Behold, a tale from the annals of William Oliver’s whiskey lore! During one of our esteemed whiskey tastings, our illustrious owner, Rico, imparted his wisdom on the art of tasting notes. Rico encouraged guests to go beyond saying there were notes of “vanilla” and explore the depths of flavor.

As the evening unfolded and the glasses clinked, one bold guest (Jonathan C), inspired by Rico’s challenge, boldly proclaimed that his whiskey tasted of “Beaver Butts!” Yes, you read that right! Amidst the chuckles and raised eyebrows, the class was enlightened on the secret of beavers.

Did you know? Beavers possess castor sacs near their tails that produce a substance called castoreum. This unique secretion has been historically used in perfumery and yes, it carries a delightful hint of vanilla. It’s fascinating how nature’s creatures contribute to the world of flavor in unexpected ways.

So, next time you’re nosing a whiskey and you think you detect a hint of something unusual, don’t hesitate to share your discovery—just like our adventurous guest did with “Beaver Butts”! Here at William Oliver’s, we celebrate the spirit of exploration in whiskey tasting, where every note tells a story, even if it’s a tad unconventional.

Join us for our next whiskey class and who knows? You might uncover the next unexpected tasting note that will leave us all pleasantly surprised and amused. Cheers to curious palates and the infinite flavors of whiskey!