TBWC Helsinki Distilling Company 2YO 500mL

Helsinki Distilling Company 2 Year Old (That Boutique-y Rye Company) offers a vivid and energetic tasting experience that highlights the bold, spicy nature of young rye whisky while reflecting its Nordic origins. On the nose, it opens with an assertive wave of freshly milled rye grain and cracked black pepper, layered with forest-like aromas of pine needles and damp oak. Herbal undertones emerge—caraway, fennel, and eucalyptus—alongside subtle hints of green apple peel and floral honey, giving it a lively, slightly medicinal freshness. The palate bursts with youthful vibrancy and intense rye spice. Flavors of toasted rye bread and dried herbs mingle with aniseed, citrus peel, and a warming touch of chili. There’s a crisp, clean texture to the spirit, supported by notes of charred oak and a faint touch of vanilla that hints at its brief time in wood. The mouthfeel is lean but energetic, with a peppery sharpness that carries through each sip. The finish is medium in length, leaving a trail of dry spice, mint, and a whisper of menthol and cocoa. It’s a bracing, invigorating dram that showcases the raw power and bright aromatics of rye grain, unfiltered by long maturation.