Tasting Notes
Nose
This had some oddly chemical notes (methane and sulfur) when I first tasted it, so I gave the sample a day or two to off-gas. My second pour was still profoundly affected a day later, so I let it sit in the glass for a few hours. It very slowly unfurled. As I visited it over the course of a couple of hours, it developed notes of stewed apricots, fresh tangerines, and damp hay. Theres a green vegetable note like spruce tips or dried hops underneath a rich note of melted dark chocolate. To me, the combination of dark chocolate and pine notes was a little off-putting. The yeast leaves it mark with notes of fresh bakers yeast and fermented dark bread dough. I was happy to find that the whiskey had blown off its chemical notes. I find this frequently in American Single Malts, so do try to giv
Palate
[and a] creeping salinity, my new favorite name for a band. I would share the companys discussion of the label and bottle design, but its longer than the tasting note and bats around tedious words like French-Cut glass, Italian sheepskin, and auto-grade vinyl. Needless to say, the box is labeled with the words: The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care. Baa humbug. Go tell a Bighorn ram that hes boring. Wolves sells through their online allocation first. To join the allocation list, visit their website. Select releases are also available through online and physical retailers. We review Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two, aged for 11 years in new American oak after being distilled by a legendary Calif
Finish
Comments:
Latest On The Whiskey Wash
Aged for 11 years in new American oak, 55% ABV, mash bill: 100% malted Irish barley, SRP $305/ 750ml bottle.
This is a moderate golden yellow in color
Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two at 55% ABV, mash bill: 100% malted Irish barley, SRP — at $305/ 750ml bottle, the question is whether it delivers on its promise. I sat down with a pour to find out.
Nose
This is a moderate golden yellow in color.
Palate
This had some oddly chemical notes (methane and sulfur) when I first tasted it, so I gave the sample a day or two to off-gas. My second pour was still profoundly affected a day later, so I let it sit in the glass for a few hours. It very slowly unfurled. As I visited it over the course of a couple of hours, it developed notes of stewed apricots, fresh tangerines, and damp hay. Theres a green vegetable note like spruce tips or dried hops underneath a rich note of melted dark chocolate. To me, the combination of dark chocolate and pine notes was a little off-putting. The yeast leaves it mark with notes of fresh bakers yeast and fermented dark bread dough. I was happy to find that the whiskey had blown off its chemical notes. I find this frequently in American Single Malts, so do try to give them some air.
Finish
Give this time and air, and you will be heartily rewarded. Although I found some of the flavors off-putting, this is complex and nuanced. Is it worth the faux-hype? No. But only because its better than that.
The Bottom Line
Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two is outstanding — one of those bottles that reminds you why you fell in love with whiskey in the first place. If you see it at $305/ 750ml bottle, do not hesitate. This one earns a permanent spot on the shelf.
