Seasoned oak | Vanilla extract | Baking spices

Dense rye grain | Vanilla cream | Maple sugar candy | Rye spice

Baking spices | Leather | Peppery seasoned oak | Maple sugar candy

For this single barrel release, Two Souls revisited Wollersheim Distillery, with a barrel using the same mashbill as last year’s “Wisconsin Waffles” release. Wollersheim Distillery is located on the same grounds as Wollersheim Winery, which is recognized as a National Historic Site in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. Wollersheim Distillery has been producing spirits since 2009 and has recently expanded its distillation to include rye and bourbon. To add their own twist to it, Two Souls Spirits finished the base rye in a used maple bourbon barrel.

“Shortstack” is a very full-flavored pour. Peppery seasoned oak and maple sugar candy are most dominant, with baking spices and grain-forward rye elements throughout. While it leads with a somewhat delicate nose, the flavors come hard and fast on the palate. Vanilla extract, vanilla cream, leather, and baking spices complement the more dominating flavors, adding depth to this robust whiskey. Its grain-forwardness is surprising at over 6 years old, and while this element is interesting, when combined with the peppery seasoned oak flavor, it comes across as a bit rough around the edges. Nevertheless, it’s a wholly unique whiskey packed with flavor, and sure to satisfy barrel proof whiskey fans seeking something different.

The bottle in review is number 116 out of 170, and was filled on 7/12/2018, transferred on 1/17/2024, and bottled on 12/17/2024.