WhistlePig 6 Year PiggyBack Rye

Ok so really like the 10 yr. As a 100% rye WP tastes completely different from the standard MGP 95 profile. This was gifted to me by an awesome co-worker whose hubby is in the liquor biz(much appreciated). Piggyback is obviously a younger version of the vaunted 10 yr and that is not a bad thing. It still carries the wonderful full richness of the 10 but allows for more youthful flavor punch and ethanol heat. This is designed for mixing according to WP but lets face it straight up its still a delight. Notes are similar to my WP10 review with maybe a bit more caramel sweetness and less overall sophistication and complexity but the relation is obvious. Great strategy to put out an affordable entry to draw people into the brand.............84/100..... If you enjoy rye buy this as a budget 10 yr

- [ ] Spicy - [ ] Vanilla nose - [ ] Caramel nose light - [ ] Herbal after taste - [ ] Mild heat - [ ] Sharp alcohol taste at the end

Whistlepig Piggyback 6 Year/Sampled Neat in Glencairn 01/24/20 Nose: COMPLEX. All those great herbaceous Rye notes that I love in plentiful supply. Grapefruit Peel, Clove, Black Licorice, Mint, Pine Sap, Hops, Red Apple, Dill, and Polished Oak. I could nose this one for hours. Floral Notes and Fresh Baked Rye Bread develop. Several mysterious notes that I can't quite pin down. Over time it takes on a Dry and Dusty character. One of the better noses I've experienced recently. Neat: Not as complex as the nose, but still lots going on. There is a light Cola-ish sweetness on the entry, but it yields to a slight bitterness reminiscent of a grapefruity dry IPA or slightly bitter coffee tempered with a little cream. Eucalyptus and Sweet Mint paired with Light Oak. The mouthfeel is buttery, almost creamy. After a few sips, Salted Caramel shows up. There is a pleasant Peppery quality throughout that intensifies on the finish, leaving behind a coating of slightly Musty Rye, Dill and Sweet Oak. Splash: A few drops of water amplifies those late developing Florals on the nose. The palate gets a hint of Cocoa Nibs. In the margins of my notes I've written "Dr Pepper", but not sure if that was pre- or post-splash. Verdict: Got surprised in the mail yesterday by a pre-paid Visa that was part of a rebate from a recent tire purchase. I had been looking at this one on the shelf for a while and was hesitant to drop $50 on it, but since Yokohama was paying I said "What the Hell?". I had come to the conclusion that for me, neat rye consumption was best when the mash bill was in the 51% to 75% range. Those 95/5's that I used to enjoy just weren't in my wheelhouse anymore. This is the exception to that rule. Unbelievably complex with equal parts spice and sweet. I know this was crafted with bartenders and craft cocktails in mind, but I can't imagine mixing this it is so good neat. Makes me wonder about WP's other offerings. Maybe they are worth the price? If you are a rye fan, this one comes with my highest recommendation.