Just as the pandemic started gaining steam in the US and just as Minnesota was entering our lockdown phase, I finally decided to get off my butt, hop in the truck, and drop off a few of the whiskey samples for a buddy of mine. Talk about waiting until the last minute.
I left them on his front porch and in return he left something for me. It was a perfectly socially distanced exchange as we waved at each other through the windows. I had included a few of the more interesting items that I had picked up since we had last gotten together along with some of the fun things that producers had sent my way. He included a couple of samples of things he’d picked up along with two bottles of Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye. He’d warned me that he was including “something that might inspire a trip to the store for a vertical tasting.”
To say I was shocked at two full bottles being in my sample bag was an understatement, but all I can say is that I really do have the best friends.
Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye, 2-year old
Purchase info: This was a very generous gift from a good friend. Guessing it had been sitting in his collection since it was first released.
Details: 55.7% ABV. Two years old.
Nose: Cinnamon candies, orange zest, and cedar
Mouth: Cedar, orange zest, toffee, ginger
Finish: Medium length with lingering notes of "orange slice" jelly candies, cinnamon, and hints of cedar wood.
Thoughts: Very bright and energetic. Spice, citrus, and cedar throughout. I originally reviewed this way back in 2014. At the time, I thought it needed to more time to age, but these days, I’m ok with the bright energetic flavor of it. In fact, I really enjoyed it. It’s fun to see how our tastes evolve when you’ve had over half a decade between tastings of a product.
Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye, 3-year old
Purchase info: This was a very generous gift from a good friend. Guessing it had been sitting in his collection since it was first released.
Details: 55.2% ABV. Three years old.
Nose: Toffee, cinnamon, orange zest, and cedar
Mouth: Cinnamon candies, "orange slice" jelly candies, toffee, Cedar, and a nutty note.
Finish: Long and warm with lingering nutty notes. Cinnamon and cedar with hints of dark chocolate.
Thoughts: You can definitely tell this started as the same whiskey. This is a lot sweeter as the sweet barrel notes are influencing the orange to make it more candy-like.
Willett Family Estate Bottled Small Batch Rye, 4-year old
Purchase info: $47.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine, Burnsville, MN
Price per Drink (50mL): $3.20
Details: 55% ABV. Four years old.
Nose: Dark Chocolate, toffee, cinnamon, and cedar
Mouth: Cedar, cinnamon candies, dark chocolate, toffee, and hints of mint
Finish: Long and warm with lots of cinnamon and cedar, some dark chocolate, and just hints of orange.
Thoughts: I found it interesting how by four-years-old the orange notes are practically non-existent. I'm getting just hints of them at the tail end of the finish. It is also interesting how that cedar note intensified.
In fact, the cedar was one of the dominant flavors throughout the vertical. If you are like my wife and you do not like that flavor, you won't like these. If you like it then you should pick up a bottle. Me? I don't love it, but I don't mind it either. It’s not my favorite rye whiskey note, but it is one I have enjoyed on more than one occasion.
Weirdly, I actually think the four-year-old is actually my least favorite of the bunch. Contrary to my 2014 assessment, maybe it didn’t need time to “grow up.” Compared to the brightness of the 2-year-old, the current 4-year-old feels muted. In fact, I actually prefer to blend the three rather than drinking any of them alone. The base of the four year old brings richness while the addition of the 2-year-old adds a bit of liveliness to the whiskey that I really enjoy.
Overall, as with many ryes, I’ll probably use these in cocktails more than I will neat. I like them but, I think I might have some blending to do in the near future so that I like them even more.
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