FEW Spirits – Immortal Rye with Eight Immortals Tea (75cl, 46.5%)

Immortal Rye from FEW Spirits is a straight rye whiskey from Evanston, Illinois, bottled at 46.5% in a 750ml bottle. It is made from a mashbill of 70% rye, 20% corn and 10% malted barley, and is distilled and aged on site. Instead of adding water to bring the whiskey down from cask strength, the distillery uses a cold extraction of 8 Immortals Oolong, a Chinese tea, so the tea becomes part of the whiskey itself. The nose is ripe peach and honey with floral and herbal touches, baking spice and a little citrus. The palate brings citrus, stone fruit, brown sugar, dark chocolate and dragon fruit, with white pepper, ginger and black pepper building steadily. The finish is medium-long and earthy, with baking spice and a grassy, slightly tannic note.