WhistlePig The Boss Hog 六: The Samurai Scientist

Review #022 Type: rye Proof: 60% Comments: NAS, finished in Japanese umeshu barrels, sixth edition of the Boss Hog series Tasted after: WhistlePig 10 Year Single Barrel Rye Appearance (no score): Mahogany color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 17/20 Surprisingly mild on the nose, typical rye spice, butterscotch, and little fruity sweetness from maybe pears Palate: 37/40 Very smooth and deliciously complex, rye spice forward, orange zest, ripe syrupy plumbs, and burnt caramelized sugar Finish: 35/40 Nice long finish. Medium alcohol burn accompanies the arrival of baking spices. The fruity flavor is still here but more akin to sour hard candies now, slowly turns from spicy to peppery and every so mildly salty at the end, just enough to make you thirsty for the next sip With Water: A drop of water didn’t do much of anything, a second drop increased the rye spice on the palate and upped the fruity flavors in the finish. Total: 89/100 Final thoughts: I’m no stranger to WhistlePig, but this is the first edition I’ve tried of the Boss Hog series. It’s very very good but not sure I’d spring for a future release myself. Price: taste from a friend’s bottle Would recommend: yes Would buy: maybe Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

I’ve got to say this is a stellar pour but it better be given the price tag. That being said, I try my best to disassociate the costs of a bottle with the pour inside it when reviewing.I first tasted this one neat in a glencairn and then later added a few drops of water. I didn’t get much on the nose initially other than ethanol which I was disappointed with but it opened up nicely after a few drops of water and I got what to me smelled of a wine finished rye. I can only assume that was the Japanese liquor barrel coming through but I’ve never had it so I’m only guessing. The palate is where this one shined both with and without water. Exceptionally smooth, you’d never know it was 120 proof, and downright delicious. The rye spice was there but perfectly balanced with sweet notes. The finish didn’t blow me away to be honest. It was there and lengthy but didn’t add any other characteristics I did get from the nose or the palate. Overall a great pour and I’m glad I was lucky enough to try it at a reasonable cost.

Nose- Traditional rye spice; crystalized ginger; plums; wet oak; orange citrus; creamy vanilla Palate- Wave of oranges initially; black licorice; rye spices; vanilla sweetness; aged oak; caramel; hint of butterscotch Finish- Long, spicy finish; Dark plums; aged oak; baking spices; anise Balanced, drinks below it’s proof, and most importantly, unique. The nose is that of an aged rye, and very enjoyable, but is just above average. The palate is full of citrus, rye spice, aged oak, and sweet butterscotch and vanilla. Extremely good on the palate. The finish is where this shines, and where the plum cask really comes though. Such a unique note of dark, juicy plums that’s unlike anything else and is SO tasty. As far as the price goes, $500 is $500, but this is damn tasty, and in a very cool bottle to boot.

Nose: Sourdough bread. Brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon. Orange blossom water. Strawberry, banana. Butter. Raisins. I'm reminded of the cinnamon, sugar, and butter mixture when you make cinnamon rolls. Apples. Mint. Stone fruits - peaches especially. Very rounded, warm, and sweet, but not cloying. Palate: Brown sugar, vanilla, prune, raisin, fig. Oak and tannin - drying and bitter, but in a very tasteful way. Mint, apple. Figs, peaches, mandarins, banana. Molasses. Finish is vanilla, stone fruits, oak, tannin, char - apple and peach pie both come to mind. Other notes: This is a special sip. Boss Hog V was polarizing to some, VI is much more approachable and friendly. The proof isn't off-putting, while the richness and depth of flavor are worthy of exploration.

Unfortunately drank this one after the Boss Hog V: Spirit of Mauve. As a staunch rye drinker, the Samurai Scientist underwhelms, but makes up for its short comings with a slightly more complex palate. Nose: Apples and cinnamon with subtle herbal notes. Palate: Apples, oak, and more apples. Slight spice that opens up on the tongue and burns off at the back of the throat. Doesn’t travel down to the chest like the V. Lighter hints of vanilla and molasses. Feels like a much lower ABV. Could go through a bottle of this by accident. Finish: The vanilla comes late and stays late. Apples continue and with the cinnamon subsiding. Need to try again, but wouldn’t pay $50+ per pour.

Deep Amber in color Aroma dark caramel, Rye spice in the second row, but very present. Very floral and lots of dark fruit. Flavor, great blend of deep caramel infused with black pepper, cinnamon & a touch of clove. Finish is awesome and warming. This does NOT drink like 120 proof. Wow. Dark bready notes with complexity due to the spice notes. Really enjoying this. Somewhat oily and vanilla continues to emerge as glass opens. Found this at an airport restaurant and could not believe it. Let's just say that I was pleased.