Millstone 4 Year Old 2014 92 Rye Whisky

Millstone is the name of the whisky marketed by the Zuidam Distillery. The Dutch distillery in Baarle-Nassau is currently run by Patrick Van Zuidam who, as Master Distiller, has produced quite a few gems. But I have to admit that this is only the 4th Millstone that I try. Thanks to my buddy Manny I got a hold of this 92 Rye Whisky. Make no mistake, the number does not refer to the percentage of rye in the mash bill, but to the ABV. 92 Proof equals 46% ABV. It was distilled on 3 January 2014 and bottled on 1 March 2018 and thus is 4 years old.

The nose is quite fun. Reminds me of typical American rye at first, but if you give it some time and attention, you’ll find that it goes a lot further. I get caramel, brown bread, candied oranges, lemon zest, vanilla, cloves and cinnamon and a lovely note of manuka honey. But then it happens: a note of Vicks Vaporub, Kraska furniture polish and cuberdons. Nice!

The arrival gave me a bit of a scare, though, for it is piquant and immediately very dry. Almost as if it is not a liquid, if you know what I mean. Dry and dusty. A strange sensation. Once the saliva glands get to work you’ll taste the oak and rye that offer up a nice spiciness (think nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon) and only midpalate does a sweet note appear. But there is hardly any of the fruit left.

In the medium long – very dry – finish, the spices reign supreme.

The nose was very pleasant, but it became too dry on the palate. Thx, Manny.