Whistlepig 6 Year Piggyback Rye Review
In-Depth Review
Since its beginning, Whistlepig has occupied the top end of the rye whiskey market. With expressions like their 15 year, 18 year, and Boss Hog Editions normally retailing from anywhere from $200 to $600, these aren’t the everyman’s kind of rye whiskey. But in an attempt to broaden its appeal, Whistlepig has introduced a few expressions that are aimed towards a more mainstream buyer.
One of those expressions is this 6 year Piggyback Rye which features a 100% rye mashbill, a solid 96.56 proof, and a mission to take your cocktails up to the next level. Whistlepig is pretty clear in its description that this is designed for bartenders and cocktails – going so far as to adjust the shape of the bottle to make it easier for bartenders to hold. This was also the last expression that Dave Pickerell was involved in (RIP) and features a small tribute to him on the bottle in the form of his signature Stetson hat. But at $50, is this a rye worth getting excited about? Let’s dive in to find out.
Age: 6 Years
ABV: 48.28%
Cask: American oak
MSRP: $50.00
Distillery Name: Whistlepig Distillery
Review Date: 12/20/22
Color: Light Gold
Nose: Baked apples, lemon peel, and a bouquet of white flowers starts us off on the nose. It’s sweet, floral, and reminds me a bit of lemon scented Pledge. Underneath there’s a touch of minerality and fresh cracked black pepper. It’s an unusual nose but feels at home for Whistlepig.
Palate: My initial pour of this started off very earthy. With notes of petrichor, white pepper, and artificial lemon. But after letting the bottle open up for a few days, I have come back to it to find its much sweeter, softer, and shows off a bit more of the wood than when first tasted. Now, there are notes of vanilla, lemongrass, and spiced milk chocolate replacing the overwhelming earthiness I first experienced. The front of the palate features more of the sweeter note while the back of the palate and the finish shows off its spicy side. Even at 96.56 proof and with a 100% rye mashbill, the rye spice or heat never becomes overpowering, and instead at times feels more like a barely legal rye. Mouthfeel is good but the palate lacks a little bit of oomph.
Finish: Medium length finish that finally shows off that classic rye spice. There is more spearmint and clove adding a bit of zing that makes up for the soft palate.
Final Thoughts: Honestly, 100% ryes are not my favorite pours (neither are 95/5 ryes) as I tend to find too much of an earthy character that I don’t enjoy. But for me, this Piggyback Rye is a classic example of allowing a whiskey to breathe a bit before coming back to it. At first, it felt earthy, muddy and a bit of a mess. But even a few days of oxidation allowed the flavors here to bloom. It softened out, brought out a sweeter body, and added a more interesting spicy finish. While still not my favorite, this feels perfectly in line with the rest of the Whistlepig core lineup. So if you do enjoy the 10, 12, or 15 year expressions but can’t justify daily drinking those expensive bottles – this one may be for you. I just know that for $50, I would be picking up a Pikesville all day.
