WhistlePig Old World Cask Finish Rye 12 Year

The producer's website might be mistaken, or the expression has changed. The 12-year container I own indicates on both the front and back that the spirit originates from Canada. It is likely from Alberta distillers. The producer states it is from MGP - this is incorrect for my bottle. It's possible recent batches are from Alberta. Regardless, I prefer the Alberta flavor profile over MGP 95/5, so I'm pleased. My brother-in-law gave me this bottle as a generous present. Selecting whiskey for me is challenging, but this is a success. It's a bottle I hadn't tried and wouldn't have purchased myself. The aroma presents the typical Canadian rye character: more fruit than spice, with abundant grape soda/cola/jolly rancher notes. It's distinctly fruitier and sweeter than other Canadian ryes I've sampled, which I attribute to the wine cask finishing. The taste becomes somewhat spicier and earthier, but not the peppery/dill notes common in American ryes. It leans again towards a root beer/cola character: sweet, almost syrupy, and layered. The finish is rather brief, though hints of the jolly rancher/sugar raisin flavor persist. This is a very good bottle; however, I find the price to be excessive. Single barrel selections of their 10-year offering, which can be 15-17 year old Alberta spirit bottled at cask strength, are about $30 less. It lacks the wine cask finish, and comparing the two side-by-side, the 12-year is noticeably sweeter and fruitier. If cost were not a factor, I'd buy it, particularly to have on hand for novice whiskey drinkers. It has a lower proof, is sweet, complex, and an excellent introduction to Canadian rye. A comparable profile would be lower-proof ryes with minimal rye content in the mash bill. JD rye comes to mind for its fruity aspect, but it has more oak influence. Michter's rye is a good comparison, yet it lacks some of the fruitiness. Barrell offers many Alberta rye products at barrel proof - Barrell Seagrass is quite similar on the nose, generally superior and less expensive, but is bottled at higher proofs. Ultimately, I'd say it's good, but too pricey for me to recommend purchasing.

Nose: Cordial-like aroma (cherry cola). Sweet, earthy, fruity notes (peach and red berries). Brown sugar, vanilla, and a hint of preserved ginger. The nose expands as it rests. Palate: Very sweet and easy arrival. Brown sugar appears again together with just a little baking spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves). Lots of sweet fruit and more spices come through in the development. Raisin scones, Christmas cake, and there is a menthol/peppermint note, which is typical for a rye. The texture is good but not remarkable. Finish: Medium/long. Sweet and grainy with lingering faint spice. A touch of wintergreen in the aftertaste. This is softer and more interesting than Whistlepig 10. It’s surprising how much difference just two years plus a relatively intense wine finishing can make. I thought the 10 year old was pretty unremarkable, but this is a much more accomplished effort, and it’s the sauternes and fortified red combination that makes it. Water makes the nose a little dusty but does not spoil it; however, it significantly amplifies the minty notes on the palate to the point where it loses balance. I preferred this one neat. This seems to be around $120 in the U.S., is that correct? Remarkably, we pay less than that here (around AUD$150), and it must be the only U.S. spirit for which that can be said. I’m not sure I’d pay that much anyway, but then I’m not really a rye enthusiast; however, this is a good whiskey. “Good”: 84/100 (3.75 stars)

It's been a long time since I last reviewed an American whisky. And I suppose the best way to resume these reviews is with a very hard-to-find one, especially in my country, Ecuador. Whistlepig is synonymous with great American whiskies, and this one, called "Old World Rye," is a 12-year-old offering. The great part is that the spirit was divided into three barrels – Madeira (63%), Sauternes (30%), and Port (7%) – for its maturation. Bottled at 46% ABV. On the nose, this smells good! Cherries, glazed pork; port wine & herbal spiciness. Gooseberries. After a couple of sips, the aroma gave me notes of a greasy BBQ, red chili, and maraschino cherries. On the palate, you can truly tell this is a fancy rye whiskey. Red fruits & herbal spiciness. The red fruits are incredible here because they are combined with a full spicy profile. The aftertaste was amazing as well. Balsamic oil; red fruit marmalade and pepper. Red chili. Overall, this was truly a lovely dram. I had the chance to taste it in a very fancy restaurant in Cuenca, Ecuador, which made things even better, as you wouldn't normally expect to find such a rarity in the Ecuadorian highlands. My score for this beauty is a solid 92 out of 100.

An elegant Rye Whiskey from the renowned distiller for WhistlePig Distillery in Vermont, aged at least 12 years in new American oak casks, then finished in casks comprising 63% Madeira, 30% French Sauternes, and 7% Port. It begins aromatically with notes of sponge cake with buttercream frosting, chocolate chip cookies, vanilla, English toffee, and a hint of oak; its character develops with spicy notes of Rye, red berries, raspberry, raisin, cherry, stone fruits, orange-blossom honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, rancio, and a hint of anise; culminating in a long and robust finish with notes of honeyed cereal, white wine, mint leaf, dark chocolate, and caramel. November 2020 / August / October 2022

Notes of oak and leather with a hint of tobacco. Very smooth and richly flavored, with a persistent but not harsh finish. All the flavors are discernible; it's clearly been crafted with care and is a definite pleasure. Subtle hints of herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary are present. Truly one of my favorites, without question.

Nose - Rich, cherry plum Taste- a little lighter than expected from the nose. Dry, spicy, a little dill, mild sweet and bitter, then heat. Aftertaste- bitter head fades quickly This might be close to the bottom of the bottle, but I expect a 12 yr to have more. Still good though.