WhistlePig FarmStock Rye Crop No. 003

This blended rye, containing a majority of the distillery's own distillate, is aged in custom Vermont white oak casks from the distillery's forest. The deep gold liquid shows slow-forming legs. The aroma is complex and sweet, with notes of rye bread, caramel, malted apple cider, dark chocolate cherries, hints of spent coffee grounds, and earthiness, requiring extra time to appreciate. The taste is dominated by rye spice and black pepper, yet it's remarkably smooth, with undertones of lemon peel, red apples, cinnamon, and oak tannins. The lengthy finish begins with lemon pepper, orange zest, and an intriguing, though not unpleasant, blandness, followed by more rye spice and oak tannins. It gradually mellows to vanilla and caramel, concluding with a hint of nutty milk chocolate. Adding a few drops of water slightly boosts the citrus on the nose and palate. Overall, this expression, a blend of their own distillate with sourced Canadian rye, was thoroughly enjoyed, and future releases are anticipated as their distillate ages. It was a welcome gift, and would be a worthwhile purchase if found for under $70.

Nutmeg and cinnamon are prominent on the nose, followed by dill and a touch of cumin, along with cardamom pods. There's some vanilla and icing, and a hint of oak without significant char. It has a slightly sweet, vegetal quality reminiscent of red bell peppers, or Luxardo cherries with less sweetness. Raisins and pine sap are also present. After some time, citrus oil and rosemary emerge, alongside pure rye character and an off-brand cola taste. Sweetness increases considerably, accompanied by toasted black peppercorn. On the palate, expect vanilla, white sugar, oak, rye, and nutmeg. Banana with chocolate and a bit of cinnamon are there too, as are baking spices and black pepper. It's like a fantastic apple pie without the icing, with a hint of lemon. Tannins are present just enough, with a slight bitterness. Black tea is barely detectable. The overall balance is quite good, leaning towards subtle. The mouthfeel is light. The finish brings sugar, vanilla, apples, and cinnamon. Oak appears briefly, followed by lemon pepper and pine. There's a very faint wet cardboard note, but not like the harshness found in some tail cuts. It has a medium length.

A significant admirer of the 10-year expression, I'm intrigued by how WhistlePig's shift to its own distillate will impact that offering. This bottling, a mix of 17% 10-year Canadian rye, 31% 6-year Canadian rye, and 52% their own 3-year rye, serves as an early glimpse into WhistlePig's future. The nose presents strong rye spice and baking soda, with notes of clove, nutmeg, caramel, vanilla, pistachio, Gala apple, apple cider, and black pepper, all rounded out by oak. Spice is prominent, balanced by subtle sweetness. The palate features Gala apple and black pepper, rye spice, clove, nutmeg, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, pistachio, almond, orange peel, citrus, and cocoa. The finish includes baking soda, rye spice, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, caramel, cocoa, orange peel, and more cocoa, along with pistachio, almond, and oak, lasting between moderate and long. This distillate has earned my confidence; while I prefer the 10-year, this is exceptionally good, especially considering its younger age compared to the 10-year. The nose is excellent, the palate slightly less so but still solid, and the finish provides a strong conclusion. Despite the $76 price tag, it delivers exceptional value and fosters optimism for WhistlePig's future as a grain-to-glass producer. 4/5.

It's December 14th, and I'm committing to trying a new rye whiskey daily this month. While my proficiency with rye has improved since last year's Scotch exploration, I'm always open to recommendations for good rye whiskeys. With this new objective, there are specific bottles I'd appreciate help locating. Please suggest your most potent contender. Objectives (summarized): Five ryes. 4.5 stars. Easily found. (Current progress: 3/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10, Whistlepig 12) I want to be able to distinguish between any bourbon and any rye on the first attempt. One of these must be an Empire Rye. I'm looking for a bold, characterful rye. I want the one that evokes the taste of homemade turkey gravy prepared from scratch, immediately after assisting in its preparation. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Smoothness is the defining characteristic of this limited edition. It's well-balanced with a distinctive flavor profile, unlike a typical rye. There's a slight warmth at the back of the throat on the finish, but minimal spice or cinnamon. Grassy, barn-like notes are present but not overpowering. It surprisingly resembles American Malt, a style I don't usually favor, yet I genuinely like this. While expensive, as most Whistlepig products are, it surpasses the 10-year expression for me. This limited bottling won't be around long, so try it while you can.

The aroma of the whiskey includes notes of burnt vanilla, woodsmoke, and a subtle hint of dark cherry at the end. On the palate, the drink begins with a honey flavor that shifts to vanilla in the main body of the taste. There's a background of baking spice throughout, finishing with a peppery kick and a floral bitterness. It possesses the sweet, alcohol-forward taste of a young spirit, though the influence of the older ryes is clearly evident in the complexity of the flavor profile.