Wisconsin Craft is back at it again with independent bottlers extraordinaire Two Souls Spirits. Wollersheim Distillery, located in the rolling hills of Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin (yes, exciting topography!), was first introduced to the Amongst the Whiskey Team via Two Souls Spirits Spring 2024 release of "Wisconsin Waffles". We had high praise for this release and, as such, were thrilled to learn that a second rye barrel from Wollersheim was being released as a "sister" to the first. Like most siblings who like to stand out amongst their own, this barrel seems intent on doing just that. First aged in a vanilla toasted barrel and finished for nearly a year in a maple bourbon barrel, I think it's safe to say this rye whiskey will have a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to its tasting notes.
Thanks to James and Chad from Two Souls Spirits for providing this sample. I'm grateful for the continued opportunity to review their products and am excited to dive into this latest release. So, let's get to it, shall we?
Company on Label: Two Souls Spirits featuring Wollersheim Distillery
Whiskey Type: Rye Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 66% rye, 22% corn, 12% malted barley
Proof: 126°
Age: 6 years
Further identification: This rye whiskey was aged in a vanilla toasted barrel and finished in a maple bourbon barrel and is available exclusively on Two Souls Spirits website for $89.99
Nose: Immediately, I am struck by the uniqueness wafting out of my glass, a distinct and rich barrel funk that has my eyebrows raised and my attention zeroed in. There are layers of aromas happening seemingly all at once: gooey, warm cinnamon coffee cake, sweet molasses toeing the line of almost burnt, and a rustic dampness that reminds me of old floorboards in a woodshed or hunting cabin. Swirling releases a hint of baked plum, lemon juice, and a forest floor filled with dried pine needles. Returning to the glass after a few sips amplifies the complexity. I find pan renderings from a Saturday morning of flipping flapjacks, burnt butter, and crystalized maple syrup.
Palate: Up front, this is uber-sweet for a rye; think old-fashioned candy made with raw and real sugar. The mouthfeel is silk, though, which is always a great first impression. Back to that sweetness, maple syrup is dripping off a stack of pancakes and onto a plate dusted with cinnamon. Black pepper bounces off my taste buds before a good amount of heat takes over completely. The shimmering sweetness comes back into play with a second sip. A flash of lemon tea and a spoonful of maple syrup dance around my mouth before a slightly drying but sweet linger takes over like the memory of a just-eaten chocolate chip cookie. More sips bring out ginger snap cookies, molasses, sticky maple syrup buns, and a hint of mint leaf on the finish. My palate is ping-ponging between these varying tastes, which is a bit disjointing, but I understand the value of the long game here. The final sip is allspice and black pepper with a warming blanket of sugared cinnamon.
Empty Glass Aromas: Discarded Werther's caramel wrappers, stale cinnamon sticks, and dried apple chips.
TL;DR: an engaging game between sweeter tones and cinnamon spice that will keep your attention!
Rating: 3.5/5
(Good enough. There's something to enjoy here.)
This is a solid example of a true craft whiskey that you can have some fun with and a testament to why I hold great respect for American independent bottlers like Two Souls Spirits. Their willingness to step outside the box by showcasing lesser-known distilleries and adding their own flare to the end product is the energy we need In today's played-out whiskey market. I recommend this bottle to true craft whiskey enthusiasts with the stamina to play against a bottle that has a few complex moves at the ready.
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