Caramel | Vanilla | Dark raspberry | Plum | Mixed berry | Sweet corn

Cocoa | Raspberry | Cherry | Vanilla creme | Oak | Nicely balanced & well done

Spicy oak | Light tannins | Mildly dry | Lingering grape

World Whiskey Society (WWS) was established in 2020, and according to the company’s website “comprises an ultra-premium collection of rare expressions previously unavailable to even the most sophisticated whiskey enthusiasts.” WWS seeks out whiskeys from around the world, noting they have “a singular goal in mind - uniqueness - before selecting a distillery partner to join WWS.”

WWS’s Couture Collection focuses on whiskeys with a secondary finish. In the case of this 6 year old bourbon, it likely comes from MGP, and if so, more uniquely features the company's less common 99% corn mashbill. We’ve pointed out on numerous occasions how well high percentage of corn mashbills take to finishing. As is the case here, neither the base whiskey nor the finish overpowers the other, and instead, come together to form an elegant sip.

Right from the start the nose starts in the classic sense, putting caramel and vanilla at the front. This doesn’t last long as a wave of dark fruits come in and are accented by a sweet corn scent. The palate works in every way, as cocoa is mixed with raspberry, cherry, and vanilla creme, before giving way to oak. The whiskey’s only fault is a finish that comes across as overly oak-forward. It starts with spicy oak and as it resides, light tannins and a mild dryness reside. It’s a bit one dimensional in a sip that otherwise offers layers of flavor.

While this release doesn’t quite reach the same levels as its 10 Year Couture release, don't let that necessarily deter you. This is yet another great example of a high corn finished bourbon that gets so much right.