East London Liquor Co. – 3 Year Old 2019 The Heart Cut #2 (50cl, 49.9%)

This is a 3 year old London rye whisky from East London Liquor Co., bottled as The Heart Cut #2. The mash is 55% malted rye and 45% malted barley, which gives a buttery, brioche-like note rather than the heavy spice of a whisky made from rye alone. It was distilled on 16 December 2019, matured in a Hackney Brewery chocolate stout cask and bottled on 2 February 2023 at 49.9% ABV. Only 344 bottles were made, non-chill filtered and with no caramel colouring. Notes include dark chocolate brownie, a hint of rye spice, juicy black cherries, cocoa-dusted almonds and cacao nib. The finish is warm and nutty, with firm pepper balanced by honeyed vanilla.