Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned 100ML

Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned 100ML is a ready-to-drink cocktail blending chocolate-infused Kentucky whiskey with classic Old Fashioned flavors at 30% ABV in a 100ml bottle. Produced by Saloon Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, the Ballotin line has earned recognition including a Platinum award at the SIP Awards and a Gold Medal with 91 points from Best Tasting Spirits.

Quick Facts: ABV: 30%  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky  |  Ready-to-Drink Cocktail  |  Producer: Saloon Spirits

Production & Heritage

Saloon Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky builds the Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned on a light whiskey base distilled from a traditional bourbon mash of at least 51% corn, rounded out with wheat and barley. That whiskey is aged for two years in used oak barrels — a deliberate choice, as the milder character of previously filled barrels allows the infused chocolate and cocktail flavors to take center stage rather than competing with heavy char and new-oak tannins. The result is a portable, pre-mixed take on the Old Fashioned that channels cocoa-rich whiskey into a format designed for convenience without sacrificing depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Cocoa leads the nose, followed by soft vanilla, a whisper of oak, and a subtle citrus note reminiscent of orange peel. Nutty undertones round out the bouquet, suggesting pecan pie or roasted almonds.

Taste: The entry is smooth and chocolate-forward, with chocolate fudge and caramel flavors meeting the palate immediately. Mid-palate, gentle bourbon spice and roasted nut flavors emerge, while a controlled sweetness keeps the blend from veering into dessert territory. The whiskey backbone asserts itself underneath, providing structure.

Finish: Medium in length with a gently warming fade. Lingering notes of peanut butter, honey, and warm chocolate close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned

The 100ml format is designed for grab-and-go convenience — pour it over a single large ice cube or enjoy it straight from the bottle at a comfortable chill. Because it arrives pre-mixed, no additional preparation is required, though a garnish of orange peel enhances the citrus notes already present.

• Chocolate Espresso Martini: Combine with cold espresso and a splash of coffee liqueur for a rich after-dinner sipper where the cocoa and coffee amplify each other.
• Mexican Hot Chocolate: Stir into warm milk with a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne — the whiskey's chocolate profile folds seamlessly into the spiced cocoa.
• Chocolate Manhattan riff: Add a half-ounce of sweet vermouth and a dash of chocolate bitters to lean into the cocktail's deeper, bittersweet side.

Best For

• Sampling a chocolate whiskey cocktail before committing to a full-size bottle
• Packing a single-serve cocktail for picnics, tailgates, or travel
• Adding to a gift basket or stocking stuffer for whiskey and chocolate fans
• After-dinner sipping when a full cocktail setup isn't practical

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned taste like? It delivers a chocolate-forward profile layered with caramel, roasted nuts, and gentle bourbon spice, finishing with warm cocoa and a touch of honey sweetness.

How does Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned compare to Heritage Distillery Cocoa Bomb? Heritage Cocoa Bomb leans heavily into milk cocoa and marshmallow sweetness, producing a more dessert-driven experience, while Ballotin's offering retains more whiskey character and integrates classic Old Fashioned bitters and citrus elements into its profile.

Is Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned good for beginners? Yes — the 30% ABV is gentler than full-proof whiskey, and the chocolate and caramel flavors make it approachable for drinkers who find straight bourbon too assertive.

Where is Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned made? It is produced and bottled by Saloon Spirits in Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of America's bourbon country.

What foods pair well with Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned? Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa notes; salted caramel brownies complement the caramel undertones; sharp aged cheddar provides a savory contrast; pecan pie mirrors the nutty aromatics; and fresh strawberries cut through the richness with bright acidity.

What sizes does Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned come in? The expression is available in a 100ml single-serve bottle, which is the format reviewed here; Ballotin's broader chocolate whiskey line is also offered in standard 750ml bottles.

Is Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as an accessible, entry-level ready-to-drink cocktail, and the 100ml size makes it a low-risk way to explore the Ballotin chocolate whiskey range before investing in larger formats.

Why Ballotin Chocolate Old Fashioned?

What separates this bottled cocktail from the crowded RTD field is its whiskey foundation — a two-year-aged light whiskey built on a bourbon-style corn-majority mashbill, rather than a neutral spirit. That grain-driven backbone gives the chocolate infusion something substantial to cling to. The Ballotin line's Platinum from the SIP Awards and 91-point Gold from Best Tasting Spirits signal that the flavor engineering holds up to competitive blind evaluation. For anyone curious about chocolate whiskey cocktails but wary of committing to a full bottle, this 100ml format delivers a genuine tasting experience in a single pour.