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Willett 4yo Single Cask Straight Rye Whiskey

Barrel No. 27A; bottle 105/180

0 290

@NockReview by @Nock

1st Oct 2013

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    90

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I bought this bottle in August at Myrtle Beach for $33 . . . there were two bottle left on the shelf and I should have bought them both. This is fantastic for only $33! The bottle has been below the half way mark since 8/4/2013. The review was done 9/23/2013.

Nose: Smoked BBQ greets the nose! WAY more intense then the Bulleit – if Bulleit is a whole step more intense then the Sazerac then the Willett is a half step more intense then the Bulleit. Obviously, the juice is from the same place as the Bulleit (LDI). That said, this has a much lower tone across the board. With a little time and air this is becoming very velvety and refined while having tons of power. Dark wood is coming through along with a bit of brown sugar, cherries, and mellow apple cider in the background along with sea salt brine. There is also a little sour lemon with some really intense dark fruits like prunes. Even though this is only 4 years old it feels like the big brother to the Bulleit. My guess on the nose would have been 8-10yo. Crazy. Still it is much sharper then the Sazerac. Feels like a different animal all together.

Taste: Sweetness, sharp rye, and lemon rind: corn and wood. Now the mouth is devoid of all moisture! Actually, not all that exciting or interesting. Very intense rye.

Finish: Big wave of salt . . . now a few little waves coming in. This is totally my experience of the ocean at Myrtle Beach (where I bought and consumed half of this bottle). Surprisingly woody compared to the other two (Bulleit and Sazerac) but still super Rye forward. Very long . . . and it is still going. Lovely indeed. This is lovely Rye with power and tons of salt, sweet and sour notes.

Complexity, Balance: Very complex in certain regards. It has that thing that old Bourbons have after 10 years in wood. It is much more mellowed then the Bulleit (but also more powerful and intense). And the balance is lovely across the board.

Aesthetic experience: The Willett label is elegant enough with the coat of arms. I like it – and all the info about the bottle and barrel. I also like the ABV (but wish it were true cask strength, who knows maybe 55% is just that . . . somehow I doubt it.

Conclusion: I bought this bottle for $1 more then I can buy Bulleit and $3 more then I can buy Sazerac here in Virginia. For that price this is the clear winner of the night (price to quality).

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2 comments

@Cardinal
Cardinal commented

Big fan of the Willett's Ryes , I have had several different bottles from different barrels . Very consistent and very good. Alway have one in my cabinet.

10 years ago 0

@Cardinal
Cardinal commented

Let me say all the Willett Ryes I have had are the young LDI rye 4 and 5 years old.

10 years ago 0

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