Whipper Snapper Wheatbelt Series Rye

It feels like ages. My goal to reach 300 by year's end doesn't seem likely. However, this is my first whiskey since early July. I've been waiting patiently, hoping some local products will impress tonight. Whipper Snapper is a small, independent distillery situated just outside Perth. They began by crafting 'Upshot,' a charming take on traditional bourbon-style whiskey, and have achieved considerable success. Their grain whiskies, both Wheat and Rye, have earned top accolades at the World Whisky Awards, though such awards are subjective. The Wheat Belt series, which includes Wheat, Rye, and now a Single Malt Barley, aims to highlight Western Australian farmers' heritage and the quality of their grains. This rye originates from Whipper Snapper's ties to the Western Australian Wheatbelt, sourced from the Fuchsbichlers. This farming family, originally from Bavaria, cultivates a unique German heirloom rye. Now in their fourth generation, the Fuchsbichlers continue to grow the heritage rye first planted in 1911. Whipper Snapper's rye whiskey features a high rye content of 85% (with 15% malted barley), which they believe accurately represents the Western Australian environment and the legacy of the century-old grain. The whiskey was aged for over 4 years in charred, virgin American Oak barrels. Nose: Intense rye spice with notes of clove, cardamom, molasses, dark cherry, and citrus zest. A menthol quality emerges with prolonged nosing. Palate: Medium-bodied, gaining intensity throughout. Flavors of star anise, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, buttery caramel, and soft vanilla. Fresh, crisp, and juicy stone fruit and apple add brightness. Finish: Lingering. Ginger and intensely perfumed cardamom persist longer than expected. Slightly oily, with perhaps the faintest hint of salt? Whatever is present, it just keeps going... I'm pleasantly surprised. I anticipated a spicy rye bomb, and it's certainly present. However, I didn't expect the bright, softening notes from the virgin wood, which contributed creaminess through vanilla and buttery caramel. Nor did I foresee the juicy crunch of fresh fruit. I certainly didn't expect to find myself thinking this rivals Archie Rose's Rye. In some ways, Whipper Snapper's is more approachable and 'enjoyable,' though it might have a slight roughness in its unending spice and a touch of thinness on the palate that could be criticized. Still, it's excellent, with a nice sense of 'terroir' and authenticity. Whiskey tasting #282. [Pictured here with a Toodyay Quartzite. Toodyay is a town approximately 85 km east of Perth in the Wheatbelt Region of Western Australia. This Quartzite is a well-known rock in Perth, used as dimension and flagging stones throughout the city. The rock cleaves into sheets due to the presence of thin green fuchsite mica layers within the metamorphosed sandstone (quartzite).]

Nose: Rich cereal scents, molasses, port, vanilla, and oak. Hints of baking spices and minty-menthol, characteristic of rye, are present but refined. Without these spices, it would strongly resemble a sherry-finished scotch. A subtle floral note and a faint whiff of damp paper are present but don't detract. 9/10 Palate: An engaging mix of deep cereal flavors and vibrant rye spices (clove, fennel, cardamom, and especially caraway). It starts sweet, then builds warmth and intensity with ginger, ultimately becoming sweeter and more complex with orchard fruit appearing. The mouthfeel is creamy and slick. 8.5/10 Finish: Moderate to long. Fruity rye spice transitions into a sweet-and-sour cereal taste. Mint and wintergreen notes linger, along with a saline quality. A slight hint of cardboard is the only minor drawback. 8/10 After sampling two prior whiskeys from this brand, I was apprehensive about this one. However, it proved to be not only the best of the bunch by a significant margin but a genuinely good drink in its own right. While several Australian rye whiskeys have earned acclaim recently, the only one that truly impressed me until now was the Archie Rose Malted Rye. Coincidentally, I have an open bottle of that currently, allowing for a direct comparison with this whiskey. It's a close contest, but I still favor the Archie Rose. It presents as more balanced and well-rounded, with an overall profile that is "deeper," more polished, and slightly sweeter. The aromas of this whiskey are lighter and sharper, but this is a difference in character, not quality. Overall, this whiskey holds its own very well and is rated just one point below the Archie Rose Rye. (For context, Rittenhouse Rye received an 85/100 and Bulleit Rye an 80/100). Tasted from a 30ml sample. Recommended. "Very Good": 87/100 (4.25 stars)