Woodford Reserve Master's Collection No. 22 Super Seasoned Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Straight Bourbon | 50.2% ABV | 100.4 Proof | 700mL | Kentucky, USA | Master’s Collection No. 22 | 2026 Release

Process & Profile

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 22 Super Seasoned Oak explores how barrel preparation influences bourbon before the whiskey ever enters the wood. Created under Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, this limited 2026 release uses barrels built from American oak staves seasoned outdoors for five to seven years. That extended exposure distinguishes the release from barrels made with wood seasoned for months or approximately one year.

Weathering the staves over several years helps reduce harsh green tannins and changes how the oak contributes flavor during maturation. The bourbon then spent nine years aging, developing a profile that brings together caramel and vanilla sweetness, fruit, citrus oils, and baking spice. The wood-seasoning period and the whiskey’s maturation are separate stages of the process.

Bottled at 100.4 proof, Super Seasoned Oak offers a detailed look at one of bourbon’s most influential ingredients: the barrel. Its combination of extended stave seasoning and mature whiskey makes it a distinctive addition for drinkers interested in Woodford Reserve’s experiments with oak.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Caramel and vanilla, followed by almond, cherry, and dried red apple accented with cinnamon.

• Palate: A velvety combination of vanilla and caramel, lifted by orange oils, cinnamon, and clove.

• Finish: Sweet, with warming cinnamon.

What Makes It Special

• Master’s Collection No. 22: The numbered 2026 release in Woodford Reserve’s experimental series.

• Five to seven years of outdoor seasoning: The barrel staves underwent prolonged weathering before barrel construction.

• A focus on oak preparation: Explores how extended seasoning influences tannins, sweetness, and spice.

• Nine-year maturation: The bourbon’s aging follows the separate wood-seasoning stage.

• 100.4 proof: Bottled at 50.2% ABV.

• Limited release: A distinct expression for collectors following the Master’s Collection and drinkers exploring barrel-driven bourbon.

How to Enjoy

Start with a neat pour in a tulip-shaped whiskey glass to explore the fruit, vanilla, and spice aromas. Add a few drops of water and compare how the citrus and oak character develop as the whiskey rests.

For a chilled serve, use one large ice cube and allow the dilution to build gradually. A small piece of dark chocolate or lightly toasted almonds would make a complementary pairing without requiring an elaborate tasting setup.