WhistlePig 6 Year PiggyBack Bourbon

Despite how difficult it usually is to find Whistlepig products, I continuously see this new bourbon in some of the worst liquor stores in Ohio, but ironically not so much the Piggyback rye. I think Whistlepig trying a bourbon is a great idea, especially to round out the market while still staying true to their rye specialty. Having said that, I hope that this is one of their very few products that isn't sourced, so we can finally see what the distillery is capable of other than buying and bottling other distilleries products. Even still, 6 years and 100 proof on a bourbon is a pretty decent combo, and may have some legs to stand against some other craft distilleries, so long as the "super high" corn mash bill doesn't overpower on the sweet side. #3 charred barrels seems like a great choice to even out some sweetness, though, while still providing the classic bourbon taste notes. Finally, the large, out-of-place "100%" in gold print on the back label has absolutely no context and makes no sense, but is very negligible if the liquid inside distracts enough. The color is quite light upon first glance, but not too far off considering the char and age time used. The nose is definitely full of sweet and candy, like those homemade chocolate or caramel bourbon balls you can find at some craft distilleries or even during the tours. Some of the raw corn can also be detected, but is not as harsh as much younger bourbons. The ethanol is hot, but doesn't burn through the nose, and is very well balanced. This same ethanol makes it very difficult to detect any rye, and without an actual mash bill, I can only hope the taste gives more insight. The body is extremely light at first, tasting weaker than most 80 proof products, but becomes spicier after a few more sips. The sweetness that was smelled is still here, but is much less potent alongside the light body; the chocolate is prominent, next to vanilla and some caramel. The rye is not tasted on the tongue, but instead inside a medium penetration of the gums long after the finish. Speaking of finish, it's full of semi-dry oak and somehow some malt that causes the end flavor to be more like a single-malt or blended whiskey that's been finished in several different bourbon barrels to concentrate that flavor aspect. All things considered, this costs a little bit more than what I would expect for a baseline, flagship craft distillery whiskey, and yet it delivers considerably less of an experience even if it were priced appropriately. The Piggyback line had already been established by this brand as their mixing whiskey, but whereas the rye whiskey nails this expectation and then some, the bourbon is far too weak to enjoy neat, and would likely fall apart in most cocktails as well. I would try it in cocktails where you need that sweet whiskey flavor, but would never make it the highlight; things like a bourbon smash or hot toddy would work well, but I'd never reach for this when making an old fashioned or mint julep. Even still, if I needed a bourbon with a wide palate like this, I would purchase one of at least a dozen other competitors that would deliver that flavor for a fraction of the price.

Annoyingly, I started to type out a very well thought out note on this selection and my computer decided it wanted to restart for no apparent reason. Urgh. Anyway... A distillery I never thought I'd really give a chance to before was Whistlepig. As I've stated in a previous review, I am very much NOT a Rye drinker. But I've recently taken a fascination to mixing Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails and nothing but the bold spice of a good Rye will do in those. So here we are. And as always, I simply must taste everything neat at least once.... The nose is a tidal wave of sweet on this bourbon. A surprise ~ I thought I'd be met with tannins and spice as is traditional with anything Rye forward. Not so here ( but then again.. I'm not 100% what the mashbill blend is here ). The nose does have a very faint, underlying hit of ethanol from the proof but it really isn't bad at all. What is the prevailing scent here is a thick, creamy combination of vanilla, maple syrup and brown sugar. As you smell deeper into the glass, some baking spice and faint hint of tannic oak mingle with stewed cherries. But really that mega sweet front on that nose runs the show. The front of taste is sweet, thick and creamy... almost cloying. Vanilla, maple syrup, and brown sugar combine with a surprisingly viscous mouth feel. As that taste goes down, spicy cinnamon and peppercorn makes your tongue tingle and ushers in tannic oak to mop up all that sweetness from the front. The finish is a great balance of sweet, spice and tannins. On top of that, the viscous mouthfeel from the taste remains and leaves a long lasting, oily finish. Peppercorn keeps your tongue tingling as the oak really opens up. A faint, underlying vanilla sweetness underlines the whole finish and beautifully wraps up this taste. I'm.... pleasantly surprised. For such an affordable bottle from a distillery I thought I'd hate... I'm actually very impressed with their 6 year bourbon. Be it in a cocktail or neat, this is a great addition to your home bar, indeed.

Total Wine store pick, Gilbert AZ. 111.3 proof. Nose is absolutely stellar with toasted oak, roasted almond, vanilla icing, gooey caramel, ripe plum, nutmeg, earthy mushroom, and musty barn/cellar. Honestly this has the aroma of a $200+ limited edition. Ethanol NON-existent. Palate brings star anise, caraway seed, cake batter, cinnamon, barrel char, raisin, date, and fig. Flavors are bold but yet well integrated. Profile is similar to some of the better Willet products I have had; kid you not. Finish morphs into caramel flan, sweet delicate oak, pepper, black liquorice, nut butter, and a hint of cooling menthol. Lingering cinnamon heat. Mouthfeel is slick and medium-bodied but nothing to write home about. I picked this up on a lark, not expecting to find something truly top notch but here we are. If this is what Whistle Pig can do with a 6 yr old bourbon, look out. Did I find a unicorn of a store pick? Maybe. But it’s an absolute hitter. At $64.99 it’s highway robbery.

(I originally posted this review on the Piggyback Rye page. Duh! So, here's my review for the correct bottle!) I'm having this tonight at my in-laws'. They know about my bourbon fascination, and always buy a bottle or two when we come visit. I was excited to hear that they bought this for me, as I have been wanting to try it for a while now... Nose: classic bourbon nose of leather, but with butterscotch and a hint of alcohol. Palate: sweet, caramel, more butterscotch carried over from the nose, caramel, creamy with a classic bourbon tingle, slightly spicy. Finish: medium with a slight burn/hug. This is a solid pour. I could easily see myself buying this in the future.

An elegant, Bourbon Whiskey by WhistlePig Distillery in Shoreham, Vermont / Canada crafted with a high corn mash bill with a touch of rye and barley, aged in Char #3 American white oak barrels for 6 years before being bottled at 100 proof. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a balanced life adds notes of caramel popcorn, honey, vanilla & sultans; that led to a delicate death of medium length with notes of oak, pepper, leather, toasted walnut, maple, burnt sugar & smoke. December 2024 / February 2026

Its a beautiful darker gold. I got some sweet honey smell right off the bat. On first sip i got lots of oak and smoke. Then later after a couple of tastes i alittle caramel. Added a drop of water i got leather on smell. Then on taste i got apple and some dry fruit. Apple came to me more. Very good. Definitely putting this on top shelf.