Oak | Burning leaves | Leather | Brown sugar | Faint cinnamon popcorn | Dark raisins | Light caramel

Spiced cherry | Rye spice | Cinnamon stick | Charred oak | Vanilla pudding | Spiced raisin | Light chocolate syrup

Chocolate | Dry oak | Leather | Rye spice | Green peppercorn | Slight sweet dark grape | Vanilla powder | Dry chewy chocolate finish

The Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection annual release focuses on a completely unique aspect from the one that came before it. For this year’s 21st release, the company states that the bourbon was “aged in rare Chinkapin oak barrels, this whiskey draws bold flavor and unique grain structure.” Best known for its edible acorns, Chinkapin oak is part of the white oak group and native to eastern and central North America.

The Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection can be a hit or miss affair regarding the quality of the sip it delivers. In part, this is due to the more experimental nature that these releases represent for the company. With this year’s release, the bourbon was aged entirely in a different type of oak than Woodford typically uses, and the result is surprisingly noticeable, in the best way possible.

The first noticeable difference is the dark color of the pour, with a dark mahogany whiskey resting in the glass. The bourbon uses its 110.4 proof well, as an intriguing aroma kicks things off, full of an intriguing combination of scents you don’t come across too often. The midpoint highlights spice and classic notes, with vanilla pudding and light chocolate syrup providing sweetness. This sweetness carries over to the finish, which combines with dry and spiced notes and ends on a very pleasing, dry, chewy chocolate finish. An excellent showing by Woodford this year, the 21st release of Master’s Collection Sweet Oak once again shows the benefit of being willing to color outside the lines and try something new.