even the big names in Kentucky can still surprise us. They will took a danger by messing with the barley proportions plus introducing a non-traditional smoking wood, also it paid off. It's a bottle that will stays in your memory long after the glass is empty, and honestly, that's exactly what the Master's Collection launch should do. Whether or not you're a seasoned collector or just someone who likes a great story with their own drink, this will be one chapter of the Woodford tale that's definitely worthy of reading—or, better yet, drinking.