Dry Fly Specialty Barrel Straight Peated Wheat Whiskey

DRY FLY DISTILLING PEATED WHEAT SINGLE BARREL #560 (8YR BARREL PROOF) 141.6 PROOF *NOSE: Less heat than expected for 142 proof. Notes of wheat bread, straw, cedar, black tea, barnyard, light sweetness, and licorice. The peat is very subtle, if present. *NEAT: Thick and clinging. Before the 142 proof hits, the initial note is mild peat, followed by a general maple-like sweetness with slightly bitter tannins and a very long, warming finish. It leaves the palate coated with a thick, medicinal sensation (reminiscent of Robitussin). It's good, but needs water to reveal more complexity. *SPLASH: Surprisingly increases the heat on the nose but reduces it on the palate. It still packs a punch, but now notes of butterscotch, wheat bread, hay, cedar, cocoa, and unsweetened tea are detectable. The medicinal finish is lessened and combined with the barnyard aroma. The peat starts very subtly (unrecognizable in a blind tasting), but as you continue drinking, flashes of it appear, and a menthol/camphor note develops on the aftertaste, confirming its presence. *VERDICT: Unique with some excellent flavors. The cask strength is appreciated (though 142 seems excessive), and the lack of chill filtering allows for personal adjustment. It offers good value at $60 and has made me curious about their other products.