New Holland Brewing Walleye Run Malted Rye Whiskey 7 Year Review.
New Holland Brewing Walleye Run Malted Rye Whiskey 7 Year Review.
Last year’s trip to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival gave me the perfect excuse to visit New Holland Brewing’s Brew House, a must-stop for fans of their iconic Dragon’s Milk stout. That’s when I first picked up the Walley Run Malted Rye Whiskey, a newer release at the time. Now, it’s making its way onto shelves here in Indiana, and even available online. This 7-year-old rye, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely by New Holland. Knowing New Holland’s knack for blurring the lines between brewing and distilling, I was eager to revisit this bottle after a year in my cabinet.
Walley Run Malted Rye is crafted in-house on New Holland’s pot stills and bottled at 46% ABV. While they’re well-known for their beer barrel-aged bourbonsm and for aging beer in ex-bourbon casks, this rye takes a different path, letting the grain and barrel speak for themselves. The malted rye base adds a distinctive layer of complexity, while the 7-year maturation in oak gives the whiskey depth without overshadowing the grain’s character. The current bottling has a dark golden hue, and the newer label design sports an attractive ripple effect on the glass.
Age Statement: 7 years.
ABV: 46%.
Mash bill: 51% Malted Rye, 49% Malted Barley.
Area of Distillation: New Holland, Michigan.
Appearance: Golden amber.
On the nose:
On the nose:
The malted rye is immediately front and center, floral, spicy, and laced with gentle oak. There’s a sweet earthiness alongside brown sugar, golden honey, and a light barrel char. New Holland’s brewing roots peek through in a subtle, beer-like maltiness, almost like a foamy head from a hoppy ale. A dash of vanilla softens the edges, while a faint orchard fruit sweetness lingers in the background.
Taste:
Sweet and spicy in equal measure, with the floral rye spices meeting herbal notes and a honeyed richness. The malt character creates a unique “hoppy” brightness, balanced by toasted oak and creamy vanilla. There’s a pastry-like quality here, somewhere between an apple and cherry turnover, adding a buttery, fruity sweetness. Light pepper and oak keep the sip lively, and the pot still character brings depth without harshness.
Finish:
Medium in length, with peppery spice, toasted oak, and lingering honey. The malt’s grainy sweetness and gentle fruitiness trail off softly, inviting another sip.
Final Thoughts:
Walley Run Malted Rye offers something genuinely different in the craft rye category. Mash bill shines through, supported by careful pot distillation and thoughtful aging. It’s distinctive, well-balanced, and enjoyable neat, a rye that rewards slow sipping. If you spot it in the wild or online, it’s well worth picking up to experience New Holland’s brewing-inspired approach to whiskey.
Rating: B+ (Great).
Cost: $49.99 for 750ml.
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