Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye 4 Year

My favorite rye, spicy, smooth

I am extremely happy to have found a liquor store nearby that almost always has this in stock so that I can as well. This has always been a top 3 whiskey for me. Nose is sweet and light. Caramel and honey. This pretty potent rye is very smooth. Up front taste of the mineral water used and dill. Dill is the sneaky constant undertone. Moderate oak in the middle along with warm apple cinnamon. Keeping the fall night profile going, it finishes like a toasted marshmallow. Still a favorite!

Reviewing a 108 proof bottle. Immediately on the nose I am able to recognize this as a willett product - that incredibly distinct cinnamon/walnut scent greets you, with some added woody-ness and a tinge of dill. Palate differs almost completely from the nose - incredibly sweet and fruity with some hints of vanilla - very tasty. The finish is where the classic walnut and cinnamon Willett flavors return for a surprisingly long (but also spicy) finish. The finish ends with a last kick of dill and a jab of spice. This drinks right at proof for me, which is somewhat surprising given the young age of it. I would prefer more wood, and an older version of this would likely be even better. Value for money is where this product really falters. Yes, for all the reasons mentioned above, it is a tasty dram. But $70, for any product including this one, seems excessive. The closest comparison in proof and quality for this would be Russel's Reserve Rye ($55) and Pikesville ($55), both of which are 50% older. Admittedly, very different flavor profiles, as this brings big spice - but many 95/5 MGP ryes offer the spice, proof, and age for less. Overall - tasty, but not sure I'll pick up another bottle of it.

Has been my daily sipper. Extremely sweet and pleasant rye

My bottle is 54.8%, small batch, so slightly(?) different than this. I couldn't find one here that matched exactly.