This is my first bar pour review. Mostly because a bar is not the place to be anti-social with the company I’m with and take notes. I rather take my time at home and wait until I’ve had at least three pours over a week or two to suss it out. This weekend I was in a bar in Vermont and noticed a bottle behind the bar that I’ve been hesitant to buy but wanting to try. As soon as I put my nose to the glass my anti-social bar excuse went out the door. Next thing I knew I was typing notes with my phone and trying not to look like too much of a dork while taking a pic of the bottle. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Willett, is it’s a very divisive brand. The main issue is usually related to very high prices for the cask strength single barrels (Purple tops) and other expressions (looking at you Willett Wheated). The other is its profile. The Willett Small Batch rye I’m reviewing sells for around $70 to $80. Let’s get to it.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 5 minutes.
Distillery:Willett Distillery.
Proof: 111.6
Age: 4 Years
Mash bill: Blend of 74% Rye/11% Corn/15% Malted Barley & 51% Rye/34% Corn/15% Malted Barley.
Price: Retail $60 to $70.
Appearance: Light golden amber.
Nose
I’m instantly impressed with rich notes of rye bread, caramel, cocoa, orange peel, cloves, dill, subtle baking slice, oak barrel char. Love this nose!
Palate
Medium oily mouthfeel. Chocolate, crème brûlée, clove, dill, orange citrus, baking spice and oak. There is very good coverage of baking spice on the palate, and the overall balance is excellent. I’m thoroughly enjoying this very unique and delicious profile that drinks way below its proof.
Finish
Subtle baking spice lingers in the cheeks and back palate. Caramel, coco, and cloves join soft oak tannins which last to create a very subtle but enjoyable and long finish.
Conclusion
As you may have noticed, I enjoyed this pour, a lot. This bottle has a fantastic and very unique profile that I haven’t quite experienced in any other rye. At the bar I rated this pour as an objective 6.5 but my later recollection of how much I loved it wants to give it a 7. As much as I loved this Willett Small Batch 4 year rye, it’s time to reel in my enthusiasm and get objective. I believe age is the most obvious factor that contributed to its lack of overall complexity and the very subtle finish. Being cask strength the proof in these batches vary a bit, but I don’t know how much variation there is in the flavor profile from batch to batch? At some point I’ll buy a bottle and find out for myself.
Rating: 6.7/10.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
