WhistlePig 10 Year Single Barrel Rye

Review #021 Type: rye Proof: 53% Comments: aged 10 years, American oak barrel maturation, from barrel 50112 Tasted after: WhistlePig 6 Year Piggyback Rye Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 14/20 Rye spice dominates, but there’s also apples, mushy bananas, vanilla, and a little must that reminds me of cardboard boxes. Palate: 33/40 Rye spice, cinnamon, a little cayenne pepper heat, orange zest, and a hint of honey. Finish: 30/40 Medium finish. A medium alcohol burn accompanies molasses, big floral and pollen notes, and black pepper that slowly changes to salt. The ending flavors in my mouth remind me of having just swallowed cough syrup. With Water: A drop of water turns up the cinnamon and spice flavors, and decreases some of the botanical notes in the finish. Total: 77/100 Final thoughts: The best part of this dram is the palate, the finish is complex to be sure but I personally don’t love the way the flavors meld together. Price: taste from a friend’s bottle Would recommend: no Would buy: no Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Honey, very light Rye, sugar, caramel, honey on the nose. Very spicy, sweet and heavy rye taste. Overall very very good.