Friday night I had a friend stop by for a ”little” whiskey tasting. I had arranged a blind tasting of the following:
1. Group
W.L.Weller 19YO
Pappy Van Winkle 20YO
2. Group
Wild Turkey Rye
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13YO
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 1985 100°Proof Non-Chill Filtered
Van Winkle 12YO Old Time Rye
Classic Cask Rye 22YO
Sazerac 18YO
Now my plans where to do “extensive” tasting notes as well as determine the “winner” in each of the two groups. Well it didn’t turn out that way. Instead we spent a lot of time just sipping and comparing and talking about a lot of different things. I did manage some notes, but nowhere near something I could post.
The Weller and the Pappy are both excellent; Friday night the Weller in a Photo finish took my 1.Place. Now this was really “just” a warm up for the Main Event of the evening: 6 great Ryes.
Of these 2 stood out: The Sazerac and VWFRR 1985. Both seamed in a league of their own. I had never had the VWFRR 1985 before, but since Julian had stated that it was the best Rye he had ever bottled, buying some bottles was a no-brainer.
Imagine the little Donkey from Shrek (incl. Eddie Murphys voice) going bananas inside your mouth, kicking and screaming – what a sensation. Now I know I say this a lot (fortunately) but this Rye is one of the best Whiskies I’ve ever had. The extra Proof and No Chill Filtering made the Old Time Rye seam a bit tame. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love the 12YO. Not only did the taste step up a notch or two the colour seamed deeper and more intense as well.
So in order of preference (that night):
1. VWFRR 1985
2. Sazerac
3. VWFRR 13YO, Old Timer Rye, CC 22Y
4. WT
I’ve attached a “little” pic. – I’ve done my best cropping.
The first two glasses (Riedel) are the Wheaters.
The next six in order (WT, VW 1985, CC, VW 12, VW 13, Sazerac)
So – if you ever get the chance to get a bottle of VWFRR 1985 do not hesitate.
I plan to do a more extensive comparison between the 13 YO and the 1985. I’ll do my best on the tasting notes and take some pictures. I’ll post them later.
Thomas