WhistlePig - 10 Year - Small Batch Rye
$59
WhistlePig – 10 Year – Small Batch Rye
Proof: 100
Age: 10 Year
Distillery: Sourced from Canada – Imported by WhistlePig
Type: Blended Rye Whiskey – Small Batch
Mash: Unknown
Website: WhistlePig Whiskey
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Rye Grain Spice pops immediately. Next this opens up with Fresh Light Fruits – Pear and Apple. There’s an earthiness of Fresh Cut Grass and Farm Grains. Last on the nose there’s a mixture of Baking Spices featuring Sweet Cinnamon.
Taste/Palate: Slightly dry mouthfeel and medium heat. The Cinnamon Spice and Fresh Rye Grains are dominant to start. The bold opening quickly transitions to Tart Lemongrass, Apricot, and Damp Oak.
Finish: The Sweeter notes come forward in the Finish with Vanilla Frosting on top of a Earthy Grain Background. The overall spiciness of this dram also hangs in the background with the aforementioned touch of Lemon.
Verdict: Overall I liked it quite a bit. It’s a pleasant middle ground between Canadian and American Ryes. Canadian Ryes tend to be more mellow and fruit forward. American Ryes tend to be overly minty. This has a nice balance of Spice, Sweet, Age, and “Earth”. I put quotes around Earth because this brings out a very country fresh taste and smell.
The Story: To be honest I have tried more versions of the WhistlePig Boss Hog series than I have of their standard offerings. For that reason alone I wanted to focus on what one of the products that WhistlePig themselves are proud of. And they should be. This isn’t the best rye I have ever had, but it is very good and it comes with a fair pricetag.
From my research on this particular product, what I can gather is they source the whiskey entirely from Alberta Canada from the same makers of Alberta Premium (review of that is in the works). The product is distilled in Alberta and Aged. It is then imported to Vermont where WhistlePig is housed and from what I can gather they age the juice some more in New White Oak barrels totaling 10 year between the two locations. If this is the case there is no surprise why it is a great combination of Canadian and American characteristics.
The Distillery’s Story: WhistlePig has a great “about me” section on their site. It tells a great story of how/when they started, where they’ve been, an where they want to go. I suggest if you’re interested in their story you check out that section on their page. I’ll attempt to give a cliffs notes here.
They started in 2007. Like many new distilleries they sourced their initial supply and use that with their aging methods. They slowly started over time their “triple tier” method where they grow their own grains, distill, and age with their own Vermont Oak. They still source, but they now focus more on blending. Their Farmstock Rye is a combination of their own distillate and some blending. With each season that passes they phase out more of the sourced product for more of their own.
As seen in the Boss Hog releases they like to have a lot of fun with Rye Whiskey and do some of the most interesting finishing out there. They do much more than source their juice, put a simple twist on it, and slap on their label. WhistlePig is a leader in the Rye category in relation to what they are delivering on the end product. I’ll be 100% honest and say the Boss Hog series is a little rich for my blood and the final product is a little out there for my taste from time to time, but it’s revered by many.
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Solid. It hit all of what’s expected.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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