You could say there’s something almost cinematic about it—like a dusty two-lane highway curling out of the Kentucky hills, drifting westward until it hits the California coast. That’s the feeling at the heart of Wolves’ newest release: a limited-edition 10-Year Rye Whiskey created in collaboration with the revered Willett Family Estate. This is not just a bottle of whiskey; it’s a transcontinental love letter written in the language of charred oak and old-world technique.
Wolves, the luxury California whiskey brand that has been quietly stirring up the American Single Malt scene, steps boldly into the rye category with this third—and most ambitious—installment of its partnership with Willett. It’s the first in their series to wear an age statement on its sleeve, a detail that feels both old-fashioned and subversive in a world increasingly obsessed with fast production and flash releases.
“Partnering with Willett on this release has been an honor,” says Jennifer Marks, President of Wolves, her words carrying the quiet reverence of someone who knows she’s treading sacred ground. “This rare blend reflects our shared dedication to craftsmanship and bridges two distinct whiskey traditions, combining Willett’s storied Kentucky legacy with Wolves’ modern California perspective.”
At the heart of this release is a kind of dialogue between landscapes. Willett contributed hand-selected 10-year Kentucky rye barrels—classic, peppery, and commanding in their presence. Wolves’ Head Blender Eddie Gonzalez added rye aged for seven years in Indiana before spending three years mellowing in the coastal air of Northern California. Together, these spirits harmonize, softening the rye’s notorious edge and revealing a symphony of warm gingerbread, bright orange peel, caramel drizzle, and toasted nuts.
On the nose, you’ll find orange zest and baking spices wrapped in a gentle sweetness. Take a sip, and it unfolds like a good novel—gingerbread warmth up front, then whispers of tobacco and a late surge of vanilla and caramel that lingers like the echo of a favorite song.
Bottled at a muscular 103 proof, the Wolves and Willett Limited-Edition 10-Year Rye Whiskey stands as a testament to what happens when Kentucky’s reverence for tradition collides with California’s unbuttoned creativity. Priced at $355, it’s available now at wolveswhiskeyca.com, though supplies are fleeting.
In true Willett fashion, the bottle carries the bird and crown emblem, a design first etched in London’s Pewter’s Hall in 1684—a centuries-old wink to whiskey lovers everywhere. This rye is a rare artifact, a bridge across time and place, meant to be sipped slowly and considered deeply, like a long letter from an old friend who knows all your secrets.
