Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Oat Bourbon Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: C+

For over a decade, bourbon lovers have enjoyed Woodford Reserve’s annual Master’s Collection whiskeys. Master distiller Chris Morris’s pledged some time ago he would never repeat a Master’s Collection release, so each year offers enthusiasts something new to look forward to. This collection has been high on my list of annual bottles I dedicate time to hunt and I am rarely disappointed, especially as I enjoy Woodford whiskeys generally. There has never been a time that a bottle of Woodford Reserve or Double-Oak Woodford Reserve could not be found in my personal bourbon whiskey library.

In 2018 Woodford threw a bit of a surprise by offering two special edition whiskeys, instead of a single annual expression. This is not the first time Woodford’s had two Master’s Collection releases.  Remember the dubious malt whiskey and the delicious rye offerings released in 2006?  The two 2018 Master’s Collection whiskeys were Woodford Reserve American Select Oak and Woodford Reserve Oat Grain Kentucky Bourbon.

Today I am writing about Woodford Reserve’s Oat Grain Kentucky Bourbon. They include oats in the four-grain recipe, while keeping and minimizing the rye content. By adding oat into the pot still, it is said the liquid takes on the flavor profile found in Irish Whiskeys. This straight Kentucky bourbon has no age statement and is bottled at 45.2% ABV.

The Bourbon
The color is a dark brown honey with oily legs clinging to the inside of my glass. The nose is noticeably spicier than standard Woodford with notes of burnt pepper, raw grain and baking spice fragrance.

The mouthfeel is conspicuously syrupy, and the palate sports a chewy graininess upfront, reminding me of an oatmeal slushy flavor with hints of sweet molasses, brown sugar sprinkled with cinnamon and toasted woods on the back of the palate. The finish is warming and slightly smoky with hints of fresh leather and raw grain clinging to my palate. Overall, the 2018 Master’s Collection Oat Grain Kentucky Bourbon brings forward the barrel’s rich oak flavor contribution and an Irish whiskey’s smooth sweetness. While interesting, the whiskey is not my cup of tea.

The Price
Woodford Reserve Oat Grain Bourbon is plentiful in the Midwest with a suggested retail price of $129.99 per bottle and I found it online for as little as $105.95 and as much as $199.00.