Rye Tasting (WT 101, Ritt BiB, Willet)

I'm a rye lover and recently I was able to get my hands on some WT101 and Willet Rye. I've had Ritt BiB sitting in my bar for a while so I've decided to compare them to see which one I liked more. I'm not much on writing so here goes on my rudimentary notes:

Willet

Nose
Oak, slight hint of alcohol

Taste
Sharp Oak, deep sweetness, slight rye spice

Finish
Heavy Oak, slight alcohol

Overall
A quality rye, not as rich as I typically like, light on the spice. This one has plenty of depth in oak flavor though.


WT101 Rye
Nose
faint Sweetness

Taste
rich sweet butter, slight oak, a mild spice I associate with rye

Finish
Rich oak, and sweetness

Overall, the balance of the oak, spice, and sweetness is very good. It's been quite a while since I've had this and I forgot how wonderful it is. It's really a shame that this isn't currently being produced, I'm glad that I bunkered several of these when I found it.

Rittenhouse BIB

Nose
Sweetness, slight alcohol

Taste
Spice, Carmel, Rich carmel and oak flavors

Finish
Oak, and spice lingering on the tongue

Overall, this is a very bold rye to me with an excellent finish to it. The richness of the flavors and the depth is what I really love.

For my personal taste I would rank these in the order of my favories as Ritt BiB, WT101, then the Willet. Although it greatly depends on how I'm feeling on a given night. If I'm looking for something that I'm going to sip and enjoy it's going to be the WT101. The Ritt BiB is something for me to savor and enjoy after a really nice meal.

Thanks for the notes! This was a great post and the type we need more of.

Very informative, thanks for taking the effort to post it.

Nice post. What was the age on your Willett?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by White Dog

Nice post. What was the age on your Willett?

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4 years and 110 proof, I'm assuming it's the new one that was released recently as I just picked it up in the last few weeks. I felt it made a good comparison because it was about the same age/proof as the other two.

I do have some Old Scout Rye (7 years I believe 95 proof) and Templeton which if memory serves me is 80 proof and around 4 years so I might have to compare those as well.

The Willett 4 year 110 is an old release, the last 2 releases have been 5 year olds. They have slowly upped the age statement, it went from 3 to 4 and now 5. They all taste pretty much exactly the same, which is crazy, cuz even the 3 didn't taste too young. I love the grown up version of Bulleitt, but at $45/bottle here in LA...I just can't buy it anymore, especially since Bulleitt Rye is $19.99 at Trader Joe's.

Welcome the great world of rye, it's a wonderful place.

TPS has a Willett 4yo 110 right now. Does anyone know if the one on this thread is of same release? Is it LDI or Kentucky? I am thinking of including some on my next order from TPS if it is of Kentucky birth. I've had enough of the LDI for the time being...not really my cup of rye. Thanks!

Other posts I've read say LDI but I haven't read a label which of course if it says 95% rye . . .

Just bought a bottle of the Willett 4 yr 110 today and while not at TPS, it was from a large, well known store in Jersey City and it was distilled in Indiana. Doesn't hurt to give the TPS a call to ask.

All the Willett Rye I've seen labels on state distilled in Indiana. The 5 year, 110 proof showed up here locally last week for $45. I passed.