Willett Family Estate Bottled 2 Year Straight Rye

Lots of spice notes coming through, including cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and even hotter notes like cumin. Dark chocolate, espresso bean, can also be found on the nose. An interesting background of freshly cute pine and mint are also evident throughout. The heat from the cask strength offering coupled with the lively spice profile is instantly warming. The pine notes are present on the tip of the tongue, with a touch of mint and chocolate malt mingling with the other spice flavors. Finishes bold and long. The spice, including licorice / anise persist longer than the pine and mint notes, with the grip and grit of a 2 year old rye providing rich tannins throughout the finish. To some whiskey critics, the 2- to 3-year old window for rye whiskey gives rise to some of the best rye. The Willett 2 year rye provides a tone of flavor and aromas, in near perfect combination; its bold aromas are matched by a cask strength bottling at 110.8 proof.

I generally like to poop on Willett because their pricing is about as silly as how intentionally mysterious their products are, but I don't mind this all that much. It's about what you would expect from a two year rye and, apart from being too expensive--which is to be expected--this is pretty decent. Looking forward to the coming years that will hopefully allow them to price these things accordingly, fancy coat of arms be damned.