Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 123.2 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2019 750ml

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof 123.2 is the 2019 edition of the annual Batch Proof series — the second release in the program, which was first introduced by Master Distiller Chris Morris in 2018 as a way to share with whiskey lovers exactly what the distillery tastes when assessing their bourbon straight from the barrel. The concept is deceptively simple: take 100 barrels of Woodford Reserve drawn from various production dates, warehouse locations, and floor levels, blend them into a single batch, and bottle the result at its exact natural proof without diluting to the standard 90.4 proof. What comes out is not a different bourbon — it is the same grain bill, the same copper pot still distillation, the same maturation at the National Historic Landmark distillery in Versailles, Kentucky. The only difference is that the final step of adding water has been skipped. For Chris Morris, this was the answer to the question he and Elizabeth McCall kept being asked at personal selection events: "Can I have it at that proof?" The answer, for the first time, was yes. At 123.2 proof and 61.6% ABV, the 2019 edition sits comfortably in the sweet spot of the Batch Proof range and was released in limited quantities to select US and global markets in spring 2019. As a discontinued back vintage of a highly allocated annual series, this is a rare find for Woodford collectors building the full Batch Proof run.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep coffee amber — the richest color in the early Batch Proof lineup, reflecting the concentrated maturation character of 100 carefully selected barrels.

Nose: Rich oak, overripe banana, and marzipan open alongside hints of orange oil dusted graham cracker and dried cherry. Aromatic depth that rewards patience in the glass. (Official notes by Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall.)

Palate: Dried apricot drizzled with rich dark chocolate layered over toasted hazelnuts and coffee, with faint flavors of cinnamon and clove. Fuller and more textured than later Batch Proof editions at the same proof range — the pot still character comes through clearly with an oily, fruity complexity.

Finish: Long, with spearmint and sweet cedar wood lingering well after the glass is set down. One of the more distinctive finish profiles in the Batch Proof series to date.

FAQ

What makes the 2019 edition significant in the Batch Proof series?
The 2019 Batch Proof was only the second edition ever released, and the first to be confirmed as an ongoing annual program. It was still firmly in the Chris Morris era — he selected the barrels personally and provided the official tasting notes. Morris conceived the Batch Proof concept after repeatedly being asked at personal selection events whether customers could take their barrel-strength sample home: the answer was finally yes, and the 2019 edition was the formal establishment of the series as an annual commitment. As a back vintage and Chris Morris-era release, it is significantly rarer than more recent editions.

How does the 2019 edition compare to the current Batch Proof 119.5 also in store?
The 2019 edition at 123.2 proof sits about 3.7 proof points higher than the current 119.5 release. Both use the same process — 100 barrels, natural batch proof — but the 2019 reflects a different set of barrels selected by Chris Morris under a different flavor philosophy. The official tasting notes are more distinctly fruit-forward and chocolate-driven on the 2019 versus the more spice-forward 119.5. The 2019 is also a discontinued back vintage, while the 119.5 is a current active release.

Where can I buy Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 123.2 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.