Willet: Straight Rye Whisky

This Rye represents a return to greatness, a beautiful Whisky that represents the best of Willet.

For decades, like many others, Willet was a distillery in name only; they would contract out the distillation to third parties and focus purely on what genuinely matters: ageing the whisky to perfection. By having full control of the ageing process and the recipe of the base spirit they import, Willet still claim complete control of the final product despite not performing the distillation itself. As they say, 75% of the whisky’s final flavour is imparted in maturation.

This changed with Willet’s Straight Rye Whisky. With a new generation of the family now in charge, they are imparting their influence over this truly family-run distillery and it’s showing in positive ways. Willet’s new still, a classic pot still, might look more at home in a Scottish Distillery than rural Kentucky. This Straight Rye is their first in house distilled whisky, and it shows off what Willet can do.

There are several ages available, here we are reviewing the straight rye with no age statement (so at least three years old).

The whisky is quite a light orange colour for a rye and smells predominantly spicey and fruity. The first flavours I get are candied orange and the dryness from the grain. Tasting the whisky, it's smoother than other ryes with an initial burst of sweet orange and vanilla followed by a nice spicey dry finish that keeps going. Definitely one to enjoy neat and slowly.

This whisky can be hard to find in the US let alone the UK, our recommendation if you see this whisky, buy it.

If you are interested in this whisky you might also like:

• Few Rye

• Willet Pot Still Bourbon

• Willet Family Estate Straight Bourbon