WhistlePig Old World Series Sauternes Finish Rye 12 Year
Rye
WhistlePig // Indiana (bottled in Vermont), USA
This Sauternes barrel-finished whiskey from WhistlePig is the first in its Old World series, a trio of wine-cask-finished 12-year-old ryes.
Sauternes, a sweet French white wine, has a delicacy that sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from the bold, brawny rye, which is made in Indiana from 95% rye and 5% malted barley, but the wine’s flavors have an impressive impact on the whiskey.
This Sauternes barrel-finished whiskey from WhistlePig is the first in its Old World series, a trio of wine-cask-finished 12-year-old ryes. Sauternes, a sweet French white wine, has a delicacy that sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from the bold, brawny rye, which is made in Indiana from 95% rye and 5% malted barley, but the wine’s flavors have an impressive impact on the whiskey.
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age12 Year
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Cost
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abv45.0
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RyeUnlike bourbon, rye whiskey can be made anywhere in the world. But if made in the US, the mash bill recipe must be at least 51% rye and it must be aged in new, charred oak barrels with no age requirement. Elsewhere, the rye whiskey will be made keeping the country of origin's rules regarding the recipe and minimum aging.
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Cask Typenew, charred American oak; finished in ex-Sauternes casks
Tasting Notes
"This powerful yet elegant rye offers a dramatic welcome with sweet aromas that scream: concentrated red licorice. Water settles the intensity, bringing a tang to the sweetness, evoking blackberries and cranberries. Let it sit long enough and a toasted cedar note pushes through. The sweetness evolves from berries to honey and dry nuts on the palate, but the cedar that comes late on the nose makes a sneaky return to sabotage the finish with a peppery flourish. "