WhistlePig 12 Year Old Bespoke Barrel Rye
Straight Rye Whiskey Aged in Cognac Cask
43% ABV
$170
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What the Bottle Says
Bottled Exclusively for Total Wine & More
What Gary Says
Nose: Cognac, grapey, cedar, oak, soft spices with dill, subtle lemon zest and a hint of anise.
Palate: Soft, floral, caramel, mandarin orange, vanilla, light spice with mint and cinnamon, grapes and a bit of pepper.
Finish: Moderately long, drying with orange zest and cognac.
Comments: This is an interesting dram. At first I misunderstood and thought this was ‘cognac finished’ (and I’m not sure if that isn’t the case, since I don’t think you could label it ‘straight rye’ unless it was aged in new oak for at least the first two years). No idea how long this was in a cognac cask, but the nose is heavily cognac influenced. The palate isn’t as sharp as a typical rye, although the low 43% ABV is a factor. It absolutely has that family resemblence to what I expect are its Canadian rye whiskey roots – which is a good thing in my book. Not sure I’d pay the retail price for this, but if someone is offering me a pour – I’d gladly accept. Complex, layered, well balanced (if heavy cognac on the nose, it is better balanced on the palate), and delicious neat.