NOTE: We also reviewed the Fried Pickle Ranch Whopper and Mexican Street Corn Whopper
I might’ve been the only person in the world who REALLY enjoyed Burger King’s Candied Bacon Whopper, which came out earlier this year. It was the sweetest burger I’ve ever had, which is saying a lot because I’ve eaten a Carl’s Jr. burger with a pineapple on it. So it’s not surprising that I also REALLY enjoy the new and equally as sweet Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper that’s part of the fast food chain’s Million Dollar Whopper Contest.
The burger comes with a 1/4 lb flame-grilled beef patty, maple bourbon BBQ sauce, crispy onions, crispy jalapeños, smoky maple candied bacon, and American cheese on a sesame seed bun. If left out in the open with the top bun off, it would look appealing to birds looking for a turnkey nest because of the satisfying helping of crispy onion and jalapeño pieces, which also give the Whopper some crunch.
After taking a few bites of my burger, I thought it didn’t have the crispy jalapeños because I didn’t detect any heat. But after picking up a few of the fried strings that had fallen out of my Whopper and tasting them, I noticed some of them had a faint kick. However, even after eating several of them with every bite, I wouldn’t consider this anywhere near spicy. And that makes me sad because I really wanted to repeatedly use the word “swicy” in this review.
Instead, the best portmanteau I would like to use over and over again to describe this burger is “savoreet.” While the beef patty, crispy onions, crispy jalapeños, and cheese give this a noticeable savoriness, this Whopper leans more on the maple side, thanks to the abundant BBQ sauce and candied bacon. However, the crispy onions and jalapeños don’t have bold flavors like their fresh versions. Instead, they create an appreciated nondescript savoriness that helps cut through the sweetness. The bacon’s smokiness and saltiness are there but aren’t as noticeable as its maple flavor, which adds to the BBQ sauce’s sweetness. But all that sugary goodness creates a Whopper that I find tastier than the other two contest finalists. Also, that sweetness makes me wonder what this would taste like if the sesame seed bun was replaced with Liège-style waffles.
I imagine some might find the Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper to be saccharine or don’t like the idea of a sweet Whopper at all, but I love its savoreetness, and it’s got my vote for the Million Dollar Whopper Contest. Even though I’d be surprised if it won.
Purchased Price: $9.99
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 880 calories, 45 grams of fat, 17 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 115 milligrams of cholesterol, 1460 milligrams of sodium, 78 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 26 grams of sugar, and 41 grams of protein.