Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 22 Explores the Impact of Super Seasoned Oak

Woodford Reserve Pushes Barrel Maturation Further with Latest Release.

Woodford Reserve is exploring the impact of extended oak seasoning with the release of Master’s Collection No. 22: Super Seasoned Oak, the latest installment in the distillery’s experimental whiskey series. Announced September 3, 2026, the 22nd Master’s Collection release focuses on how prolonged outdoor exposure of American oak barrel staves can influence the flavor and structure of mature Kentucky bourbon.

Under the direction of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, Super Seasoned Oak takes a different approach to barrel maturation by focusing on the seasoning process that occurs before the oak is fashioned into bourbon barrels. Traditional bourbon barrels typically use white oak staves that have been seasoned outdoors for several months to approximately one year, while the barrels used for this release feature staves exposed to the elements for five to seven years.

Five to Seven Years of Oak Seasoning

The extended weathering process is intended to transform the characteristics of the oak before it ever comes into contact with bourbon. According to Woodford Reserve, prolonged exposure to the elements reduces harsher green tannins, opens the wood grain and helps develop concentrated sugars within the oak.

Woodford Reserve compares the process to the seasoning of a cast-iron skillet, where repeated exposure and use can contribute additional depth and character. In Super Seasoned Oak, the distillery says the extended stave seasoning contributes layers of spice, toasted sweetness and dark fruit to the mature bourbon.

A Richer, More Structured Bourbon Profile

The result is designed to demonstrate how barrel construction and oak preparation can influence a whiskey’s character as significantly as the maturation period itself. McCall described the release as an exploration of how extended outdoor wood exposure and precise barrel craftsmanship can create an intensely rich and deeply structured bourbon.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 22: Super Seasoned Oak is bottled at 100.4 proof and packaged in 700mL bottles. As with previous Master’s Collection releases, the expression is positioned as a limited offering for bourbon collectors and enthusiasts interested in experimental approaches to whiskey production.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 22 Release Details

Super Seasoned Oak is available beginning September 3, 2026, in limited quantities at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and select Kentucky retailers. The release carries a suggested retail price of $179.99 for a 700mL bottle. It is also available for shipping through Woodford Reserve’s online store to Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Nebraska and Washington, D.C.