Best Whistlepig Rye Whiskey

Last Updated on: 25th April 2024, 04:41 pm

Discover the differences between Whistlepig Whiskeys in this in-depth comparison and decide which is the best Whistlepig.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Whistlepig

Best for Old Fashioned and Cocktails who Want a Spicy & Sweet Rye:

• WhistlePig Piggyback Rye: This rye offers a sweet nose with surprising anise and rye spice. While a little thin on its own, it makes a great base for cocktails due to its well-balanced spice and caramel notes.

For Rye Whiskey Newbies Who Want to Try a 100% Rye:

• WhistlePig 10: This 100% rye whiskey offers a good introduction to the style with notes of honey, caramel, rye spice, and a touch of citrus. The high proof delivers a punch but minimal burn.

For Those Who Want a Richer and Sweeter Rye Experience:

• WhistlePig 12: This 95% rye whiskey uses unique casks for aging, resulting in a sweeter profile with notes of brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and a touch of rye spice. It’s a good option for those who find traditional rye too spicy.

For Adventurous Rye Drinkers Who Want a Smooth and Unique Rye:

• WhistlePig 15: This 100% rye whiskey breaks the mold with a surprisingly sweet and floral profile. Notes of oak, vanilla, leather, and floral honey create a complex and smooth experience.

For Rye Aficionados Who Enjoy Oaky Character:

• WhistlePig 18: This rye features a bold oak presence throughout, with notes of leather, vanilla, and lemon. The long finish is dominated by oak and vanilla with a touch of bitterness. This is a good choice for those who appreciate a strong oak influence.

A Caveat:

• WhistlePig rye whiskeys tend to be on the pricier side. Be sure to consider your budget when making a selection.

I hope this helps you find the perfect WhistlePig rye for your taste!

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Piggyback Rye: Spicy & Sweet for Cocktails

• Nose: Caramel, rye spice, anise, mint
• Palate: Rye spice, apple, caramel, cardamom
• Finish: Short, rye spice, old leather
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

WhistlePig Piggyback rye offers a sweet nose with surprising anise and rye spice. The taste is a bit thin, balancing spice with hints of apple and butterscotch. The finish is warm with a quick fade of spice.

Enjoy it over ice to tame the heat – this rye is designed for crafting top-shelf cocktails. While its price pushes the limits for mixers, the convenient bartender-friendly bottle makes it a contender.

Overall, Piggyback is a decent rye to make cocktails, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

100% Rye Delight: Whistlepig 10

• Nose: Honey, caramel, cinnamon
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, rye spice, oak, citrus
• Finish: Short, rye spice, cardamom, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Whistlepig 10, a unique 100% rye whiskey, hits with a sweet nose of honey, caramel, and cinnamon. It packs a rye spice punch that evolves to reveal vanilla, oak, and citrus with a touch of alcohol. The finish is moderately long but loses complexity quickly, leaving a salty trace.

The high proof offers minimal burn, and water can coax out more aroma and tame the spice.

A good option for those who want to try a 100% rye whiskey at a high-proof.

Related: Best 10-Year-Old Bourbons

Whistlepig 12: Rich & Spicy Rye Twist

• Nose: Caramel, earth, vanilla
• Palate: Brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove
• Finish: Caramel, rye spice, peppermint
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water, rocks

Whistlepig 12 takes rye in a new direction. This 95% rye whiskey uses Madeira, Sauternes, and Port casks for “Old World” aging, resulting in a sweet caramel aroma with vanilla and earthy hints. The taste is a welcome change from the 10-year-old, boasting a fuller body with flavors of brown sugar, warm spices like nutmeg and clove, and a rye spice kick reminiscent of fruit cake.

This smooth rye leans sweeter than usual, offering a rich and flavorful experience.

Whistlepig 15: Sweet & Smooth Rye for Rye Curious

• Nose: Oak, vanilla, leather
• Palate: Caramel, floral, rye spice, vanilla
• Finish: Long, oak, tobacco, cardamom
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water, rocks

Whistlepig 15 breaks rye whiskey conventions. The nose is like a long-aged Scotch, offering oak and leather notes. But the taste takes a surprising turn – sweet, rich honeysuckle dominates, mimicking floral honey, alongside balanced rye spice.

This 100% rye whiskey feels surprisingly soft and pleasantly warm on the palate. The finish lingers with toasty oak, tobacco, and spice, with minimal burn.

While some experts may find the sweetness and floral notes unexpected for a rye, it’s exceptionally smooth and a significant improvement over the 12-year. This unique profile makes it a standout among 15-year-old whiskies for adventurous rye drinkers.

Whistlepig 18: Oak-Forward Rye for Aficionados

• Nose: Oak, leather, lemon, orange
• Palate: Oak spice, rye spice, leather, vanilla
• Finish: Long, vanilla, oak
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water, rocks

Whistlepig 18 takes a bold turn with oak. The nose starts strong with oak and leather, slowly revealing hints of lemon and orange. The taste mirrors this – an initial punch of oak and rye spice gives way to a balance of old leather, vanilla, and lemon. The finish is lengthy, dominated by oak and vanilla with a touch of oaky bitterness.

While this rye caters to those who enjoy prominent oak character, it might overshadow other flavors for some drinkers.

Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD

Whisky	Price
Piggyback	$55
10-Year Old Rye	$90
12-Year Old World Cask Finish Rye	$140
15-Year Estate Oak Rye	$250
18-Year Double Malt Rye	$440

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Whistlepig’s Place in the Whiskey World

• Primary Category: Recognized as a rye whiskey, not bourbon.
• Distinctive Flavor Profile: Known for its spicy, grassy, and subtly spearmint notes, differing from bourbon’s sweetness.

The Selection Process for Evaluating Whistlepig

• Expert Reviews: Gathering insights from established bourbon critics.
• Personal Taste Testing: Evaluations based on firsthand tasting experiences.
• Consumer Insights: Collecting opinions from a broad range of whiskey enthusiasts.