Origin: Illinois (USA)
Type: American Rye Whiskey
Strength: 46.5%ABV
Ageing casks: Toasted New
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: FEW Spirits
Average price: € 80.00
Official website: www.fewspirits.com
Vote: 83/100
With a procedure similar to the cold brew cut bourbon I tried some time ago, here is the Everton distillery’s rye with the alcoholic strength lowered with cold-brewed tea, namely the 8 Immortals Oolong, the favourite of whisky maker Erin Lee.
70% rye, 20% corn and 10% malted barley, the black tea variety is supplied by a Denver-based company (The Tea Spot), and the eight immortals named after it are a group of xians (‘immortals’) from Chinese mythology, who live on five islands in the Bohai Sea. These historical figures represent the Taoist interest in achieving immortality, and are associated with health and prosperity, so their images are often featured on special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.
I don’t believe that drinking whiskey makes one immortal, but when it is good it certainly puts you in a good mood, which helps you live better.
Tasting notes
The aromas on the nose follow the classic profile of a rye, with cereal biscuits, nutmeg, cinnamon, gingerbread, baked apple, almonds and walnuts, a hint of aniseed and apple cider vinegar. In the background, bitter orange, an impression of Cuban cigar humidor and a herbaceous, balsamic veil. Not particularly intense or pungent, all in all gentle.
On the palate, the spices of the nose return with an extra touch of spiciness (ginger and chilli), together with cooked fruit (pears, apples, peaches), bitter orange marmalade, nuts (walnuts, almonds, roasted peanuts), maple honey and a herbaceous, almost earthy background.
Not very long finish of nuts, coffee, spices, orange, herbaceous and slightly balsamic notes.
An unusually tamed rye, perhaps due to the tea that also gave it that somewhat peculiar earthy and agricultural background, but apart from that it doesn’t offer any particular emotion. A pleasant dram, as they say without infamy or praise, perhaps suitable for those who are approaching the genre for a less aggressive approach.