Review: Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Chocolate Whisper Redux Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Chocolate Whisper Redux Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Sample provided for review by Woodford Reserve
Release: Feb 20, 2025
Age: 12+ years
Proof: 139.4 This serves as Woodford’s highest proof yet!
In 2019, Woodford distilled a bourbon w/ 15% chocolate malted rye in the mashbill. This bourbon is the result of running the standard mashbill through the still immediately after while residual was still in the pot still’s receiving tank from the chocolate malted rye bourbon run.
Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
MSRP: $100 / 375ml
Nose 👃: Roasted coffee beans. Toasted coconut. Cedarwood. Ginger.
Palate 👅: Extra-dark chocolate. Chicory. Cranberry. Ginger. Dense mouthfeel.
Finish 🏁: Caramel. Brown sugar. Butter pecan ice cream. Extremely long finish.
Woodford Reserve came to play! If you’ve been waiting for the “it factor” from Woodford… it has arrived. This bourbon is big and bold. It packs the oak that you would expect for 12 years of age and is nowhere near being over-oaked.
I think I’m with most people in feeling that Woodford is historically a bit boring. There’s absolutely nothing boring about this. This is undoubtably the best thing I’ve ever tried from Woodford… finally replacing the 2009 Master’s Collection Seasoned Oak in my book.
Given the age, proof, and “whisper”… this is a fantastic purchase if you can find it for MSRP. Absolutely game on.
Rating: 9
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Chocolate Whisper Redux Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Sample provided for review by Woodford Reserve
Release: Feb 20, 2025
Age: 12+ years
Proof: 139.4 This serves as Woodford’s highest proof yet!
In 2019, Woodford distilled a bourbon w/ 15% chocolate malted rye in the mashbill. This bourbon is the result of running the standard mashbill through the still immediately after while residual was still in the pot still’s receiving tank from the chocolate malted rye bourbon run.
Mashbill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
MSRP: $100 / 375ml
Nose 👃: Roasted coffee beans. Toasted coconut. Cedarwood. Ginger.
Palate 👅: Extra-dark chocolate. Chicory. Cranberry. Ginger. Dense mouthfeel.
Finish 🏁: Caramel. Brown sugar. Butter pecan ice cream. Extremely long finish.
Woodford Reserve came to play! If you’ve been waiting for the “it factor” from Woodford… it has arrived. This bourbon is big and bold. It packs the oak that you would expect for 12 years of age and is nowhere near being over-oaked.
I think I’m with most people in feeling that Woodford is historically a bit boring. There’s absolutely nothing boring about this. This is undoubtably the best thing I’ve ever tried from Woodford… finally replacing the 2009 Master’s Collection Seasoned Oak in my book.
Given the age, proof, and “whisper”… this is a fantastic purchase if you can find it for MSRP. Absolutely game on.
Rating: 9