Woodford Reserve Releases “Chocolate Malt Whisper” Bourbon

Woodford Reserve just released a new, limited-edition bottle they are calling “a happy accident” at the distillery that ended up producing bourbon with a whisper of chocolate notes.

The result was what’s described by the brand as a unique whiskey that features a medley of dark chocolate, cocoa and roasted coffee flavors with fruity and citrus notes.

Woodford’s Chocolate Malt Whisper is a Kentucky straight bourbon that was produced immediately after the production of the spirit that was later released as the 2019 Master’s Collection edition, Chocolate Malted Rye.

Chocolate Malt Whisper Bourbon (image via Woodford Reserve)

Some of the flavor notes from that Malted Rye carried over in the distillate of the next batch of bourbon. It influenced the flavor profile, resulting in a bourbon that had a “whisper” of roasted chocolate notes.

“Sometimes unforeseen developments occur in the distillery that result in great flavors,” said Woodford’s Master Distiller Chris Morris in a prepared statement. “This is one of those cases.”

Chocolate Malt Whisper is part of Woodford Reserve’s annual Distillery Series, which Morris and his team developed to push the distillery’s creative boundaries of whiskey.

Each selection in the series is concocted by Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall, and each is available for purchase at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and limited Kentucky retailers. There are three annual releases of the distillery series.

Chocolate Malt Whisper Bourbon is available in 375ml bottles and clocks in at 90.4 proof. It’s available for the suggested retail price of $49.99. 

Official tasting notes are below.

• Color: Orange chocolate
• Aroma: A medley of dark chocolate, dusty cocoa and roasted coffee beans brightened with a hint of citrus oil and mint.
• Flavor: Smoky roasted cocoa, vanilla beans and dark chocolate sweetened with a very slight drizzle of caramel atop faint fruit and citrus notes.
• Finish: Lingers like a chocolate brittle walnut fudge brownie.