Willett Single Barrel Rye 4 year old review

Family Estate Bottled Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey

WhiskyRant! review of Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

Aged 4 years, this straight rye whiskey has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley. This rye dram is truly a craft whiskey coming from private family-owned Willett Distilling Company (also known as Kentucky Bourbon Distillers). Willett Single Barrel whiskeys are selected by Even G. Kulsveen at Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, from distillate from a variety of distilleries, then bottled and sold, often to companies like The Party Source (information provided by “Victor” from Whisky Connosr)

Since this was a sample, I don’t know the batch number. I am however, going to buy a whole bottle, if my source doesn’t run out. So hopefully, there’s going to be some update on this review. A batch number and some comparison between this sample and a whole bottle. I just had to get this review out as quickly as possible. That’s how good this rye whiskey is. A proof, that age doesn’t matter if everything else is in order in the production.

I want more of this craft rye, PLEASE

Willet Single Barrel Rye 4YO is a great dram, which comes in small batches – every single batch being true art of whiskey craftsmanship. A proof, that good things usually come in small packages. That’s why this Willett is like the award winning short film Please (starring Gerard Butler). Full of emotion, making you ask for more, going “please!”

Mash bill:

95% rye, 5% malted barley

ABV: 55%

Colour: Red copper

Nose: Strong, yet fragrant. Smoothly spicy rye mixed with maple syrup. Sweet vanilla completes the nose.

Taste: Dry oak hits ya good! Full and very warming with spices – cinnamon and nutmeg. Smooth rye and dark sugary vanilla take care of the tender side. Let it breathe, it keeps on getting better and better.

Finish: Long and warming, spicy with black pepper. Dark and bit fruity sweet. Minty aftertaste comes very late.

Balance: Powerful, yet smooth. Spicy, yet silky. Tastes good even without water even though it has 55% alcohol per volume. Excellent straight rye whiskey.