Woodford Reserve’s barrel finish philosophy aims to accentuate a attributes that already exist in our complex whiskies—never to add or change flavors. For the 2024 Master’s Collection release, Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall experimented with finishing our bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskies in Madeira barrels—creating uniquely fruit-forward whiskies.
Hailing from the Madeira Islands off the coast of Portugal, Madeira barrels are rich with dried fruit, spice, and nutty flavors from the fortified wine they once held. To further enhance the flavors of the Madeira-finished whiskies, they blended them with their fruit-forward Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey.
Together, this blend elevates the expansive fruit and floral notes found in their Wheat Whiskey to create this year’s Master Collection presentation: Woodford Reserve Madeira Cask Finish.