WhistlePig is a hybrid spirits operation in Vermont that has previously staked its claim on importing rye whiskey from Alberta to age and bottle in Vermont. In the past, I've bumped into some of their single barrel ryes and found them really enjoyable. In recent months, WhistlePig has made a switch to digging up some older MGP rye stock for their 10 year old single barrel barrel proof rye, as well. As a result, I have set out to try 25 WhistlePig single barrel ryes to get a lay of the land. They were arranged, poured and blinded by a generous fellow who loves rye as much (or very plausibly more so) than I do. There are one or two non-WhistlePig ryes in here, also, so the stakes are pretty high. All blind, all in. Welcome to the 2019 Ryenaissance.
FarmStock appears to be on a direction that will ultimately take it to a place that showcases a burlier expression of rye — which is fitting, really, considering the name.
This is the type of whiskey I could enjoy neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. WhistlePig has done a nice job pairing their young whiskey with more matured rye flavors, creating an interesting and complex rye.
This had some nice rye flavor and played well with the fruitiness, but the young distillate in it is not balanced and becomes quickly apparent. Maybe at half the price, it would be a better value.
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House Review
Nose:
Remarkably different nose. Fruitier, almost a hair lactic. Younger smelling. Lots of moist wet grains, musty youth. Some ethanol. Melon and apples.
Taste:
Thin. Unpleasant first note. Wet cardboard. Gross malty grass. Young. Good bit of heat. Some vanilla.
Finish:
Short, hot and a bit one noted. Malty, apples and pears, malty grains and a pulpy note
Overall:
Not a fan. Obvious youth. Grainy. Musty and malty in an unpleasant way. I was told that there may be one or two non-WP single barrels in here and I'd have to say this is absolutely one of them.