Whipper Snapper Wheatbelt Series Wheat Whiskey

Nose: Resembles apple juice, red apple skin, porridge with a bit of honey, early-stage fermented wash, newly mown grass, and sweet hay. This aroma is more subtle and delicate compared to the distillery's single malt. Palate: The initial taste is sweet for a moment before abruptly shifting to a harsh, dry character. Grains are the dominant flavor, with a notably spicy base (caraway, fennel) accompanied by a minty, menthol sensation and morello cherry. The mouthfeel is slick, yet a sharp acidity cuts through it. Adding a splash of water significantly enhances both the flavor profile and the texture. Finish: Moderate length. Grain flavors and minty spices recede into a tart cherry. This is the second sample from Whipper Snapper I recently obtained, and it's quite similar to a rye whisky, but with brighter spices. I once expected wheat whiskies to be sweeter and milder than rye whiskies, but the opposite is actually true. This spirit has a rye-like profile but lacks the deeper notes; if an average rye were a baritone, this would be a tenor. Like the distillery's single malt, I appreciated the scents but wasn't as impressed with the taste. The nose is light and fragrant, but the palate asserts its youth with somewhat piercing tones. Similar to the single malt, it leans much more towards a rye character than I would have anticipated. I was originally going to score this 75/100, but after adding a bit of water, I raised the score to 77, placing it above "average." Then, on a whim, I used the remaining un-watered portion of the tasting sample to make a Manhattan, which seemed fitting given its rye-like qualities. The result was surprisingly excellent, yielding a very refreshing and crisp drink. This led me to add two more points to the score. I believe this whisky truly shines when used as a mixer, but unfortunately, at its price point, it becomes a very costly cocktail ingredient. Note: I mistakenly posted this initially under the "Whipper Snapper Wheat Whiskey" listing but discovered it's a different product with a higher alcohol content, so I've created a new entry. I am grateful to a friend for a comment on the prior review that prompted me to investigate and identify the mistake. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Average": 79/100 (2.75 stars)