WhistlePig 13 Year Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey
Selection by Dekalb Bottle House, Atlanta GA
Barrel 3323
60.5% ABV
$90
Website
What the Bottler Says:
(Note – what follows is what they say about WhistlePig 10 Year Straight Rye; the Private Selection program allows for a custom label, but includes the “10 Year” age statement despite samples being older. This particular barrel was 13 years old)
The spirit of entrepreneurship.
Fortune, superb taste, and hustle lead us to the discovery of an aged Rye Whiskey stock in Alberta, Canada. We rescued the stock from misuse as a blending whiskey, aged it in new American Oak with a bourbon barrel finish, then hand-bottled this rye on its own. We’re honored to present the most awarded Rye Whiskey in the world.
NOSE: Allspice, orange peel, anise, oak, char and caramel
PALATE: Sweet; hints of caramel and vanilla, followed by ryespice and mint
FINISH: Long finish; warm butterscotch and caramel.
What Gary Says:
Nose: Rich salted caramel with toasted lemon zest, charred oak, pine needles, dried dill, hint of mint, thyme, cinnamon, and orange essence.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel with a lovely warm sweetness, caramel with chocolate orange, allspice, a bit of cinnamon, some ginger and pepper spice.
Finish: Long with notes of caramel and minty pepper spice.
Comments: Considering the WhistlePig 10 Yr 100 proof is only $15 less than this was, this was a no-brainer to pick up without having tried it. You don’t see 13 yr cask strength ryes for under $100 anymore. This is the 2nd cask strength private selection of WhistlePig that I’ve had, and both were damn delicious. 100 proof is nothing to sneeze at, but the extra 10% ABV plus a few more years does some lovely things to this whiskey. I’m sure this is long since sold out, but if you see a private pick that is reasonably priced and you’re a fan of rye whiskey – I’d recommend grabbing it.