Willow Creek Distillery is a kind of uncommon operations that’s an offshoot of a vineyard: Particularly, Paso Robles-based Opolo Vineyards, which now we have lined often through the years.
Willow Creek obtained entering into 2013 with the intent of manufacturing spirits to accompany their wines; as you may think about, the operation focuses closely on brandies (grape and fruit) and liqueurs. It additionally makes a handful of whiskeys, together with this oddity, comprised of a mash of corn, oats, and malted barley (proportions unspoken), which is aged for 2 years in new charred American oak barrels.
I went into this with zero expectations and located that Malt ‘n Oats presents lots of the parts of the craft whiskey world, all given a considerably distinctive spin.
The nostril is nice and heavy with vanilla syrup notes, nearly candylike with parts of whipped cream on high. Slightly time in glass helps the whiskey to cool down, giving a extra cereal- and oak-driven character time to emerge. These two sides of the coin by no means fairly stability one another out completely, however they do at the least discover a form of détente in some unspecified time in the future, with rustic lumberyard notes, evoking the whiskey’s youth, fading out and in.
The palate sees a bit extra happening, the candy assault growing extra of a maple syrup high quality, weighted with notes of fig syrup, extra vanilla, and milk chocolate. Some cinnamon-driven warmth emerges because the palate builds, giving the whiskey a slight vacation vibe. Notes of brown butter and molasses push the sugar quotient additional, with extracted fruit notes lingering endlessly on the infinite end.
Whereas the malt within the combine is clear instantly, it’s robust to search out any oat affect — which I usually affiliate with a richer, rounder physique. In the long run, Malt ‘n Oats finally comes throughout nearer to a basic grain whiskey expertise, although that through-the-roof fruity-sweet end isn’t one thing I’ve encountered typically earlier than. Attempt it as soon as simply to see one thing off the crushed path.
90 proof.
B / $55 / willowcreekdistillery.com
Willow Creek Malt ‘n Oats Whiskey
$55
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