WhistlePig Old World Series Madeira Finish 12 Year

It’s December 12, and I’m going to try a new rye whiskey every day this month. And while my rye game is not as weak as my Scotch game was this time last year, I’m always up for suggestions on good rye whiskies. And now that I have goals (it’s good to have goals), there are some key players I could use your help finding. Send me your most intense contender. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (2/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. I want a raunchy rye. I want the one that tastes like my kids teacher’s passive aggressive group email about how “some parents” are still not sending their kids with winter coats when it’s 53 degrees outside. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This 95% rye - 5% barley has some elements of scotch, while lacking the smoke and the bite of a traditional scotch, the Whistle Pig 12 is well balanced and put together, the strong spice finish is rewarding without being punishing. Amoratics—floral and earthy, it’s somewhat delicate and it overpowering, the spice notes are not as noticeable on the nose, but sneak up on you in the finish. Taste—definitely strong notes of floral and earthy notes in the front. The finish is fairly rich with a lasting spice note, it’s just enough wake up your taste buds without being overly powerful. I feel like this bottle betters the more you get into, while not as easy on the pallet as the WP10 it’s has far more character. — a scotch guy”

In taking the time to truly enjoy the nose on this 95% rye whiskey you can't help but immediately notice the oak from the 12 year barrel aging. The toasted oak also brings vanilla and caramel. Further nosing reveals an undercurrent of dark fruits compliments of the triple wine casks. Upon tasting you discover right up front the spiciness of the rye and the toastiness of the oak. The dual kick gradually fades as the sweet fruit lingers on the palate. Long after the last taste a mild spicy pepperiness remains.

SO much going on here. Beautiful legs that stick to the glass... Nose has light caramel, the familiar whistle pig rye grain notes and hints from the Madeira and port barrels in the background. Golden raisins in there somewhere. Smooth palate carries a lightly sweet grain front to a finish that goes back and forth between dry oakwood, toasted grains, musty barn, cacao, ripe plum, hay, toasted pecans and brown sugar.

Initial nosing of dill pickle potato chips, opens into more raisinated flavours from the Madeira. Mouth feel is oily and full with sweet fruit blending then into a spice of clove, brown sugar and an aftertaste of botrytis influenced grape. One of the most complex rye whiskies I've ever had

Bottle was opened about a year ago, at first the taste is dominated by deep desert wine flavors. From there things lighten up until very slowly fading into a spicy rye finish. Great balance between heavy rye mash bill and fortified wine barrels.