K&L Swine Merchants: WhistlePig Exclusives – Whiskey News
Rye Whiskey at Its Best: Hand-Selected Casks Direct from WhistlePig
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When it comes to artisanally-crafted rye whiskey, you won’t do much better than WhistlePig. Since its founding back in 2007, this Vermont-based distiller has quickly become the go-to choice for rye aficionados worldwide. There are plenty of reasons for this, but chief among them is the raw potency these whiskeys possess. These are no-nonsense bottlings that beautifully highlight the robust, spicy character of rye while at the same time offering unparalleled smoothness. As the distillery puts it, they are a linebacker and a ballerina all rolled into one.
WhistlePig’s barrel program is notable for its size and consistency; hence it is always thrilling to pick out some exclusive casks for our customers. This duo might be the best to date, as they offer the signature WhistlePig profile, yet each has its own unique twist. Spicy and potent, they are wonderfully layered and complex—the kind of contemplative whiskeys that collectors so love. The unparalleled quality, coupled with the limited number of bottles produced, means these won’t be around for long. If you’ve purchased our WhistlePig exclusives before, you know these are a rare treat and among the finer examples of craft whiskey in the market today.
WhistlePig offers one of the most extensive rye barrel programs in the country and with some of the very best whiskey available it has won award after award for its innovation. The newest addition to the barrel lineup is the 15 Year Vermont Estate Oak Finished. Vermont oak trees from the WhistlePig farm in Shoreham, VT are harvested and made into custom barrels for finishing. The growing season in Vermont is short and this results in an incredibly tight grained wood (more rings in each stave). The already ancient 15 year old whiskey spends an additional 6+ months in the custom toasted and charred barrels. The end result? An incredibly intense whiskey that is amped up to 11. The cask strength bottling can handle a fair bit of water. When you add it, a substantial oil slick will form in your whiskey adding visual proof to the intensity of flavor. 100% Rye. Distilled in Alberta.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2020
Yielding just 132 precious bottles, barrel #2440 possesses a deeper and sweeter caramel nose than barrel #2483. Its vanilla component sits right on top of the glass inviting you in, surely a sign of the estate oak’s influence on the ancient rye. An herbal component hides underneath the sweetness, a gentle and easy-going pickling spice hinting at the complexity in your glass. That gentle start is challenged in a big way when you take a sip at full strength (57.8%ABV). Its massive spice explodes across your tongue and bounces from sweet cinnamon to herbal dill and pepper then back again to nutmeg and allspice. Taking in the finish you feel as if you’ve run a race and need a moment to recover. After a pause and a deep breath, you have and you’re ready for another go. A big whisky from one of the biggest names in craft production.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 01, 2020
The nose is almost reversed from cask #2440. Barrel #2483 begins with more dill, oregano, tarragon on top. It’s herbal and a bit green with an underlying sweet oak that you have to dive into to discover fully. The palate is a bit richer and fuller-bodied than its sister barrel with a good balance between sweet and savory notes. It fills every nook and cranny of your mouth quickly and then it sits there. You taste it from the tops of your gums all the way to the back of your palate for a good 30 seconds. Not just feeling the 57.9% ABV, but each moment releasing more flavors. The lingering finish is all maple syrup and caramel candies. A beauty of a cask. These barrels are why we go back to the proverbial well on the farm in Shoreham over and over again.
