Fairly an unsual session this time: 5 American whiskeys (bourbon but additionally rye), however solely out there in Europe (properly, Wu Dram Clan and/or Kirsch Import for probably the most half). There are three undisclosed whiskeys in addition to two Willett Household Property ryes.
Indiana Bourbon 8 yo 2015 (49,2%, Wu Dram Clan ‘The Liquid Crew’ 2024)
Nostril: delicate coconut with baked apple and wealthy toffee notes. Then contemporary vanilla and a contact of fig syrup. Not a wooden monster, good. Cinnamon and numerous marzipan sweetness. Some caramelized corn. Gentle whiffs of minty freshness.
Mouth: nonetheless this refined sweetness, on baked bananas, coconut and hints of oranges. Mid-palate some pepper and mint comes out. A light-weight citrusy edge makes it thinner than I anticipated. Then almonds and candied fruit, till a grassy aspect takes over. It will get a tad alcoholic in direction of the tip, however I’m very happy that it’s lean and never too caramelly.
End: medium lengthy, with some (rye) spice and a bit extra wooden, together with cinnamon, almonds and mint.
A balanced bourbon with a high-quality construction, by no means bloated or too candy. One for Scotch drinkers maybe.
Tennessee Bitter Mash 18 yo 2003 (50,8%, Wu Dram Clan & Kirsch Import 2021, cask #12, 156 btl.)
Nostril: much more typical. Extra vanilla sweetness, nougat and hazelnut paste, in addition to candy corn. Cherries and honey, hints of maple syrup. Then mild orange oil, pecan, gingerbread and baked apple, in addition to mild cocoa.
Mouth: the age makes it fairly spicy, totally on nutmeg and clove. That is shortly countered with toffee, espresso sweet and maple syrup. Hints of sandalwood and caraway seeds. Bittersweet woody notes, with rising nutty notes in direction of the tip.
End: lengthy, spicy and nutty, with darkish chocolate, honey, pepper and nutmeg.
Excellent, this. Individuals who know extra about American whiskyey inform me that is George Dickel. Thick, spicy, with closely toasted wooden. Rating: 89/100
Tennessee Straight Bourbon 8 yo 2016 (53,2%, Wu Dram Clan ‘The Liquid Crew’ 2024)
Nostril: extra slim once more, on rye bread, pretty aromatic spice and Seville orange. Extra citrusy over time, in direction of marmalade, with some fairly impartial wooden. Fairly contemporary, however barely restricted improvement.
Mouth: this impartial wooden is changing into extra plankish now, with a barely bitter and aromatic edge. Juniper, liquorice and aniseed. Then extra Seville oranges, mild grassy notes and uncooked grains. After the others this feels a bit impolite.
End: medium size, thinner, with peppery notes and this grassy edge.
I’m probably not getting this one, it feels so completely different from the opposite Tennessee. Rating: 80/100
Willett Household Property Rye 7 yo 2016 (54%, OB 2024, single barrel #2612, 211 btl.)
Nostril: loads of contemporary mint, anise and honey, with candy oak. Rye bread, with citrus and hints of previous leather-based. Gentle tobacco. Then candied orange peels and really mild vanilla. Hints of juniper once more, together with some contemporary oak shavings.
Mouth: citrusy and decidely gin-like. Hints of bergamot, orange and lime peels, heather, unripe peaches and anise. Minty notes, cardamom seeds, hints of juniper berries and wooden (pine) resin. Then blended contemporary herbs and a tart berry word. Virtually a soapy edge as properly. A type of rye I didn’t expertise earlier than.
End: medium size, mixing citrus, pine and ginger.
A peculiar type – I’m undecided which notes originate within the spirit and which come from the wooden. Much less daring than different ryes, however way more aromatic. An attention-grabbing flavour set, little question. Rating: 86/100
Willett Household Property Rye 7 yo 2016 (54,7%, OB for Wu Dram & Kirsch Import 2024, single barrel #2611, 207 btl.)
Nostril: a twin sister. Mint, comfortable varnish, hints of rye bread and comparable hints of leather-based. Then extra oak shavings, aromatic herbs and bitter orange. To me it appears a tad extra wood-driven, with a whiff of vanilla, whereas 2612 was extra on frivolously perfumed spice.
Mouth: just like the above, however once more I’m getting extra oak affect right here. The aromatic spice, citrus peels, crushed herbs… all right here. Additionally a success of ginger and cinchona. Then extra juniper and cardamom. Comparable, only a bit extra woody notes.
End: citrus, pine and ginger certainly. Barely extra earthy and natural within the very finish.
Similar to the earlier one. This was the primary Willett launch unique to Germany since 2007. It’s spicy and woody, however I’m principally impressed by the uniquely aromatic parts. Nonetheless out there in a few German retailers. Rating: 85/100
