WhistlePig RoadStock Rye

Okay, I'll admit it: as a Whistle Pig enthusiast and a car aficionado, I was immediately drawn in by the story. Is it a gimmick? Yes. Do I care? No! I was pleased to find a bottle in time for the annual Dream Cruise to share with my family. Let's get started.... The aroma is certainly unusual for a Whistle Pig dram. Very few rye characteristics and many forward fruit hints. It definitely smells like a sherry-finished Irish Whiskey rather than an American Rye, likely due to the Bordeaux blend barrels. The first sip is unlike any Whistle Pig I've encountered. The Bordeaux finish is prominent. To be completely honest, it doesn't even taste like a Rye. There are some very pleasant red fruit notes at the beginning that transition into a peppery burn in the middle. The heat remains relatively mild before fading into a boozy raisin finish. This one is quite unusual. The notes are almost like a blended Scotch, but without the almond notes. The pepper in the middle reminds you it's an American spirit. Overall, this is far from the best Whistle Pig I've ever had, but it earns points for originality and novelty. I might seek out a backup bottle simply because it's incredibly cool. I can't give it a top rating as it's just not that outstanding, but I know you want one of these bottles, complete with a tire-shaped stopper, so grab one if you see it! You might not appreciate the taste, but your car-loving friends will when they see this impressive item on your shelf!

I'm a fan! It's a distinct spirit with an interesting background and many complex flavor profiles. The wine and beer influences from the finishing barrels are noticeable, with the latter remaining on the palate throughout. However, it lacks the strong, typical rye characteristics. It's an approachable rye that takes your palate on an unexpected journey, fitting its cross-country narrative. If you appreciate something different and intriguing, certainly try this one!

I'm a fan of WhistlePig and the story behind this whiskey. It's very pale. It has the consistent wheat and rye flavor I enjoy. It's not as hot as I anticipated. I detect some fruitiness from the wine barrel and a bit of late licorice. The flavor profile is very varied, but it seems to compete with itself.

Considering the narrative and marketing behind this limited edition rye, it's surprising it's still available. It's good, genuinely good. It's like eating a toasted rye raisin loaf generously buttered, with a hint of spilled wine. I'll be buying more of this distinctive flavor profile.

The nose has a fruity scent, likely from the wine barrels it's aged in. The tongue tastes of caramel, but the lingering aftertaste is less than ideal. This is the first RYE I've had in some time, so my palate might need more time to adjust.

A big supporter of the brand, but this misses the mark. Very thin. The story about the blend and road trip is interesting, though not mentioned on the bottle. It will only appeal to brand fans and those familiar with the backstory, not the typical whiskey enthusiast.