WhistlePig FarmStock Rye Crop No. 002

Following the excellent Farmstock Crop 003, I was eager to try its predecessor. Here's the breakdown as I did for the prior bottling: 32% Vermont Rye, 2 years old; 45% Indiana Rye, 6 years old; Canadian Rye, 10 years old. Nose: Expresses rye spice and baking soda, accompanied by Gala apple and dill. Hints of caramel, vanilla, pistachio, peppermint, and perhaps a whisper of mint chocolate. Woody and nutty notes emerge, alongside cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and oak. A robust nose. Palate: Features caramel and Gala apple. Black pepper and rye spice are present. More woody, nutty characteristics develop, including pistachio, toasted almond, and walnut. A subtle cola note appears, along with clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Pistachio and baking soda. Dill, rye spice, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and oak. The finish is of moderate to short length. The nose was impressive. However, the palate and finish didn't quite meet expectations. I'm somewhat let down by this compared to Crop 003. It's an acceptable whiskey. Perfectly drinkable and quite pleasant. Yet, it fails to spark the imagination, and its $60 price point reduces the score by a quarter star. 3/5.

The aroma is mild, with floral rye spice, buttery vanilla, and oak notes, while the younger component of the mix adds some rough herbal notes. The taste is quite delicate, starting with oak and vanilla, followed by the rye, and then the youth reappears at the end with a sharp, earthy spice. The finish is moderate, with a lingering floral rye spice and a raw spice that stays in the mouth. In general, it's too understated in every way, and the combination of aged and young spirits feels somewhat at odds.

Considerably better than the 003 expression released the following year. The palate offered distinct yet complementary notes: a young but restrained rye (perhaps a narrow cut?), notes of green grass, and white florals, which are more commonly found in Scotch or Irish spirits than American ones. A subtle cayenne or chili powder sensation, rather than a taste, was present at the beginning of the finish.

Contrary to some other opinions, I genuinely relished this. It offered a distinct experience from many other rye whiskeys, standing out as one of the crispest and most refreshing I've encountered. It's nice to have a whiskey that feels light on the palate. Nose: Sweetness, citrus, vanilla, youth Palate: Rye spice, apple, pepper Finish: Brief, clean, crisp (reminiscent of white wine)

The color is redder compared to the first sample. The aroma is sweet, with bubblegum and vanilla. The taste is sweeter and smoother than the first sample; I initially missed the herbal notes until I let it sit in my mouth and roll over my tongue. The finish is similar in that it lingers and stimulates salivation.

Moderately sweet with a noticeable rye spice that could easily be mistaken for the alcohol content, though it does soften slightly after resting. Overall, a decent pour, but their 10-year rye is significantly superior.