To celebrate the upcoming Valentine’s Day, Woodford Reserve has partnered with award-winning chocolatier Phillip Ashley Chocolates to showcase the harmonious pairing between Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon and chocolate.
The twice-barreled Bourbon is known for its rich flavor profile full of sweet aromatic flavor notes, making it the perfect Whiskey for Valentine’s Day. To highlight those flavors, Woodford Reserve Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall designed a tasting guide that includes three different chocolate pairings that will accentuate specific characteristics of the Whiskey: white chocolate, milk chocolate with almond, and sea salt dark chocolate.
To bring this experience to a new level, the Kentucky distillery partnered with Phillip Ashley Rix, a renowned Memphis, Tennessee chef, who specializes in crafting custom-made chocolates. He created four confections specifically to be paired with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.
“Chef Phillip is a true master. He did an extraordinary job bringing all of the flavors found in Woodford Reserve Double Oaked to life,” McCall said. “By focusing on the non-sweet aromatic notes in the bourbon – wood, grain, spice, and fruit and floral – he provides an elegant way to train the palate to taste these nuances.”
Phillip Ashley’s Double Oaked-inspired offerings are hand-painted in beautiful jewel tones, and include: white chocolate with a strawberry smashed, milk chocolate with orange and vanilla bean, blonde chocolate with caramel apple finished with sea salt, and a maple-infused dark chocolate.
The chocolates will be used in special Bourbon tasting events around the country. A limited number will be sold at Woodford Reserve Distillery in February along with a special Double Oaked and chocolate tasting experience.
Additionally, Woodford Reserve will launch a sweepstakes on the brand’s Instagram page to give away two boxes of Phillip Ashley chocolates to 20 winners. The winners will also be invited to an exclusive private virtual tasting experience with McCall and Rix.
“Woodford Reserve Double Oaked has long been a favorite drink of mine,” Chef Ashley said. “These chocolates I created highlight the incredible flavors in the bourbon and transform the tasting experience.”
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon is available nationwide and global markets for the price of $54.99 per 750ml bottle and can also be purchased via Drizly.
Sounds like a great pairing: chocolate and Bourbon!
Yum!