The aroma immediately presents a distinct sweet fruit, which rapidly intensifies. The lychee is instantly recognizable, and the tea barrel finish provides excellent harmony. The nose is truly exceptional, as the two primary influences largely negate what one would traditionally expect from a whiskey. There are hints of oak, vanilla, and a touch of floral spice; one could spend a considerable time dissecting the flavor profile, but upon recognizing the definite lychee and tea influence, the experience ahead becomes quite clear. The palate is remarkably gentle, with the tea prominent but not overwhelming, effectively complementing the lychee's sweetness and maintaining balance. It's akin to a gummy candy – sweet, but not excessively so, just enough to encourage further tasting. The conventional whiskey characteristics recede to minor supporting roles, featuring oak, vanilla, and a hint of spice, all remarkably restrained. The finish is of medium length, featuring a persistent lychee sweetness, while the tea imparts a balancing bitterness, ensuring overall harmony and desirability. Subtle oak notes fade into the background, but overall, this creation is so unique it's difficult to perceive as a whiskey. Incredibly easy to consume, its flavor profile is exceptionally rare and highly memorable.
WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Single Barrel
Whiskey Canadian Whisky Vermont 48.4% ABV
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About this bottle
The third offering in Whistlepig's Legends Series is a high-rye whiskey selected from barrels chosen by the drivers of the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake. Uniquely, the barrels were subjected to wind tunnel testing at the team's facility in Switzerland and experienced varying G-Forces at Whistlepig Farm & Distillery in Vermont. This whiskey, inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, was also finished in lychee and oolong tea barrels. It is available for purchase on Whistlepig's website starting September 13, 2023, and at select US retailers for $49.99 SRP.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 11 parsed reviews.
Nose: Predominantly strong lychee, overshadowing other scents. Licorice and black tea are subtle yet noticeable. Palate: Lychee and sweet iced tea. Fruity and sweet. Very faint rye notes. Finish: Cinnamon. Lychee. Thin. I'd classify this as a flavored whiskey; it's not exceptional neat, but it would excel in a whiskey highball or a tea-centric cocktail.
Nose: Exceptionally sweet and fruity, not typical for a whiskey. Palate: Lychee is very prominent. Sweet fruit gives way to a well-balanced black tea finish, providing a tannic conclusion. A lower-rated whiskey but incredibly enjoyable to drink!
Nose: Lingonberry, dried cranberry, cinnamon, floral, potpourri Palate: Cinnamon, light sugar, dried apples, white tea, honeysuckle Finish: Cinnamon, honeysuckle, cinnamon bark, stale tobacco, dark chocolate
Notes of green tea, apricot, and pineapple. I wish it were cask strength, but it reminds me of a gin/whiskey blend. Upon further tasting, it comes across as an overwhelming green tea flavor.
Spicy sensation in the mouth with hardly any burn in the throat from the alcohol. Good flavor. It would be excellent in cocktails.
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Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.