WhistlePig The Boss Hog IV: The Black Prince

I'd give this a 4.0+ for taste, knocked back for the crazy MSRP. I gave this very high marks when I tried it at the SF Whiskey Fest in 2017. I've had it a couple of times since then, and it stands up well when it's the only CS rye of a lineup... but when you start comparing it head to head with other rich ryes, it loses some steam. I did this side-by-side with the Booker's Rye, and it was clear the Booker's is head and shoulders above the Black Price. (Freudian slip on the typo, but decided to leave it.)

More my speed. Spicy with some nut on the nose and just spicy all the way through the tasting. Delightful rye, but again for $450... not worth it

I decided to buy myself an early birthday present and so here we are. I cannot understate how beautiful the color of this whiskey is. When I think of the color "amber" this is exactly what I expect. I also cannot understate how heavy the pewter topper is on this thing. Anyways. Wow. This is genuinely unlike anything else I have ever tried in any whiskey category and I feel any distillary would be hard pressed to mimic it unless they too had some Armagnac casks laying around. When you think of this as a rye (which it is) you think major spice but the balance of the Armagnac (brandy) barrels really balances this out into something special. I had to hunt for it but the MGP dill and mint is present on the nose adding another layer of nuance to this insanely well done rye. This just hits the rich, sweet, fruity, spicy flavors all at once. Is it worth the price of admission? That's your call. If you can go in with some friends to split a bottle, do it (and trust the one storing it) or buy a dram if you can find it at a watering hole. 4.75/5

STRONG finish but smooth and great. a real ride.