Nice one for the price here. Different rye that really challenged me a bit. Usually the dill, vanilla, candied oranges, snickerdoodle cookies, and jellied mint leaves are the players in rye but not in this one so much.
Nose- Fresh cut flowers, especially distinct lilac, fresh "green" pepper corns, a bit of oriental tea just like that pot at a Chinese Restaurant. This in a hot toddy might BE the cure for the common cold!
Palate- Black Pepper and coriander are front an center. I really get some floral notes- especially hibiscus. It is followed up by some oak, and goes out on just a hint of that black old timey licorice in the paper bag.
Finish- longer than I expected and likely the spicier pepper notes stay with me a bit too long but then fade into candied ginger at the end. There is what I can best describe as a tanginess that is very pleasing.
This one outkicks its coverage and is very nicely done. At 39.99 it is a steal that proves just what you can do with rye whiskey if you push the experimentation beyond just barrel finishing. I really want to try this in an Old Fashioned Cocktail because I think with some Angostura Bitters this would be a hit. It kind of renewed my faith in local Illinois distillers and is tempting me to stop up the next time I am in Evanston. I find FEW's bourbon a bit on the young "cornflakes and watery milk" side, but this is where their bread and butter may well be. I dug this one.
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