WhistlePig The Boss Hog III: The Independent

Nose - (undiluted) Faint notes of dark cocoa, cinnamon, cloves, oakiness, subtle hints of cherries & vanilla, latte foam. (with water) Reduced bitter oak, increased vanilla latte foam. Palate - (undiluted) Pleasant mild herbal oaky butterscotch, slightly tart apple/cherry stems, bittersweet dark chocolate, a trace of coke concentrate. (with water) More distinct anise and butterscotch, additional vanilla & cinnamon, fresh strawberries, Rainier cherries, a whisper of fresh green herbs & sweet mint. Finish - (undiluted) Lingering dry oaky warmth, a hint of dark chocolate bitterness, coke concentrate, transitioning to a light dry mint effervescence (with water) Lingering strawberry/Rainier cherry sweetness, a hint of sweet mint, less oak, more fruity vanilla but still dry. Score - 90/100 Final Thoughts - I suppose I really wanted to adore this... immensely... primarily because of the cost and my expectations after sampling a single barrel select. It was enjoyable, but not as "complex" or captivating as I had hoped. It's a very pleasant rye with no disagreeable notes and is remarkably easy on the nose and palate for its strength. It has held up well over 14 years of aging, and a little water truly enhances it, revealing more fruity characteristics. While quite tasty, I believe it's significantly overhyped and overpriced. I certainly wouldn't refuse a pour if offered, but I'd much prefer their 10-year single barrel selects, as I find those offer more flavor and impact for the cost. I think this would be best enjoyed neat with a separate glass and a dropper of water for dilution as needed. A tiny amount of water significantly mellows the oak from the 14 years and makes it a bit fruitier and more pleasing.

A 100% Alberta rye from cask strength, with a Macallan hogshead finish? Sign me up. It appears dark and intense in the glass, and the aroma is a wild mix of scents, but like other high-proof WhistlePig bottlings, it's considerably more mellow to drink than the alcohol percentage implies. Even the lead distiller adds a bit of water to his pour, which softens everything and shows a classic rye from his farm in Vermont. What makes this bottling stand out from the others is the enduring, sherry-colored Scotch finish that truly reflects the barrels' prior contents. You can practically sense the distiller's tales of whisky coming from this glass, or actually hear them if you're lucky enough to be enjoying it with him, which I was. I'd hesitate to spend $350-400 for a bottle, but definitely seek out a sample if you have any curiosity about rye, and particularly if you enjoy both rye and Scotch.

~1.5 oz pour for 50 USD. This is a robust rye with some single malt character. It aged in former Macallan casks. I couldn't pinpoint Macallan, and had to really focus to imagine any sherry influence. It's simply a well-crafted spicy rye that goes down very smoothly considering its 60% ABV. When this was still available, I had the chance to buy it on sale for $330. I'm glad I skipped it. The 4th edition (The Black Prince) is a far more memorable spirit, though also pricier. This lacks the vibrant fruitiness that compelled me to buy a full bottle of The Black Prince. 2.5 / 5 (considering the price)

Combines classic rye spices with s’mores, root beer floats, and fruits. Aroma: Caramel Apples, Cinnamon, Chili Peppers, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Honey, Spearmint, Marshmallows, Dill, Brown Sugar, Brown Butter Cake, Pears, Grapes, White Chocolate Taste: Mexican Hot Chocolate, Honey, Bananas, Maple Syrup, Hershey Kisses, Coconuts, Walnuts, Almonds, Nutmeg, Orange Peels, Cola, Root Beer, Vanilla, Raisins Finish: Root Beer, Chili Peppers, Marshmallows, Hershey Kisses, Cherries, Peaches, Cloves, Pears, Dark Chocolate

Priced at $300. The aroma has notes of oak and vanilla, with a touch of sweetness and spice. It drinks wonderfully and goes down easily. The palate features burnt brown sugar and a hint of mint, with some scotch undertones. There's a subtle peat and smoke, not as strong as some scotch. The finish is long and spicy, remarkably smooth for its 120 proof. An excellent whisky overall, though not quite as good as the black prince 4th edition.

Actually, I'm inclined to give it a 4.5/5 rating. After finishing an entire bottle, I'd favor this one over the Black Prince. However, I never finished a whole bottle of the BOSS HOG IV edition, so my judgment might be quite personal.