Willett 4 Year Rye

Classification: Straight Rye
Distillery: Willett
Mashbill:  A blend of Willett high rye mashbill (74% rye, 11% corn, 15% malted barley) with the  Willett low rye mashbill (51% rye, 34% corn, 15% malted
Age: 4 Years
Proof: 111.2

Nose:
This whiskey smells like it couldn’t decide between being a sweet treat at the state fair or your grandmother’s herb garden—and honestly, I respect that. Caramel apple? Yes. Caramel popcorn? Sure. Burnt toffee? Why not, let’s get weird. Then in walks honey and floral botanicals like it’s hosting a tea party inside a rye loaf. It’s not what you expect a rye to smell like, which is why it’s kind of brilliant. Like a rom-com with a car chase.

Palate:
First sip—raisin, menthol, and spice all jump in like it’s an oddly curated boy band. Then green tea crashes the party and things get… vaguely medicinal. Not in a bad way, just in a “Did my whiskey just hug me and tell me to hydrate?” sort of way. Light cherry and citrus make a cameo appearance, like the charming side character who ends up stealing the movie. Against all odds, it works. Surprisingly well.

Finish:
And now we’re turning up the volume. Spices heat up, the proof finally throws off its disguise, and here comes toasted grain and black pepper like the whiskey’s trying to remind you it’s got edge. A little dry on the exit, but hey—so is sarcasm.

Final Thought:
This pour is quirky, unexpected, and weirdly confident. It’s like if an indie band and a botanical garden had a baby and raised it on caramel and sass. I’d drink it again. Probably while making questionable decisions in very good lighting.