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.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye has been a bit of an oddball in the rye world. While originally released years ago, Wild Turkey has struggled to keep it on shelves over the years. It went from being widely available, to allocated, to only available in bars and restaurants, to being found only as a much more expensive 1 liter only bottle. But as rye is becoming big business in North America, Wild Turkey is back in the game.

Michter’s 21 Barrel Strength Rye comes to market two years after Michter’s last Barrel Strength Rye release, making this one of the hottest releases of 2021 so far. With a full body of rye spice, and a healthy 108.8 proof, this looks - on paper - to be an excellent expression from the one of the smaller distillers in Kentucky. Let’s jump in and see if worth the hype of some of the previous releases.

Often overlooked by its older and higher proof brother Pikesville, Rittenhouse has soldiered on under the radar, boasting a fabulous price point and widespread availability. Should this only be reserved for cocktails, or is this a sipper in its own right?

This barely legal rye whiskey has been making waves for its high proof, big flavors, and accessibility across the country. It’s sometimes good to remember that while hunting rare bottles can be fun, sometimes the best pours are the ones that you can find every day!