Woodford Reserve Master’s 1838 Sweet Mash

R.I.P. - No longer made
Difford's Guide

alc./vol: 43.2%

Proof: 86.4°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: No age statement

Product of: Product of United States United States

Released in 2007, this ‘Sweet Mash’ is the third offering in Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection and is another one-time-only recreation of a most unusual whiskey.

The sour mash process became the norm for the production of bourbon in the mid 1800s as it reduces variation between batches. A proportion of each fermented mash is ‘set back’ and added to the next mash. This reduces the pH of the mash, making it more acidic than it would otherwise be.

In this sweet mash fermentation there was no souring/setback added. This raised the pH of the Woodford Reserve mash by nearly one full point from its usual (soured) 5.6 to (a sweet) 6.4. For the non-chemists, 7.0 is neutral, hence this mash was far less acidic. The higher pH level stresses the yeast leading to the creation of more congeners so accentuating fruitier flavours within the mash.

Review and Tasting


Sampled before 1st May 2011

Appearance:

Clear, dark amber with a hint of orange.

Aroma:

Fruity nose with new leather and wafts of maple syrup.

Taste:

Starts sweet with fruity notes of apple, pear and maple syrup. Notes of buttery corn with nutmeg and cinnamon spice emerge.

Aftertaste:

Clean white pepper and vanilla finish.

Join the Discussion


... comment(s) for Woodford Reserve Master’s 1838 Sweet Mash

You must log in to your account to make a comment.

Report comment

You must be logged in to upvote or downvote a comment

Click here to login

Update information/image

Product Information

Closure: Natural cork stopper

More about Woodford Reserve Master’s 1838 Sweet Mash

Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2024