Little Book Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task

Little Book Chapter 2: Noe Simple Task
59.4% ABV
$90 – $100
Website

What the Blender Says

FREDDIE’S NOTE
As the name implies, this round of Little Book was a long journey that really tested my skills as a blender. Maybe I jinxed myself naming my first batch “the Easy.” Superstitions aside, I spent a lot of time in the lab on this one. I tried almost forty different recipes. But in the end, all that hard work paid off and we landed on a one-of-a-kind whiskey I’m really proud of.

The road to Noe Simple Task started when I visited our Canadian distilleries in early 2017. I enjoy travelling to different places in the world to see how they distill their spirits. There, I was able to taste some great Canadian whisky straight out of the barrel. I was really drawn to the fruit and floral notes they achieve. I wanted to know more.

Later in the year I went back for a deeper dive to learn all about their process. And taste some more great whisky. This was a step outside my comfort zone. The rules and laws for making whiskey in Kentucky that I grew up with don’t apply up there. But I came back inspired and began blending.

Now, while the flavors of the Canadian whisky had piqued my interest, my heart still lies in Kentucky. So I was excited about the idea of bringing the best of both worlds together. Knowing I wanted to blend with Kentucky Straight Rye, I started experimenting with different Canadian whiskies, trying to pull in those fruity and floral notes. They use a lot of different barrels to age up there, so I was able to play around with a lot of different flavors. I was looking for something that would round out the blend and really showcase the nuances of both the American and Canadian whiskies. In the end, I found the 40-year-old whisky and 13-year-old rye helped me achieve exactly what I wanted—a truly balanced and refined whiskey with a nice, lingering finish that’s full of flavor.

Blend Overview:

• • 13-year-old, uncut and unfiltered¹ Canadian rye whisky at 111.9 proof
  • 8-year-old, uncut and unfiltered¹ Kentucky straight rye whiskey at 119.8 proof
  • 40-year-old, uncut and unfiltered¹ Canadian whisky at 137.8 proof
  • Proof: 118.8

Tasting Notes: Little Book “Noe Simple Task” features floral and fruity notes that balance out the spice from the rye whiskies in the final blend. The finish is long, lingering and spicy with notes of caramel.
Sipping Suggestions: Neat, over ice, or with a few drops of water

¹While we get every last ounce of charred oak flavor from our barrels, we make sure any actual pieces of barrel wood are left behind at the distillery.

What Gary Says
Nose:  Evergreen/pine with mint, maple syrup, cloves, nutmeg and subtle dried fruit.
Palate:  Warm and sweet, vanilla, caramel, mincemeat pie with raisins and apples.
Finish:  Moderately long, thick with a cinnamon note.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Canadian rye, and the nose screams that to me – more so than the Kentucky rye which is more aggressive. There are some typical notes found in both (for me, mint and some of the baking spices), but I find evergreen notes often in the Canadian rye whiskies. On the palate, it is far more balanced – sweet with those baking spices. Sipping neat, this drinks easier than 118.8 proof. I wasn’t a big fan of the first Little Book release, but this is damn tasty whiskey; one I could just sip and enjoy or take my time pondering. Fairly complex, balanced, and just delicious.  Would I love to see this at a lower price point?  Sure, but hard to argue that there are other similar pours out there to be had for less (for starters, hard to find something similar!)  If you know you like Canadian rye whiskey, I’d call this a ‘Must Try’.
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Beam Suntory and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.