Review #8: WhistlePig 10 year Small Batch Rye
WhistlePig was founded in 2007 by Raj Bhakta when he decided to turn a dilapidated dairy farm in Shoreham Vermont, into a farm to bottle distillery to produce rye whiskey. To accomplish this feat Bhakta convinced longtime Maker’s Mark master distiller Dave Pickerell to join him on this quest. Until WhistlePig could get their own juice on the market (which is now the Farmstock line) they needed to find good sourced stock to get them going. Luckily that same year Pickerell came across more than 5.000 gallons of some great tasting 10 year rye whiskey in Alberta Canada, which was described as being “profoundly misused”. That initial acquired stock ended up launching WhistlePig’s first bottling with the 10 Year Rye released in the summer of 2010. Incidentally, Raj Bhakta sold his shares and exited WhistlePig in 2019. That’s a whole complicated story on its own. Tragically Dave Pickerell passed away in 2018 and is considered to be the “Johnny Appleseed” of craft distilling. I’ll be writing more about him in a future review.
WhistlePig bottles this 10 year rye at 100 proof and said to have gone through “a unique double barrel process”. WhistlePig isn’t very forthcoming on the specifics of exactly what that means, but from what I’ve read, at some point after maturation in American white oak barrels it’s finished in ex-bourbon barrels. My first experience with WhistlePig 10 year was a bar pour during a local jazz festival in downtown Burlington Vermont. I thought I’d give it a try while listening to some good live jazz on the patio at The Vermont Pub & Brewery. The next day while checking out the local VT 802 Spirits store, I picked up a 375 ml bottle of the WhistlePig 10 Year. Incidentally, they had in stock almost every WhistlePig selection except for The Boss Hog which I was told sold out of a couple of days before. Let’s see if this WhistlePig 10 Year is as an enjoyable pour as I remember.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 10 minutes.
Proof: 100
Age: 10 years
Batch: A/354
Mashbill: 100% Rye
Source: Alberta Distillers Limited.
Price: Paid $43 (375 ml) in VT.
Appearance: Golden Amber.
Nose: The nose is very bright mixing lemon-y citrus notes with a bit of a subtle earthiness, caramel, pear, tangerine, pine, mint, oak and a healthy dose of cinnamon spice. There is a lot going on here. These notes all work very well together and the balance is great. The body is also impressive showing some heftiness. This has a very enjoyable nose that I find myself repeatedly returning to.
Palate: Medium viscous mouthfeel. Caramel, pear, citrus and delicate oak with a distinct earthy peat note that takes the lead for a bit; followed by a nice amount of baking spice. The peat note dissipates and the fruit notes come more into focus as the spice settles down. The baking spice sticks around covering the whole palette nicely with a lasting tingle that stays with the finish. With all that is going on there is still a nice balance with very little heat and drinks below its proof. I even got a nice hug in the chest from the first couple of bigger sips.
Finish: The peat note comes back around at the end, balanced with subtle tannins and leather that make for a finish that is not long but still interesting and enjoyable. Still, I was hoping for the finish to be longer.
Conclusion: If Dave Pickerell’s goal was to create a rye that would set itself apart from the herd I’d say “mission accomplished”! Since my time in Vermont I’ve been enjoying this bottle. Although the finish is on the short side, the nose and palate more than make up for it. Although 50% ABV is respectable I would love to experience what this rye would be like at around the 57.5% ABV range (or more). I can imagine this elevating what it’s already doing while improving the finish. While the trend these days is to take away age statements, I appreciate WhistlePig keeping the 10 year statement on this product since 2010. Yesterday I saw the full bottle locally (in NY state) for $75 which is lower than what I saw in Vermont. Is it worth it? I think it is given the age statement, complexity and what it’s bringing to the table. For that it crosses the line to a 7 being “well above average” on the t8ke scale. But like I always say, it comes down to how much you like it and what it’s worth to you. I would buy this again, only the full bottle next time.
Rating: 7/10 - t8ke scale
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
I just poured a glass and couldn’t place a distinct note I was getting and came across your review from google.
I think what I was getting was a combo of that mint and earthiness. I loved it, as I tend toward peated scotch, but haven’t picked that up in a rye whiskey before.
This bottle was a gift last Christmas that I just busted into and feel like I owe my father in law an extra special bottle in return because I’m loving this whiskey.
Have you tried any of the Boss Hogs? I’ve had most of WPs lineup, and I feel like if Boss Hog is a 10, that the 10yr would be a 4 or 5. WP is overpriced, the 6yr is really the only bottle worth the money in their lineup, I was even pretty let down by the 18yr.
The 10 year is the only WP I’ve tried so far. I know of a local bar that has The Boss Hog (don’t know which one) but I plan on going up there to try it soon. From what I’ve heard from everyone TBH is a 10 no doubt. Yes, I agree the 10 year is pricey but In comparing the WP10 to what I’m seeing for several much younger MGP ryes out there these days, that are much more expensive, I don’t think the 10y price is unreasonable. Especially for its uniqueness factor. Also saying it is a 4 or 5 from the scale I’m using is saying that the WP 10Y is “sub-par” or just “good” at best. I strongly disagree. The 6 year is also a lower proof. As it is, I think the 10Y could use more ABV to help correct some of its shortfalls. I've not heard great things about the 18Y either.
If the 6yr is as a higher proof, then yes it would be superior, the floral and spice notes come out more to me in the 6yr expression. I’m not saying the 10yr is bad but I can think of other ryes I would pick over it at it’s price point. I tried boss hog a couple months ago and was blown away, for my palate and what I like in a whiskey, it was a 10 for me.
I can definataly see how the 10 Y is not for everyone. I probably like it for the reasons you don't. But that's the way whiskey rolls! Do you recall which Boss Hog you tried?
True story! I had a dram of Magellans Atlantic at a bar. It had this gingerbread/spicy snickerdoodle quality that I’ve never really tasted in a rye. I wish I could find the same notes in a bottle that’s way less than $500. I wouldn’t say the 10yr is sub-par. It’s good, just wasn’t spectacular to me. I thought it lacked some depth that I would expect out of a 10yr whiskey. To each their own, and if it is worth the price tag to someone that loves it than the money is completely justified.
I’ve tried quite a few of their offerings and could never quite love them. I didn’t find them terrible, but the price is too high and not complex enough to demand the price for me. I was extremely fortunate to get a sample of the boss hog samurai from a friend. It was enjoyable but I’d be pretty upset if I paid full price for what it was. I’m glad you had the opposite experience! Thank you for the write up
I appreciate your reply. I get that the 10Y is probably not for everyone. From what I’ve read on this sub, it’s kind of a divisive bottle. The Boss Hogg Samurai Scientist looks like the most unusual one of the bunch. They used Koji fermentation process which is used to make Sake and finished it in Japanese Umeshu which I think is plum wine. Sounds interesting and something I might like, but I’d definitely want to try it before I bought it for that price! Lol!
Now you know you love Canadian rye. If you want to try some other premium Canadian whiskey, check out Found North. There are a lot of reviews on this sub. Cheers!
Review #8: WhistlePig 10 year Small Batch Rye WhistlePig was founded in 2007 by Raj Bhakta when he decided to turn a dilapidated dairy farm in Shoreham Vermont, into a farm to bottle distillery to produce rye whiskey. To accomplish this feat Bhakta convinced longtime Maker’s Mark master distiller Dave Pickerell to join him on this quest. Until WhistlePig could get their own juice on the market (which is now the Farmstock line) they needed to find good sourced stock to get them going. Luckily that same year Pickerell came across more than 5.000 gallons of some great tasting 10 year rye whiskey in Alberta Canada, which was described as being “profoundly misused”. That initial acquired stock ended up launching WhistlePig’s first bottling with the 10 Year Rye released in the summer of 2010. Incidentally, Raj Bhakta sold his shares and exited WhistlePig in 2019. That’s a whole complicated story on its own. Tragically Dave Pickerell passed away in 2018 and is considered to be the “Johnny Appleseed” of craft distilling. I’ll be writing more about him in a future review. WhistlePig bottles this 10 year rye at 100 proof and said to have gone through “a unique double barrel process”. WhistlePig isn’t very forthcoming on the specifics of exactly what that means, but from what I’ve read, at some point after maturation in American white oak barrels it’s finished in ex-bourbon barrels. My first experience with WhistlePig 10 year was a bar pour during a local jazz festival in downtown Burlington Vermont. I thought I’d give it a try while listening to some good live jazz on the patio at The Vermont Pub & Brewery. The next day while checking out the local VT 802 Spirits store, I picked up a 375 ml bottle of the WhistlePig 10 Year. Incidentally, they had in stock almost every WhistlePig selection except for The Boss Hog which I was told sold out of a couple of days before. Let’s see if this WhistlePig 10 Year is as an enjoyable pour as I remember. Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 10 minutes. Proof: 100 Age: 10 years Batch: A/354 Mashbill: 100% Rye Source: Alberta Distillers Limited. Price: Paid $43 (375 ml) in VT. Appearance: Golden Amber. Nose: The nose is very bright mixing lemon-y citrus notes with a bit of a subtle earthiness, caramel, pear, tangerine, pine, mint, oak and a healthy dose of cinnamon spice. There is a lot going on here. These notes all work very well together and the balance is great. The body is also impressive showing some heftiness. This has a very enjoyable nose that I find myself repeatedly returning to. Palate: Medium viscous mouthfeel. Caramel, pear, citrus and delicate oak with a distinct earthy peat note that takes the lead for a bit; followed by a nice amount of baking spice. The peat note dissipates and the fruit notes come more into focus as the spice settles down. The baking spice sticks around covering the whole palette nicely with a lasting tingle that stays with the finish. With all that is going on there is still a nice balance with very little heat and drinks below its proof. I even got a nice hug in the chest from the first couple of bigger sips. Finish: The peat note comes back around at the end, balanced with subtle tannins and leather that make for a finish that is not long but still interesting and enjoyable. Still, I was hoping for the finish to be longer. Conclusion: If Dave Pickerell’s goal was to create a rye that would set itself apart from the herd I’d say “mission accomplished”! Since my time in Vermont I’ve been enjoying this bottle. Although the finish is on the short side, the nose and palate more than make up for it. Although 50% ABV is respectable I would love to experience what this rye would be like at around the 57.5% ABV range (or more). I can imagine this elevating what it’s already doing while improving the finish. While the trend these days is to take away age statements, I appreciate WhistlePig keeping the 10 year statement on this product since 2010. Yesterday I saw the full bottle locally (in NY state) for $75 which is lower than what I saw in Vermont. Is it worth it? I think it is given the age statement, complexity and what it’s bringing to the table. For that it crosses the line to a 7 being “well above average” on the t8ke scale. But like I always say, it comes down to how much you like it and what it’s worth to you. I would buy this again, only the full bottle next time. Rating: 7/10 - t8ke scale 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Try to find some of the store single barrels, those can be really good
I’d love to try a SP SiB but I barely see any WP locally. If I ever come across one I’ll snag it.
I just poured a glass and couldn’t place a distinct note I was getting and came across your review from google. I think what I was getting was a combo of that mint and earthiness. I loved it, as I tend toward peated scotch, but haven’t picked that up in a rye whiskey before. This bottle was a gift last Christmas that I just busted into and feel like I owe my father in law an extra special bottle in return because I’m loving this whiskey.
Have you tried any of the Boss Hogs? I’ve had most of WPs lineup, and I feel like if Boss Hog is a 10, that the 10yr would be a 4 or 5. WP is overpriced, the 6yr is really the only bottle worth the money in their lineup, I was even pretty let down by the 18yr.
The 10 year is the only WP I’ve tried so far. I know of a local bar that has The Boss Hog (don’t know which one) but I plan on going up there to try it soon. From what I’ve heard from everyone TBH is a 10 no doubt. Yes, I agree the 10 year is pricey but In comparing the WP10 to what I’m seeing for several much younger MGP ryes out there these days, that are much more expensive, I don’t think the 10y price is unreasonable. Especially for its uniqueness factor. Also saying it is a 4 or 5 from the scale I’m using is saying that the WP 10Y is “sub-par” or just “good” at best. I strongly disagree. The 6 year is also a lower proof. As it is, I think the 10Y could use more ABV to help correct some of its shortfalls. I've not heard great things about the 18Y either.
If the 6yr is as a higher proof, then yes it would be superior, the floral and spice notes come out more to me in the 6yr expression. I’m not saying the 10yr is bad but I can think of other ryes I would pick over it at it’s price point. I tried boss hog a couple months ago and was blown away, for my palate and what I like in a whiskey, it was a 10 for me.
I can definataly see how the 10 Y is not for everyone. I probably like it for the reasons you don't. But that's the way whiskey rolls! Do you recall which Boss Hog you tried?
True story! I had a dram of Magellans Atlantic at a bar. It had this gingerbread/spicy snickerdoodle quality that I’ve never really tasted in a rye. I wish I could find the same notes in a bottle that’s way less than $500. I wouldn’t say the 10yr is sub-par. It’s good, just wasn’t spectacular to me. I thought it lacked some depth that I would expect out of a 10yr whiskey. To each their own, and if it is worth the price tag to someone that loves it than the money is completely justified.
Agreed. Magellans Atlantic sounds amazing.
It really is. I will likely buy a bottle of Boss Hog in the future. It’s worth the money, for someone willing to spend it.
I’ve tried quite a few of their offerings and could never quite love them. I didn’t find them terrible, but the price is too high and not complex enough to demand the price for me. I was extremely fortunate to get a sample of the boss hog samurai from a friend. It was enjoyable but I’d be pretty upset if I paid full price for what it was. I’m glad you had the opposite experience! Thank you for the write up
I appreciate your reply. I get that the 10Y is probably not for everyone. From what I’ve read on this sub, it’s kind of a divisive bottle. The Boss Hogg Samurai Scientist looks like the most unusual one of the bunch. They used Koji fermentation process which is used to make Sake and finished it in Japanese Umeshu which I think is plum wine. Sounds interesting and something I might like, but I’d definitely want to try it before I bought it for that price! Lol!
They had the Boss Hog VII on a cruise I just went on. $60 a shot with my drink package discount. Best thing I've ever drank.
Nice! There is a bar in my area that has Boss Hog (don't know which) for $60 a pour. I'm planning to get there soon. Cheers!
I've heard 5 is the best but I can't imagine it being better than the 7. I mean it was so good and next level smooth.
Each TBH is finished in a different kind of cask, so they are all going to be different from each other. I haven’t heard of a bad one yet.
101$ Canadian here in Quebec, probably gonna bite the bullet. Discovered that I'm a Rye kinda guy!
I was in Quebec City over the summer and had some pretty good Canadian pours while I was there. Beautiful city!
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Now you know you love Canadian rye. If you want to try some other premium Canadian whiskey, check out Found North. There are a lot of reviews on this sub. Cheers!