Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye 4 Year

As a dedicated rye enthusiast, I've enjoyed it since before its surge in popularity. I appreciate the fruity-spicy blend it can offer. The depth and range of flavors found in rye are rivaled only by the vast variety in barley malt whiskey... and even then... This isn't my initial bottle of this spirit. I was given a bottle of this particular expression several years ago. I remember liking it, but not enough to purchase it again. Seeing several cases at my local Costco was too tempting. Tasted here neat from a grappa copita alongside black coffee. This is a favorite combination of mine. On the nose, it presents all the classic rye characteristics. It's sweet with caramel, wood notes, hard candy (butterscotch and toffee), nougat, and black pepper. On the palate, this is rich and creamy. I detect Juicy Fruit gum, black pepper, wood tannins, creamy caramel, dill, grass, and sweet cream. This is very easy to sip and is nicely intricate. There's very little ethanol, although this still has a kick. It's a rock in a velvet glove. It conceals its 107+ proof exceptionally well without being overpowering like WTRBrye or KCSBrye can be. Very good and a wonderful sipper, it makes a fantastic Manhattan when paired with a suitable vermouth. Vya sweet wasn't a good match, but my reliable Cocchi di Torino integrated easily. Carpano was a bit too intense, and the character of this rye was lost. A Perfect Manhattan with a 50/50 blend of Dolin Dry and M&R sweet in a 2:1 ratio with a couple dashes of Angostura was nearly perfect (see what I did there?) served up. Overall, this is more suited for sipping than for cocktails. While good in any application, it faces very stiff competition from brands like Elijah Craig and Wild Turkey at considerably lower price points. I'm pleased I bought the bottle, but I'm uncertain if I'll repurchase it with the abundance of aged ryes now entering the market. At $55, it's not a bargain, but it's a quality bottle.

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Minty and medicinal. Lacking sweetness. Palate: Spicy and vegetal with notes of clove, baking spices, and a peppery touch. Finish: Medium warmth, but quite extended. Splash: With the spicier notes subdued, a distinctly vegetal character emerges, reminiscent of asparagus, but in an appealing way. Overall: 7.5/10 - This is not the highly sought-after Willet. It's their entry-level rye, potentially showcasing what makes them unique. While distinct, I'm uncertain about its suitability for daily consumption.

I initially disliked this. My palate doesn't instinctively favor rye like it does bourbon. However, after a day or two, I really enjoyed it. It's sweet, has an amazing oily mouthfeel, with that mild astringency and green/grassy flavors that are characteristic of rye. I'm really glad I ended up trying it. Also, I'm in an area that never has Willett, so it seems the hype has died down because this was at my local store!

A viscous texture with a prominent spicy, herbal, and subtly minty note, accented by hints of vanilla, oak, and faint caramel. This is a fine rye whiskey for someone on their second or third encounter with rye, but I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction. Compared to high-rye bourbon, this whiskey shifts the focus away from bourbon and amplifies the heat and spice. Cheers!

Nose: Mint, bright brown sugar, citrus, and a hint if cinnamon. Taste: Anise, dill, vanilla, pepper, and apple towards the very back end. Long lasting finish. Overall: similar to my rye reviews, I found the nose much more intriguing than the pallet. The nose showed much sweeter flavors as the taste was much more spice forward. I still would reccomend this whiskey.

This is a regular for me. It's fairly high proof (108.5), but having a glass or two of this in the evening is a great way to relax. Lots of sweetness and oak on the nose, with hints of spices. The palate has abundant spice with a touch of green tea. The finish is almost entirely spice with a bit of oak and cherry coming through. It's always a worthwhile purchase for me.