by Forrest Foster
One of the tough decisions I’ve faced in assembling the liquors at Altura is selecting the “well” spirits we have available. Because of our limited space, I select only one spirit to represent each neccesary category. Thankfully, there was a very clear choice for one area - rye whiskey.
I’ve loved Willett rye since I first laid eyes upon the bottle. The care that went into designing the package is clear - it’s a beautiful, noble label. The whiskey itself is an excellent expression of a high proof (110) middle aged rye - the smoky oak on the five year neatly frames earthy/herbal aromas, and gives way on the palate to spicy black pepper and menthol. The four year is more immediately mentholated and spicy, with the oak taking more of a back seat, which I consider to be a very classic rye character.
Unfortunately, it is a highly allocated product and as such I’ve only just recently gotten my hands on a second case of their four year product. I should have it available for the foreseeable future.