Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Five-Malt Stouted Mash Malt Whiskey 750ML

Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Five-Malt Stouted Mash Malt Whiskey 750ML is a 90.4-proof (45.2% ABV) Kentucky malt whiskey built from a five-malt mashbill borrowed from stout beer brewing. Rated 93 points by Whisky Advocate and awarded "Master" status by Whiskey Magazine, this limited annual release stands as one of the most distinctive entries in the long-running Master's Collection series.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.2%  |  Origin: Versailles, Kentucky, USA  |  NAS  |  Distillery: Woodford Reserve

Production & Heritage

Woodford Reserve, located on the historic Glenn's Creek site in Versailles, Kentucky, has operated in various forms since the early 19th century and today sits under the Brown-Forman portfolio. The Five-Malt Stouted Mash uses a mashbill of distillers malt, wheat malt, pale chocolate malt, Carafa 1 malt, and kiln coffee malt — grain selections typically reserved for brewing dark stouts rather than distilling whiskey. Master Distiller Chris Morris described it as "an expression unlike any other we've released before," and production follows Woodford Reserve's signature triple copper pot still distillation, a method more closely associated with Irish whiskey than bourbon country.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Malty sweetness leads, followed by toasted nuts and milk chocolate. Orange peel, baking spices, and a gentle oakiness emerge behind softer notes of mint and cherry.

Taste: The entry is rich with hazelnut and cocoa, immediately grounded by a biscuity malt backbone. Mid-palate, toffee and baked fruit take hold alongside warm spice. A subtle bitter citrus quality — almost reminiscent of hops — adds complexity without heaviness, keeping the whiskey surprisingly light on its feet for the depth of flavor it carries.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering malt and dark chocolate trailing off slowly. A faint citrus bitterness and barley sweetness persist through the close.

How to Drink Five-Malt Stouted Mash

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding approach; the stout-inspired malt character reveals layers gradually as the whiskey opens up. An Old Fashioned benefits from the cocoa and toffee notes, which stand up well against bitters and a sugar cube. A Boulevardier gains unusual depth from the roasted malt backbone pairing with sweet vermouth and Campari. A Whiskey Sour lets the citrus and biscuit qualities shine against fresh lemon juice.

Best For

• Gifting a whiskey collector who tracks the annual Master's Collection releases
• Side-by-side tastings with craft beer-barrel-finished or malt-forward whiskeys
• After-dinner sipping alongside dessert courses featuring chocolate or toffee
• Adding a conversation piece to a home bar shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Five-Malt Stouted Mash taste like? It delivers a rich malt-driven profile anchored by hazelnut, cocoa, toffee, and biscuit flavors, with a subtle bitter citrus edge that recalls the character of a well-brewed stout. Despite the intensity of its grain bill, the whiskey drinks lighter than expected at 90.4 proof.

How does Five-Malt Stouted Mash compare to Deschutes Black Butte Whiskey? Both draw on dark beer traditions — Black Butte is distilled directly from Deschutes' porter — but Five-Malt Stouted Mash takes a different path by using stout-style malts in the mashbill and running them through Woodford Reserve's triple pot still distillation. The result leans more toward classic malt whiskey character with stout undertones, whereas Black Butte tends toward heavier roasted grain and porter flavors.

Is Five-Malt Stouted Mash good for sipping neat? Yes — its moderate 45.2% ABV, layered malt complexity, and smooth pot-still texture make it well-suited for neat sipping. A small amount of water can further open up the chocolate and toffee notes.

Where is Five-Malt Stouted Mash made? It is produced at the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky. The distillery sits along Glenn's Creek, a site with a distilling history stretching back to the early 1800s.

What foods pair well with Five-Malt Stouted Mash? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and malt notes directly. Pecan pie mirrors the toasted nut and toffee character. Aged Gouda or Gruyère matches the whiskey's weight and sweetness. Smoked brisket works against the roasted malt backbone. Orange-glazed duck picks up the citrus and spice threads.

What sizes does Five-Malt Stouted Mash come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, consistent with other Woodford Reserve Master's Collection editions.

Is Five-Malt Stouted Mash worth the price? It positions as a premium limited-edition release within the Master's Collection line, which typically commands higher prices than core Woodford Reserve expressions. The 93-point score from Whisky Advocate and "Master" medal from Whiskey Magazine support its standing among serious collectors and malt whiskey enthusiasts.

Why Five-Malt Stouted Mash?

The five-malt mashbill — featuring pale chocolate malt, Carafa 1 malt, and kiln coffee malt alongside distillers malt and wheat malt — has no real parallel in American whiskey production. That grain bill, combined with Woodford Reserve's unusual triple pot still distillation, produces a whiskey that bridges two worlds: the roasted depth of a well-made stout and the refined oak-aged character of Kentucky malt whiskey. Backed by a 93-point rating from Whisky Advocate, this is not a novelty experiment but a fully realized expression. For drinkers who have explored the standard Woodford Reserve range and want something that genuinely breaks new ground, the Five-Malt Stouted Mash delivers on its promise.