Whiskey Review: Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two

[and a] creeping salinity,” my new favorite name for a band. I would share the company’s discussion of the label and bottle design, but it’s longer than the tasting note and bats around tedious words like “French-Cut” glass, “Italian sheepskin,” and “auto-grade vinyl.” Needless to say, the box is labeled with the words: “The price of being a sheep is boredom. The price of being a wolf is loneliness. Choose one or the other with great care.” Baa humbug. Go tell a Bighorn ram that he’s boring. Wolves sells through their online allocation first. To join the allocation list, visit their website. Select releases are also available through online and physical retailers. We review Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two, aged for 11 years in new American oak after being distilled by a legendary California distiller from 100% malted Irish barley. (image via Wolves Whiskey) Tasting Notes: Wolves Malted Barley Series Lot Two Vital Stats: Aged for 11 years in new American oak, 55% ABV, mash bill: 100% malted Irish barley, SRP $305/ 750ml bottle. Appearance: This is a moderate golden yellow in color. Nose: This had some oddly chemical notes (methane and sulfur) when I first tasted it, so I gave the sample a day or two to off-gas. My second pour was still profoundly affected a day later, so I let it sit in the glass for a few hours. It very slowly unfurled. As I visited it over the course of a couple of hours, it developed notes of stewed apricots, fresh tangerines, and damp hay. There’s a green vegetable note like spruce tips or dried hops underneath a rich note of melted dark chocolate. To me, the combination of dark chocolate and pine notes was a little off-putting. The yeast leaves it mark with notes of fresh baker’s yeast and fermented dark bread dough. I was happy to find that the whiskey had blown off its chemical notes. I find this frequently in American Single Malts, so do try to give them some air. Palate: On the palate, this is decidedly smoky. I wouldn’t be surprised if the malted barley was lightly peated, but there is no reference on the company’s website. There were notes to chocolate tulle cookies, sea salt, and Rice Krispies cereal. The finished has notes of rare prime rib. It lingers, dwindling into a flavor of raked leaves and wool.