It’s been a hot minute. The quest to hit 300 by the end of the year isn’t looking to hot anymore. Still, first whisky since the 8th of July, I have been waiting patiently and hopefully some locally produced goods hit the mark tonight. Whipper Snapper is a very small independantly run distillery just outside the Perth city centre. Starting out producing ‘Upshot’ a cute take on traditional bourbon style whisky they have done well for themselves. Accolades, for what they’re worth, have been given by the World Whisky Awards for their grain whiskies, both Wheat and Rye now have won the top gong in their categories. The wheat belt series that includes Wheat, Rye, and now a Single Malt Barley are intended to showcase the heritage of Western Australian farmers and premium grain provenance. Born from Whipper Snappers connection to the Western Australian Wheatbelt Rye in this liquid comes from the Fuchsbichlers. The family farmers, originally from Emmering in Bavaria, grow a unique heirloom German Rye. Now into the fourth generation of growers, the Fuchsbichlers continue to grow the heritage rye first planted in 1911. Whipper Snappers rye whiskey has a high ratio of rye at 85% (with 15% malted barely) believing it to be a true reflection of the Western Australian environment and the heritage of the 100 + year-old grain. The whisky was aged for 4+ years in charred, virgin American Oak barrels. N: Thick, oozing rye spice with clove, cardamon, molasses, dark cherry and citrus zest. Menthol quality comes out the longer I sit with it. P: Medium body that gains presence through the palate. Star anise, cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, buttery caramel, soft vanilla. Fresh crisp and juicy stone fruit and apple bring some brightness. F: Long. Ginger and heavily perfumed cardamon just stick around beyond what should be considered reasonable. Slightly oily and perhaps the vaguest notion of a whisper of salt? Whatever is there, this just keeps lasting… I am pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a spicy bomb of a rye, indeed that is definitely here. What I wasn’t expecting though was bright and softening influences of virgin wood that added creaminess through vanilla and buttery caramel. Nor was I expecting the juicy crunch of fresh fruit. I certainly didnt expect myself to be thinking that this is on par with Archie Roses Rye. In some respects Whipper Snappers is easier to sink into and more ‘enjoyable’ but its also maybe with a little roughness in the endless spice and with just a touch of thinness of palate that you could quibble over. This is still excellent though, and with a nice touch of ‘terroir’ and authenticity about it. Distiller whisky taste #282 [Pictured here with a Toodyay Quartzite. Toodyay is a town about 85 km east of Perth in the Wheatbelt Region of Western Australia. This Quartzite is a well known rock in Perth, being used as dimension and flagging stones across the city. The rock cleaves into sheets due to the presence of thin green fuchsite mica layers throughout the metamorphosed sandstone (quartzite).] Whipper Snapper Running Scores Crazy Uncle Moonshine: 3/5 Crazy Uncle Barrel Aged Moonshine: 3.25/5 Upshot: 3.5/5 Upshot Cask Strength: 3.5/5 Upshot Red Corn: 3.25/5 Project Q: 3.25 Wheat Belt Series Wheat: 3.75/5 Wheat Belt Series Rye: 4.25/5