Woodford Reserve Releases Limited Edition 'Four Wood' Bourbon

LOUISVILLE, Ken., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Woodford Reserve announces the latest extension of its acclaimed Master's Collection which will be released in early November. This seventh release, called Four Wood, is part of the limited edition bottlings that push the limit of what Kentucky Whiskey offers by crafting rare and innovative products.

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Four Wood is a unique batching of mature Woodford Reserve bourbon which has been aged in American Oak and has been finished in barrels made from Maple Wood, Sherry Wood and Port Wood. In 1999 Woodford Reserve began to experiment with wood finishing. Over the years a great deal of knowledge has been compiled on how fully matured Woodford Reserve interacts with still wine barrels, other spirit type barrels, exotic wood barrels and fortified wine barrels.

"This year's Master's Collection brings together a unique combination of exotic wood (Maple) and fortified wine (Port and Sherry) in a complex interplay of flavors unsurpassed in our craft," said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. "The batching ratios of the three finishing barrels were painstakingly chosen so that no one character dominated the final product. Instead, Four Wood is so balanced that the palate effects of each of the four woods plays a discernible role in the final flavor presentation."

With each release, one of the five sources of flavor is changed for the Master's Collection expressions. These five sources – grain, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation – are unique to bourbon whiskey, and altering just one of them creates a totally new flavor profile.

"By changing the way Woodford Reserve is matured we have created a distinctly unique bourbon for this year's Master's Collection," said Brand Manager Laura Petry. "As far as we know, Woodford Reserve is the first and only Kentucky Whiskey to use four unique barrels in the maturation process."

Four Wood is the seventh in the Woodford Reserve Master's Collection series following Four Grain, Sonoma-Cutrer Finish, Sweet Mash, Seasoned Oak, Maple Wood Finish and Rare Rye Selection offerings. Released periodically at the master distiller's discretion, the Master's Collection whiskeys are extremely limited in quantity and bottled only once, in a proprietary package inspired by the copper pot stills of The Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The inspiration for the Master's Collection is rooted in the rich history and tradition of what is today known as The Woodford Reserve Distillery. In the mid-1800s distillery owner Oscar Pepper and Master Distiller James Crow studied and recommended use of key processes like sour mashing and charred barrel maturation at the historic Woodford County distillery. These practices are still maintained in the bourbon industry, and today the distillery receives more than 130,000 visitors annually.

Four Wood will be sold in 47 U.S. markets, and a limited quantity will be available in Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Sweden, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and in various Duty Free markets. Each bottle is individually numbered and presented at 94.4 proof. Available in major metro markets, limited cases are available with a suggested retail price of $99.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Four Wood

Color: Rich Orange Caramel

Aroma: Full, rich and buttery with an intensely fruity (apple, dried cherry, baked peach) character that is sweetened with hints of maple syrup and toffee.

Flavor: Warm and full-bodied with a medley of baked fruit character that layers over a nutty, spicy range of honeyed oak and caramel.

Finish: Long warm and sensuous

Woodford Reserve is a product of the Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BF-B), a producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands such as Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia, Korbel, Tequila Herradura, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, and Tuaca. Please enjoy your bourbon responsibly. For more information on Woodford Reserve, visit www.woodfordreserve.com or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/woodfordreserve.

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Four Wood, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Matured in Oak and Finished in Maple Wood and Wine Barrels, 47.2% Alc. by Vol., produced and bottled by the Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY ©2012

SOURCE Woodford Reserve