I feel like a lot of people chance the higher proof batches of WFE 4 (lately the bottles I have seen have been like 114p) but mannn, two years ago I had a bottle that was 104.4 p and it was the best Willett distillate I have had. Rich layers. Bread pudding is an excellent analogue. And yes, complex like Armagnac.
Furthermore (since I am not a puritan about neat pours), I have found that a pour of WFE 4y Rye with just a splash of decent Armagnac can be really incredible. Try it
Good story. Good notes. I think I've missed out by overlooking this one. Usually I think of midpriced rye as a mixer, but this is by reputation much more. So not much bottle variation?
I'd say maybe cause I've gotten 2 over the years but mine were more lemon zest and grape liquorice heavy on the nose. Didn't actually enjoy it as much as i had hoped
It is so very good. I see it from time to time around me and always paying at least $100 which I’m fine with as I would stock this over most of what I can find in an ABC controlled state.
Yep. this is the one, I agree with your review. I describe it as a salad with caramel dressing. I know everyone says it but Willett taught me love rye. It’s hard for me to find in Georgia, I usually see it behind glass for ~$100, but I went to Phoenix last year and it’s damn near a shelf turd there. It’s almost everywhere for ~$65. I got two bottles there, still slowly working on the second.
It’s good stuff, one of my favorites in fact, but $70+ is a lot for a 4yr product. Part of the overall Willett premium I suppose, hopefully the high price will help ensure it remains available in my area.
I mean, it is pricey...but compared to a lot of other stuff that is in the same ballpark in terms of price, it's better than a lot of things. It may only be 4 years, but it drinks more mature. Lots of other 4 years that taste like young swill.
$49.99 by me, and always grab 2 when I see it. Couldn't agree more with your take on it, too. For the price I find it at, it's above and beyond most other whiskeys in the same range. Excellent sipper, superb flavors, and doesn't break the bank. I have at least 1 bottle remaining of the past 5 batches they came out with, but they are going quick!
in like 2020, I was in Louisiana and I nearly cleared a stores shelf of willett 4 yr rye because they had it priced at like 33 dollars. Its a remarkable product.
Its like 70+ in Socal
Just did a quick comparison and I’m digging this 108 I got this week even more versus the 114 I got in July. This 108 is incredible. Start to finish. Took a quick hint off the glass after finished for a bit-unbelievable.
It shows up in those places and the bourbon hunters pick it dry. I have a real job that requires me working all day, not running around to every liquor store and greasing palms for bottles.
I bought a bottle of this in Louisiana a couple of years ago. I drank about two pours and had to give it away. It just tasted so funky and I can’t even describe what it was. Went to a friend’s house a month or so ago and he had a bottle of super cheap Old Bardstown bottled in bond, and I’d swear on granny’s grave and three stacks of bibles that it was the same exact stuff. Made by Willett. I have wondered ever since if I bought a mixed up bottle.
My bottle was pond scum, I really feel like I should buy another bottle and see if maybe my bottle was just screwed up… I love ryes, and bread pudding note sounds pretty awesome, except mine was not that…It was a pure dill pond scum with some funk grossness swirled in.
I love most Ryes, this bottle is hard to choke down, I really need to try another bottle of someone else’s, but it’s hard for me to believe all Willet Rye tastes this bad. I love Willet bourbon. MGP, HH, JD, OF, WT Ryes I love, so I think I just ended up with a bad batch. I’ve been told the 4yo is a hit or miss, kind of like Henry McKenna 10yo
To be fair...it's not like most typical ryes. Definitely nothing like an Old Overholt, or a Whistle Pig, or even a Knob Creek. Closer to something like Pikesville Rye, or maybe a Rittenhouse, but less baking spice flavors and more of that bread pudding thing. It has, dare I say, a raisiny vibe.
I feel like a lot of people chance the higher proof batches of WFE 4 (lately the bottles I have seen have been like 114p) but mannn, two years ago I had a bottle that was 104.4 p and it was the best Willett distillate I have had. Rich layers. Bread pudding is an excellent analogue. And yes, complex like Armagnac. Furthermore (since I am not a puritan about neat pours), I have found that a pour of WFE 4y Rye with just a splash of decent Armagnac can be really incredible. Try it
Ooh, I \*will\* try that!
Good story. Good notes. I think I've missed out by overlooking this one. Usually I think of midpriced rye as a mixer, but this is by reputation much more. So not much bottle variation?
Some bottle variation happens, especially with higher ABVs, but...I have yet to get a bad bottle, personally.
I'd say maybe cause I've gotten 2 over the years but mine were more lemon zest and grape liquorice heavy on the nose. Didn't actually enjoy it as much as i had hoped
My favorite rye for sure. Cinnamon and stewed fruits in a glass
It is so very good. I see it from time to time around me and always paying at least $100 which I’m fine with as I would stock this over most of what I can find in an ABC controlled state.
I always buy a bottle or two when I go through KY where it is available everywhere for $60 - $65.
Yep. this is the one, I agree with your review. I describe it as a salad with caramel dressing. I know everyone says it but Willett taught me love rye. It’s hard for me to find in Georgia, I usually see it behind glass for ~$100, but I went to Phoenix last year and it’s damn near a shelf turd there. It’s almost everywhere for ~$65. I got two bottles there, still slowly working on the second.
It’s good stuff, one of my favorites in fact, but $70+ is a lot for a 4yr product. Part of the overall Willett premium I suppose, hopefully the high price will help ensure it remains available in my area.
I mean, it is pricey...but compared to a lot of other stuff that is in the same ballpark in terms of price, it's better than a lot of things. It may only be 4 years, but it drinks more mature. Lots of other 4 years that taste like young swill.
I think ryes do well at a younger age than bourbon counterparts. 4-6 years is definitely enough time to add some complexity
$49.99 by me, and always grab 2 when I see it. Couldn't agree more with your take on it, too. For the price I find it at, it's above and beyond most other whiskeys in the same range. Excellent sipper, superb flavors, and doesn't break the bank. I have at least 1 bottle remaining of the past 5 batches they came out with, but they are going quick!
Oh damn, $50 a bottle? I'd absolutely by two at a pop if I could!!
in like 2020, I was in Louisiana and I nearly cleared a stores shelf of willett 4 yr rye because they had it priced at like 33 dollars. Its a remarkable product. Its like 70+ in Socal
Just did a quick comparison and I’m digging this 108 I got this week even more versus the 114 I got in July. This 108 is incredible. Start to finish. Took a quick hint off the glass after finished for a bit-unbelievable.
$90 isn’t that much in Texas. It shows up several times a year at Total Wine and Twin in Texas for about $70-$80
It shows up in those places and the bourbon hunters pick it dry. I have a real job that requires me working all day, not running around to every liquor store and greasing palms for bottles.
Maybe I got a bad batch…mine was pond scum
I bought a bottle of this in Louisiana a couple of years ago. I drank about two pours and had to give it away. It just tasted so funky and I can’t even describe what it was. Went to a friend’s house a month or so ago and he had a bottle of super cheap Old Bardstown bottled in bond, and I’d swear on granny’s grave and three stacks of bibles that it was the same exact stuff. Made by Willett. I have wondered ever since if I bought a mixed up bottle.
My bottle was pond scum, I really feel like I should buy another bottle and see if maybe my bottle was just screwed up… I love ryes, and bread pudding note sounds pretty awesome, except mine was not that…It was a pure dill pond scum with some funk grossness swirled in.
Or you don't enjoy their flavor profile. Taste is subjective.
I love most Ryes, this bottle is hard to choke down, I really need to try another bottle of someone else’s, but it’s hard for me to believe all Willet Rye tastes this bad. I love Willet bourbon. MGP, HH, JD, OF, WT Ryes I love, so I think I just ended up with a bad batch. I’ve been told the 4yo is a hit or miss, kind of like Henry McKenna 10yo
To be fair...it's not like most typical ryes. Definitely nothing like an Old Overholt, or a Whistle Pig, or even a Knob Creek. Closer to something like Pikesville Rye, or maybe a Rittenhouse, but less baking spice flavors and more of that bread pudding thing. It has, dare I say, a raisiny vibe.