WhistlePig 10 Year Rye Shelf Review

Shelf Review

Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.

WhistlePig distillery, located in rural Vermont, could be easily confused with just another one of the hundreds of craft producers that have popped up in neighborhoods across America over the last decade. But this group of Rye enthusiasts backed by the late Dave Pickerall have larger ambitions than most. They focus on one thing – rye whiskey. They aim to take this often overlooked grain, and turn into the next great revolution in American spirits. And what the team at WhistlePig have accomplished on their converted dairy farm has put the American whiskey world on notice.  

With a wide range of whiskies that include 6, 10, 12, and 15-year expressions (not to mention their top of the range Boss Hog brand), WhistlePig has created a cult following around the world. And for many rye whiskey lovers, their products have redefined the entire category. For some, WhistlePig is the best rye being made in the country. So with that in mind, I grabbed a few 50ml versions of their core range (10-year, 12-year, and 15-year) so I could dive in and explore. Today, I will start with the 10-year.

Age: 10 Years

ABV: 50%

Cask: Aged in new white oak, finished in ex-bourbon barrels

MSRP: $80

Distillery Name: WhistlePig Distillery

Review Date: 7/14/21

Nose: Minty, earthy, with wood spice and hints of chamomile and lavender. Sweet honey, notes of evergreen pine round out a multi-layered nose that eschews decent heat.

Palate: Immediately hits with warming rye spice that allows the heat to punch above its proof. On the front of the palate, juicy fruits, caramel sweetness, and notes of vanilla give way to spearmint, clove and anise on the back of the palate. Softer than I was expecting with a lighter mouthfeel than 100% rye would lead you to believe.

Finish: Medium to long finish with more spice and the heat cranked up a notch higher than the palate. Effervescent, sinus clearing heavy rye spice on the finish that overpowers almost everything else.

Score: 87 

Would I buy again? There’s no doubt that WhistlePig 10 is a good pour. It’s a rollercoaster of flavors on the palate, a complex nose, and a medium to long finish. But I won’t be grabbing another bottle – even as people are flocking to the WhistlePig hype train. The rye flavors seem to dominate here, with pine, mint, and earthy flavors that put me off slightly. And with prices in some stores closer to $100 for a 10-year sourced product, I struggle to recommend this. To some people, WhistlePig products are worth the higher MSRPs. But when I pour a rye, I tend to like a little more sweetness, a little less mint, and a significantly lower price.