FEW Immortal Rye

Very nice. After opening up for a week, the tea note is stinger. A bit of an alcohol burn but a nice whiskey overall.

Partially blind tasting, two bottles were selected for me from my sample collection - likely due to both having a very dark colour (Few and a single barrel from Shelter Point). While close in colour, I quickly moved this comparison to a world whisky rye. The nose is pleasant and inviting and the botanical, eucalyptus notes made me think of a gin first and, knowing I have no gin, I poured Millstone 100 Rye. The Few nose has sweetness and an eucalyptus, pine influence that is softened by the tea. Side by side you can see the similarities between Few and the Millstone. The finish is medium and length and spice with that lingering taste (hui gan) that tea leaves behind. Is it good, yes, and it is not a Lot 40 type rye, it is definitely has a more botanical taste. The tea influence is interesting. If you have, and enjoy, a bottle of Millstone 100 this one is worth a try.

Super interesting bitter herbal notes from the tea, but with a nice rye finish. Aftertaste almost Malört-ish in a good way

What a solid rye. Very impressed by this. The palate is very approachable and not punchy or too hot at all. In the nose, you can immediately catch the influence of the Eight Immortals tea as it's layered well over a familiar baking spice nose and adds some depth. In the palate, it begins soft and light. I described it as "fluffy" to others. This gives way immediately to the hint of tea that compliments the rye incredibly well and adds some darker notes without the bitterness that sometimes accompanies them. This then fades to the familiar cinnamon note with the warmth of the whisky coming forward at this point and hangs through the finish which is medium in length. This whiskey may not be crazy complex but the addition of the tea has made this a fun, unique experience on top of a far too easy to drink rye. I would use this to introduce people to the possibilities of rye whiskey for sure.