Whisk(e)y Wednesday - 2021-09-22 ... RYE ! ! !

Another Whisk(e)y Wednesday - today... RYE! Trying two higher proof young-ish ryes today. We have Willett Family Estate Small Batch Rye aged 4 years, coming in at 111.8 proof - 55.9% AVB along with Knob Creek Single Barrel (Westmoreland Liquor Store Pick) 115 proof - 57.5% AVB aged 6.25 years or so.

First up, the Knob Creek. On the nose, I find expected rye spice, a touch of dill, some cinnamon and licorice. The taste I get the licorice coming through along with the cinnamon heat. The finish is cinnamon and spice.

With water I get a bit more dill on the nose, more baking spice on the taste, and more wood on the finish. To me this was nothing outstanding, a touch above Old Forester Rye but about twice the price too. Rated 3.25 / 5.0

Next we have the Willett. No batch statement or such on this one. The nose I get brown sugar, a touch of dill, cinnamon and some floral notes. On the taste I get molasses, toasted marshmallow, baking spice, some fruit, and some bitter tea. The finish has spice, some spicy/minty numbing, and a touch of wood.

Water brings out more floral notes on the nose, and brings the bitter tea to the front on the taste for me, along with more molasses - which makes for an interesting combination. Overall this one is interesting, and if you are going to have to hunt down a bottle - you want it to be at least interesting. A step above the Knob Creek - I'd rate it 3.50 / 5.0

I also tried my old standby budget rye - Old Forester 100 proof - and compared to these two, it's a bit flat, but at half the price, probably a better value. I also had a sample of a different Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick (same 115 proof) that had more of the typical Knob Creek notes of being nutty and I probably prefer the Westmoreland store pick over that one - but only slightly.

Cheers!