WhistlePig 6 Year PiggyBack Rye

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.

Good, kinda sweetish.

More citrus than 10 year.

My go to for an old-fashioned!