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

New charred oak is the clear cask detail, and the notes take a pleasingly dark turn: coffee and barrel char lead into licorice and cloves, with vanilla offering a softer counterpoint. The finish stays bittersweet and tannic, with cocoa powder rather than a sweet flourish. That gives this Woodford Reserve a distinct shape, though the drier ending may not suit anyone hoping for an easy, dessert-like rye. A lively set of contrasts, with enough bite to keep it interesting.

Reviewed by TeacupCloud

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