Review: High N’ Wicked Warlander

High N’ Wicked‘s Warlander is a blend of bourbon and rye, all sourced from Kentucky — specifically 50% 4 year old rye, 33% 3 year old rye (both 91% rye/9% barley), and 17% 4 year old sweet mash bourbon (51% corn/39% rye/10% malted barley).

Blends like this are becoming more and more common, but it’s unusual to see one that’s quite so young. Let’s give it a go.

High N’ Wicked Warlander Review

A bit anonymous on the nose, this doesn’t immediately connote a whiskey that’s 83% rye, its grassiness rather dulled beneath a smear of what comes across as molasses, with emerging overtones of anise and rosemary — neither overly distinct. A slightly pruny note takes hold as the whiskey develops further, adding some needed sweetness.

The whiskey comes more alive on the palate, where those molasses notes meld with some coconut and more of a raisiny fruit character to lift the whiskey up, at least a bit. Brighter maraschino cherry, dried banana chips, and caramel sauce elements give the palate a bit of an ice cream sundae quality, an edge of charry oak clinging to the finish. The fade-out is reasonably engaging but things soon turn a bit muddy, the whiskey’s general immaturity keeping things short and scattered.

99 proof.

B / $55

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