If you’re looking for something to whistle about – WhistlePig 10.
The WhistlePig distillery may only be a piglet in the wide whiskey world, but they’re already living high on the hog. In 2007, WhistlePig was founded on a farm in the middle of Vermont. Amongst the sheep, goats, and literal pigs, the group decided the farm also needed a touch of rye whiskey. So, they popped over the border to source a high pile of 10 year old Canadian whiskey and got to work. In the first few years, WhistlePig was lucky enough to work with Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, who is considered the “Johnny Appleseed” of craft distilling after spending 14 years at Maker’s Mark and consulting over 100 distilleries like Copper Fox, Watershed, Garrison Brothers, and of course, WhistlePig.
Only 16 years later, WhistlePig has managed to turn that sourced whiskey into a whole pig pen full of whiskies including 14 current offerings and 16 previous. Although the whiskey still floats somewhere between “sourced” and “work in progress,” in the meantime the distillery is taking a stand with its oak barrels. The barrels themselves come right from the WhistlePig farm and apparently boast a custom char and toast, again designed by Dave Pickerell. While it’s great to see a craft distillery pay such close attention to branding, barrels, and process – what about the whiskey?
Well, the brand’s first whiskey release just so happened to be WhistlePig 10 – a small batch rye whiskey that was aged for 10 whole years and comes in at 100 proof. It’s a surprisingly citrus and fruit filled rye with rye undertones like licorice, black pepper, and clove underneath. It’s a light whiskey with a long crisp finish that melts into sweet caramel, allspice, and thick butterscotch flavors. With a name like pig, you’d expect something rougher, but WhistlePig 10 is filled with sweet and floral taste.
There’s just one downside – You’ll need to bring home the bacon in order to afford this whiskey. The rye does have a slightly hoggish price point of $86, but then again, when was the last time you saw a cheaply priced 10 year old whiskey?
This may be the first time we’ve dipped our hoof in the WhistlePig water, but if their 10 year rye is any indicator, it definitely won’t be the last. If this is what the brand can do with sourced Canadian whiskey, then imagine what will happen when they get down in the mud of their own mashbill. For now though, WhistlePig 10 Year Rye Whiskey has us squealing with delight.
STATS: WhistlePig 10 Year Rye Whiskey
- Price for us: $86 for 750 mL
- Proof: 100
- Aged: 10
- Distillery: Sourced, owned by Moriah Ventures
- Recommendation: Neat
