Woodford Reserve has released its annual limited-edition, high-proof expression: Woodford Reserve Batch Proof.
At 118.4 proof, the 2022 expression is part of the annual Master’s Collection series, meant to celebrate the work of Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall.
Batch Proof reflects Woodford Reserve’s production process: blending barrels into a batch and then bottling the whiskey at its actual proof, straight from the barrel.
Batch Proof uses the same grain bill and process as Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
This year’s release has a lower proof than last year’s (which was bottled at 128.3 proof). Morris attributes this to the location of barrels chosen for the 2022 expression.
“Barrels drawn from the first floors of our heat-cycled warehouses routinely possess lower proof presentations due the more relaxed angel share process found there,” Morris explains. “This batch had more of these barrels in its composition, and therefore a lower batch proof presentation than past releases.”
Having tasted a media sample sent out last week, the 2022 Woodford Reserve Batch Proof exhibits a rich spice above its 118.4 proof. Flavors include cherry, vanilla, dark fruit, brown spice, sweet oak and light tea.
This limited-edition collection is available in U.S. and global markets, for a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750-ml bottle. It is also available at Woodford Reserve Distillery starting Tuesday, July 12.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or on Twitter @kswartzz. Read his piece, 11 American Whiskey Trends in 2022.
