Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye 4 Year

One of the best 4 years and my favorite rye, dinner spices and a touch of sweetness, just enough heat!

Color: Burnt orange. Nose: Menthol, cherry pie filling, herbal mint, and fresh lemon. A little wood polish on the end. Palate: Cherries! Heavy cinnamon and spicy gingerbread. Citrus underneath, more orange than lemon, with some chewy leather. Finish: Hot and spicy, but pretty short. Almost abrupt. It gets on you fast and then it's by you. While it's there, though, more of the traditional rye/baking spices. With water: Really brings the fruit forward on both the nose and palate, much more discernable orange. Almost a maltier character. Like a fruity, spicy Speyside.

I'm usually a stickler when it comes to these ratings but this is easily my favorite rye I've had. First taste was of tea and then black pepper so a nice mild then spicy flavor. The end taste is fruity like apricots. The nose is mild but fruity.

(Tasting the 112.4 proof) Very floral nose. Hint of mint at the end too. Mint on the palate hits you in the face and lingers long into the finish. Some sweeter honey and maple syrup notes develop towards the back to balance it out. Nice long hug. I love it.