It’s December 15, and I’m going to try a new rye whiskey every day this month. And while my rye game is not as weak as my Scotch game was this time last year, I’m always up for suggestions on good rye whiskies. And now that I have goals (it’s good to have goals), there are some key players I could use your help finding. Send me your most intense contender. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (3/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10, Whistlepig 12) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. I want a raunchy rye. I want the one that tastes like the moment you realize that your new career may require the occasional Eigen decomposition. Pretty sure I made a promise to Gandalf that I’d never do one of those again. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<< And now the moment I’ve all been waiting for: this final little piggy in my piglet pack. But first, a word from my sponsor: basic math. This little piggy pack cost me $20. It had 3 50mL bottles: this 15 year, the 12, and the 10. If I were to buy the full bottle, the retail in my area for tonight’s whiskey alone is $389. 750mL = 50mL x 15 $20 x 15 = $300 If I were able to buy 15 of these piglet packs, I would get the equivalent of the full 750 mL bottle, save $89, and get a “free” full bottle equivalent of the 10 and the 12. Not to mention enough mini Whistlepig bottles to make an adorable whiskey-themed checkers game… which… typing that just now made me realize I have to make someday. Guys… this little piggy pack (up to scale) would save you over $250 compared to buying the bottles individually. That… doesn’t make sense. And all this math and board game planning has made me thirsty. Nose has pears, apple, sugar, flowers. Possibly the $10 bouquet this time. I think there’s some baby’s breath in there. Seriously though: this smells phenomenal. Body is more of the pear and apple. I can see citrus. It’s juicy. They did these fruity notes to perfection. There’s also chocolate, but the fruity notes are center stage. Finish brings a mild black pepper, but it’s still sweeter than it is spicy. There’s also a mild dust. The flavors on the body don’t go anywhere on this finish, and they build up and become the dominant notes as you go back for more. I could also see watermelon here. This is brilliant. Is it worth $389? I’m honestly not sure. I’ve made worse decisions. I don’t think so, but I think I’d pay $200 without blinking. At $389, I’m not going to count this as a permanent shelf member. Nonetheless, so far it’s the best new whiskey I’ve tried this December. Irrespective of your feelings on the full bottle’s price, the value you get from this piglet pack is insane. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s a $20 experience you deserve. Treat yourself.