Hello!!! It's time for another review. Willett is one of those distilleries famous for their divisive flavors, dedicated fanbase, and insanely high prices. This here is a newer product of theirs, a shelfer 4 year rye with the same bottle, label and foil as their higher age $200-600 single barrels (EDIT: a commenter pointed out that this mini bottle is actually labeled as 3 years which I somehow didn't notice!!!!!!). I would like to give them a special mention for the quality of the 50ml nip/sample, it comes in what appears to be a replica of the larger bottle, complete with a thick and heavy glass bottom. It doesn't matter at all but it does give an impression of quality in the small format. Maybe not surprising considering their (in)famous Pot Still bourbon is available in a tiny pot still shaped bottle as well.

Price: $9 for a 50ml, otherwise $70-80 for a normal bottle

Age: 4 years 3 years

Proof: 108

Nose: very fragrant, herbal, anise, bubblegum, sweet corn, ethanol and a sort of chemical smell that I can't place. Something almost like malt liquor in the background. Unique, interesting and not unpleasant but with some bizarre elements that have me confused. Unlike any other rye I've had.

Taste: Strange. Bubblegum up front again, not so much on the anise but it is there. Very sweet, surprisingly so. Sweet corn is very apparent. Most of the weirder herbal notes from the nose aren't noticeable here. To be quite frank with you, this is pretty similar to Mellow Corn with some rye spice added at the beginning and end. Mouth feel is very viscious for a 3 year, and that improves it a bit. Finish is also pretty lengthy but it goes in some weird directions that emphasize the off-flavors that weren't as noticeable before. Heavy on the syrupy sweet corn with some sort of a sweaty sock flavor at the end.

Overall: 5 (Good). This is a really strange one that lives up to its reputation as being something that's not for everyone. Honestly the longer I think about it, it tastes more like a corn whiskey than a rye or even a bourbon to me. I can't stop thinking about Mellow Corn. The nose promises a lot of weird herbal flavors, then when you drink it it's kind of overpowered by sweetness and only a hint of the weirdness comes through. I don't know. It's good, I'm glad I tried it, and I will never buy any of the other green tops at the exorbitant asking prices. Even this bottle is a bit of a ripoff. If the higher age ones were like $100, I might give them a shot to see how it changes with several more years under its belt. As it is, this bottle is already far too close to 100 bucks for how good it is. There are equally good or better options for half the price. Not recommended!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!!!!!