Whistlepig 10 Year Small Batch Rye

Total Score: 3.75 [English] Nose: A faint hint of alcohol. Savory and calming grain, reminiscent of bread. A non-intrusive scent of minty herbs. Vanilla, woody oak, and bourbon aromas intensify over time. Piney floral notes. Palate: Refreshing sweetness. Light yet spicy. A subtle, almost imperceptible grassy bitterness. Finish: A light wave of spice crosses the back of the tongue, leaving a pleasant, soft, non-stinging warmth in the throat for an extended period. Soft notes of grass and oak emerge, with oak lingering in the nose and grass in the mouth and throat. Sweet fruit with body.

Didn't enjoy it whatsoever. The aroma and initial sip were acceptable. However, the finish was quite vegetal. I really disliked that part. Someone at my table compared the finish to mildew. I have no firsthand experience with mildew's flavor, but I suspect it's similar. Nevertheless, it must be my and one other person's palates. The remainder of my companions were fine with it. Now that I own this bottle, I'll use it in various whiskey cocktails to potentially mask its taste. I highly suggest sampling it at a bar before purchasing an entire bottle. Incidentally, that advice might apply to other life decisions as well... haha.;)

Received a blind sample from a friend. Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Medium amber. Nose: Caramel, apples, and graham crackers. Palate: Dry oak tannins and a note that's hard to identify. Almost like rubber. Finish: Medium length with mild heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed, but dry oak is reduced. Overall: 7/10 - This is a decent dram, and I suspect it has spent a significant amount of time in oak. The proof doesn't seem particularly high, but the unusual note on the palate makes me curious.

The aroma is reminiscent of classic spicy rye, with prominent perfumed floral notes (violets) I associate with previous Whistle Pig bottlings. The flavor is spicy, vegetal, and alcohol-forward, with some mint, another characteristic trait. There's an ashy taste on the finish. Adding water enhances the aroma, revealing more complexity with a strong citrus and wall-plaster character dominating. However, the flavor becomes dull and muted. This is a significant disappointment for me. While the aroma has some intriguing elements, the flavor is severely lacking.

An intense Straight Rye Whiskey crafted by Master Distiller Dave Pickerell for Raj Bhakta in Vermont, made entirely from rye grain and aged for ten years. It greets you with an aromatic beginning featuring notes of grains, wood, herbs, and spices; its rich development adds rye, butterscotch, honey, pralines with vanilla, and a hint of mint; leading to a bold and woody conclusion with notes of toffee, charred, burnished, and wood spice. May / July 2018 / January 2019 / November 2020 / October 2022

The aroma features grain prominently, alongside baking spices, caramel, and a woody, musty undertone. The taste is full of rye with significant spice that isn't harsh. The rye flavor dominates the typical caramel notes, leading into a finish with herbaceous and musty wood characteristics. It's decent, but I wouldn't repurchase it because of the price. There are many aged ryes offering better value.