Today’s review is somewhat of a cult favorite. WhistlePig Straight Rye. WhistlePig distillery was founded in 2007. This rye was distilled and aged in Vermont. Do the colder northeast temperatures affect the aging process?
WhistlePig Straight Rye is aged 10 years, is 100 proof, sells for around $85 for the 750ml, comes in a cool-looking corked bottle, and can be found in most nicer liquor stores. Besides being from Vermont, it also states that it is made with 100% rye, both of which are somewhat rare.
So, is WhistlePig Straight Rye a good drink and a good buy, or do they have a really good marketing department? Let’s find out.
NOSE
Matt: I can definitely smell the rye along with spice, and citrus. coming behind that is a grassy ethanol-type aroma. A cube didn’t make much difference.
Todd: Yes, I get the rye and citrus as well, but also some toffee and vanilla. With ice, the citrus became more defined, lemon.
TASTE
Matt: Rye and a fruitiness up front. Slightly behind that was the spice I got on the nose, which I now identify as cloves, and the citrus that I also got on the nose. Lastly, a bit of a floral taste.
Todd: Slightly musty with pepper and rye up front. Oddly, I can taste the grass that Matt smelled. Secondary taste includes orange that took the place of the lemon I got on the nose. A little harsh for me, but a cube helped.
FINISH
Matt: Medium long with a nice burn and a slight bitterness.
Todd: Long, hot with more of the mustiness. Also got a little of the bitterness that Matt mentioned.
OVERALL
Matt: I like it, nice nose, and good taste. My only complaint would be that it is a little too hot. For that type of money, I expect a smoother drink.
Todd: I agree about the hotness, I have drunk caste strengths that were smoother with less burn. I was not as impressed as Matt. Not saying it was necessarily bad, just in my mind not worth the price.
Nose 4.25 out of 5
Taste 7.25 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Final score 15.5 out of 20 barrels.
We don’t always see eye to eye and that is certainly the case here. Since there is no consensus, we recommend trying WhistlePig Straight Rye yourself. If money is an issue, try finding it at a really nice bar or lounge where you can just buy a glass of it. It does make a good cocktail but seems a tad bit expensive to be mixed.
All and all, if you like your rye to be little on the harsher side, and we have friends that do, give this Vermont-based rye a try. If nothing else, it is cool to be able to offer to guests.