WhistlePig 15 Year Estate Oak Rye

Abv 46% Very oaky, spicy, tobacco, leather, orange zest

Delicious

Very oaky, earthy tones, similar flavors to the 10 year but stronger. Stronger bite on the finish. Not worth the premium over 10 year

Nose - peppermint, pine, clove, anise, cinnamon, lemon and grapefruit zest, pineapple, cocoa, leather, barrel char, menthol, rye bread, graham cracker, marshmallow, peanut butter, green apple, black tea, honey, white pepper, vanilla, butterscotch, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - peppermint, sweet and spicy oak, marshmallow, pine, licorice, cinnamon, clove, graham cracker, dark chocolate, rye bread, butterscotch, barrel char, leather, tobacco, honey, vanilla, ginger, black pepper, apple, moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with dark chocolate, spearmint, and sweet and spicy oak flavors. The 15 year has more depth of flavor and a thicker, oilier mouthfeel than the rest of the WhistlePig line I’ve tasted. The nose is softer than the others, with some cocoa, peanut, and marshmallow aromas to differentiate it from the 10 and 12 year old expressions. Understated, but very pleasant indeed. Similarly, the palate lets you know it’s obviously a WhistlePig, but again there’s greater depth, with dark chocolate, graham cracker, and leather flavors making an appearance. I’m actually getting a bit of an Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vibe going on here, albeit not nearly as sweet and s’moresy, but I think the multiple cask types involved may have something to do with that. This concludes my WhistlePig series. I think the 15 year slightly edges out the other offerings I reviewed. Unfortunately, the price insanity is raised to a whole new level with this one. It’s $250 a bottle near me, which is astronomical for the age and quality you’re getting. Better to try this as a sample than to buy a bottle.

Sweet vanilla caramel on the nose, burnt sugar sweetness lead to spicy rye on the taste and a strong oak finish. Delicious and surprisingly mellow for 56%