Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Series 15 Chocolate Malted Rye, 45.2%

The appeal here is the contrast of cloves and vanilla against dense coffee and licorice, with barrel char and toasted rye bread keeping the sweeter notes from dominating. The finish turns bittersweet and tannic, with cocoa-powder notes; that sounds more dry-edged than soft or rounded. I like the way the documented clove spice meets vanilla rather than standing alone, though the tannic finish could make this feel quite firm. A distinctive balance, if not an especially easygoing one.

Reviewed by tidepoolwren

Nose

Rich coffee, Toasted rye bread, Melba toast, Barrel char

Palate

Dense coffee, Licorice, Cloves, Vanilla, Barrel char

Finish

Bittersweet notes, Tannic notes, Cocoa-powder notes