Well, after a bit of a hiatus due to family issues, I’m working my way back to writing reviews. I haven’t drank as much over the last 2-3 weeks, but I’ve got plenty of notes to choose from over the last month or so. This was a special sample sent to me from a new trading partner out of Arizona: Whistlepig Single Barrel 13 Year Old Rye. It’s bottled at 112.7 proof and is sourced from Canada instead of the usual suspect- Indiana’s MGP distillery. It was finished in ex-bourbon casks before being sold to a local, Arizona liquor store. Price, I believe, was around $100. It’s a beautiful, copper and amber and looks quite watery for such high proof. Thin legs and heavy drops run down the Glencairn after a vigorous spin. The nose starts out a bit muted, with spice cake, cocoa powder, brown sugar and spicy peppers. There’s an interesting lack of dill note here, which is nice IMO. Letting it set only releases more oak and pepper and causes it to lose the sweeter aspects. Give it 5-6 minutes and dive on in. The palate just shines with complexity: toffee, caramel, tea leaves and barrel wood form a deeply rich thickness. Some lighter citrus arrive around mid sip and provide a little bite. The high ABV is hidden so well- which is something I seem to relate to almost every Canadian whiskey I’ve had. Normally, I think that hurts most Canadian stuff, but definitely not here- this just tastes wonderful. There’s warmth, sure, but it’s so rich and delightful that it just feels perfect. The finish is long and a little biting, and that’s the only point I can take away from a near-perfect score. It just brings things to a slightly shocking end- I was expecting a smoothness that just went on and on, but lingering cocoa and caramel keep the whiskey on your mind (and tongue) and just make you want to go back for more. Overall, this is a gem of a rye whiskey. Delicious, rich and a very rewarding experience. The bite at the end just robs the ending ever so slightly. It’s still a very nice dram. Thanks, @dubz480. Good stuff. 4.5 stars. Cheers.