World Whiskey Society, the renowned upscale whiskey distributor, dedicates itself to finding the rarest bottlings from around the world, many of which are totally unknown or fly under the radar within the market. WWS offers ultra-premium expressions across all whiskey categories, including bourbon, rye, single-malts, and beyond, including specialty cask-finish bottlings. In fact, additional aging in unique casks is one of WWS’s signature benefits. Plus, signing up is free, granting first access to announcements, special edition releases, new production partners, and other news in the world of high-end whiskey.

WWS offers a tremendous degree of whiskey crossover, and its latest release is no exception. It’s a 12-year-old Indiana rye that undergoes quite a transformation due to its Awamori cask finish. Awamori is a rice-based beverage native to Okinawa, Japan, traditionally stored in clay but, more recently, aged in Japanese oak. The traditions of Awamori date back roughly half a millennium, making authentic expressions of the product extremely rare. This whiskey is my first exposure to Awamori, and while it is only incorporated as a cask finish, it definitely asserts itself in the whiskey.

Tasting Notes

The whiskey’s mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley is traditionally bold. Its 96-proof heat encourages aromas of cracked black pepper and baking spice, which are well balanced by leather and hardy oak notes from aging. This rich and robust character expands on the palate, enhanced by the Awamori’s unique character.

Sweeter notes of dense honey and torched sugar meet warm cinnamon and fruitiness. The Awamori provides a savory quality, adding another layer to this expertly crafted pour. These notes sustain throughout its extra-long, mouth-watering finish, topped by briny hints and floral notes. The notes from its twelve years of barrel maturation are ever-present, wrapping everything together into a complex, intricate, but effortless sipping package that earns its label as a luxury whiskey.

Final Thoughts

Any bottle with a price tag like $169 always strikes a bit of skepticism. With so many superb, budget-friendly products out there, the high-end market is something I haven’t delved into much. I have to say that enjoying something unique through a distributor dedicated to finding the extra special releases out there makes bottles like this worth every penny. This whiskey is truly unlike anything I’ve had before; the Awamori profile provides a new experience in the cask-finishing realm, and I will surely keep a keen eye out for moving forward. I believe signing up with WWS is worthwhile just to discover what unique spirits are out there.