Woodford Reserve® Master Collection Chocolate Malted Rye

Woodford Reserve releases a special edition of their Woodford Reserve twice a year which is called their Master’s Collection. This was the second release of 2019. Traditionally, Chris Morris, Brown-Forman’s Master Distiller has the spring release be a high proof or barrel strength and the fall release is focused on creativity and experimentation, hence this one being Chocolate Malted Rye. One thing to note about the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection is that they are historically hit and miss. We’ve had the chance to try a few of them and some are great and others not so much. The chocolate flavoring comes from the rye malt being roasted to a point where the natural sugars caramelized into a chocolate-like flavor.

NOSE: As soon as you take a sniff you’re greeted with sweet vanilla, rich caramel, toasted almond, and some semi-sweet chocolate that was freshly made. After the sweet notes dance around for a bit the whiskey hints at some oak but it is young oak. The nose is quite light on this whiskey and underdeveloped due to the low proof. (17/25)