Various
WhistlePig
43%
NAS
This wheat whiskey (not wheated bourbon) was finished in toasted barrels produced in collaboration with the Solo Stove brand. As a long time owner of a Solo Stove (and past WhistlePig whiskeys), this was easy to get excited about on paper but let's see how it stands up by the firelight. A blend of wheat whiskey and rye whiskey (still categorized as a wheat whiskey as long as the wheat component makes up 51%+), this is 85% wheat whiskey from Indiana (presumably MGP) and 15% WhistlePig's Vermont-made rye. Bottled at 43% ABV.
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Sweet yet spicy — really interesting nose. Honey, sweet tobacco, confectioners sugar, raisin bread and spicy rye play nicely, joined by a pop of cinnamon. More complexity beyond pure sweetness on this one. The rye spice brings in quite a bit of complexity.
Moderate mouthfeel — pleasant but a touch under-proofed. Pleasant honey, toffee, butter cream, butterscotch, rich cinnamon and a pinch of clove. It's sweet first, then pleasantly spicy. There isn't a ton of oak; the toasted finish no doubt helps with the sweet components here, but it's not a dessert bomb for sure.
Moderate finish. A pleasant combination once again of sweet, toasty desserts and a spicy cinnamon and baking spice character.
This whiskey is entirely different from anything I've had in WhistlePig's portfolio before and it's super fun. As a fan of wheat whiskey, it's also great to see more producers with ample stocks on hand that are 51%+ wheat. This is an easy sipping whiskey — far from WhistlePig's most complex, but the toasted finish shows nicely and as a feature, not a gimmick. On my wishlist would be another couple of proof points, but there's no denying this is a crushable, quality release.
85
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
