Review #: 518
Description: Whitmeyer’s Single Barrel Rye Honey Finish
Spirit: Rye
Background: 30 for 30 Day 12: Whitmeyer’s has been based out of Houston, Texas since 2012. They appear to have a few of their own offerings but also have a line of sourced barrels. Not sure if they are still in business as they haven’t had any posts on social media for nearly a year and google says they are temporarily closed. This was finished in a barrel that held honey. Honey finishes I’ve typically stayed away from. It feels a bit too close to dosing and I know there have been successes, but in general the market likes sweet things. This was pretty affordable so figured to get a sample.
Distillery – MGP
Bottler – Whitmeyer’s
Brand – Whitmeyere’s
Selection – N/A
ABV – 53%
Age – 5 Years
Nose – Honey is strong, but with the rye it smells a lot like black tea with honey, very herbal, oregano, parsley, thyme
Taste – Honey, candied lemon, fresh baked bread, milk caramel. Honey is front and center and leads to a very sweet experience
Finish – The honey pops but works well with oak that comes through, that sweet and bitterness working together, more black tea and herbs, little bit of fruit with some dried apple
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? Not sure of retail, but what I paid for the sample comes out for $60 a bottle, I would buy one (especially because my wife likes it)
Thoughts: I really struggle with this. Having barrels with honey or maple syrup, something so viscous that’s easy to have a lot left behind, comes close to straight up adding sweetner to a whiskey. I think the rye lends itself to balance and compliment the honey. The honey is strong, but it at least still tastes like whiskey. Without the strong rye and proof, not sure I’d like it as much in this context.