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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
WhistlePig is committed to crafting the finest and most interesting whiskeys in the market today. The brand has changed the game for rye whiskeys and continuously sets the standard each passing day.
If you are interested in WhistlePig and how it became the epitome of rye whiskey, scroll down.
About WhistlePig Rye Whiskey
WhistlePig Rye Whiskey is one of the game changers in the whiskey world. The rye whiskey from rural Vermont pushes boundaries in every whiskey-making process.
The farm-to-glass whiskey is one of the widely acclaimed spirits in the USA, thanks to its rich history, unique production process, and world-class flavor profile.
Interesting Facts
History & Origin
WhistlePig started when Raj Peter Bhakta (American entrepreneur, Founder of WhistlePig [1]) bought a dairy farm in 2007 in Vermont for business opportunities.
After personal reflection and deep considerations, the brand became committed to making the finest rye whiskeys with the guidance of Master Distiller Dave Pickerell.
How It’s Made
WhitslePig’s vision is to respect tradition and embrace progress, so the brand constantly pushes itself to try new things and unlock the potential of rye whiskey.
From sourcing imported whiskeys, they opened an on-site distillery for their farm-made whiskeys. They use locally sourced grain, copper pot stills, aquifer, and Vermont casks. But is it a good sipping whiskey for beginners?
Mash Bill
WhistlePig does not disclose any mash bill ratio on some of their expressions, but their sourced whiskeys contain high rye content. Whistle Pig 18 Year – Double Malt Rye uses 79% rye, 15% malted rye, and 6% malted barley.
Maturation Process
Most WhistlePig expressions are matured from six to eighteen years in their signature Vermont oak barrels.
The wood innovation is the pride and trademark of WhistlePig as it is directly harvested from the farm. The aging in charred Vermont oak barrels imparts flavor and brings depth and complexity to their rye [2].
Read: Best Way To Drink Rye Whiskey
Ownership & Distillery
Raj Bhakta owns WhistlePig, and the distillery is located on a 500-acre farm in Vermont.
The 150-year-old renovated dairy barn opened as the WhistlePIg’s distillery in 2015, and with the help of the former Maker’s Mark master distillery, the ultra-premium rye whiskey was born.
Tasting Notes
- Palate – Elegant, mildly fruity, floral, oak, vanilla, bold, and spicy flavor profile.
- Nose – Aromatic, slightly sweet, toasted oak, nutmeg, vanilla, and rye spice
- Color/Hue – Light amber to rich deep amber
- Finish – Clean, long, and spicy
Common WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Price
| Type | Size | Alcohol By Volume | Average Price |
| Piggyback Rye | 50 mL | 48% | $5.99 |
| 750 mL | $53.89 | ||
| Farmstock Rye | 750 mL | 43% | $85.99 |
| WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight Rye | 50 mL | 50% | $7.99 |
| 750 mL | $86.99 | ||
| WhistlePig 12-Year-Old Straight Rye | 750 mL | 45% | $139.99 |
| WhistlePig 15-Year-Old Straight Rye | 50 mL | 46% | $9.99 |
| 750 mL | $249.99 | ||
| 18 Year – 3rd Edition | 375 mL | 46% | $539.99 |
| 750 mL | $439.99 | ||
| Farmstock Beyond Bonded Rye | 750 mL | 50.5% | $119.99 |
| Farmstock Beyond Bonded Bourbon | 750 mL | 50% | $99.99 |
| Smokestock Wood Fired Whiskey | 750 mL | 43% | $72.99 |
| The Boss Hog VII | 750 mL | 52.6% | $624.99 |
| The Boss Hog VIII | 750 mL | 52.4% | $559.97 |
*Average prices are based on Drizly online except for Smokestock Wood Fired Whiskey (WhistlePig Website). Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
Compared to Other Rye Whiskeys
High West Whiskey Double Rye
High West Whiskey Double Rye is a cheaper alternative for WhistlePig Piggyback Rye because a bottle of High West costs around $37.99 on Drizly online.
It has a little lower ABV (46%) than WhistlePig (48%), but it is a great rye whiskey with a rich and bold flavor profile.
Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
Old Overholt rye whiskey is cheaper than WhistlePig and High West, and you can score a 1L bottle on Drizly online at approximately $23.99.
The straight rye whiskey has an appealing and distinctive flavor that mixes well in cocktails.
Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Rye
If you want an expensive and more premium rye whiskey, you can substitute WhistlePig with Michter’s 10-Year single barrel rye.
A 750 ml bottle of Michter’s is around $251.97 on Drizly online, almost thrice the price of WhistlePig 10-Year-old.
Also Read:
Popular WhistlePig Rye Whiskey Cocktail Recipes
Dirty Shirley
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Piggyback
- 8 oz Lemon-lime soda
- 1 oz Grenadine
- Maraschino Cherries
Instructions:
In a highball glass filled with ice, pour the rye whiskey and grenadine, then top it off with soda. Finish it with the maraschino cherries on top, then serve.
Serving: 1
Maple Old Fashioned
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Piggyback
- 0.25 oz WhistlePig Barrel Aged maple syrup
- 3 dashes of maple bitters
- Orange peel
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in an Old Fashioned glass, then add ice. Stir it well, then garnish with orange peel. Enjoy!
Serving: 1
FAQs
Is WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight Rye rare?
No, WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight rye is not rare. It is not a hard-to-find spirit and is available in online liquor shops and on the WhistlePig website.
Why is WhistlePig expensive?
WhistlePig is expensive for a few reasons: marketing, repacking, and quality. Expensive whiskeys are commonly equated as high-quality spirits. Also, since most are sourced whiskeys and repacked, they will not sell at lower prices.
Final Thoughts on WhistlePig Rye Whiskey
The WhistlePig price is relatively high compared to other rye whiskeys. They believe that while there’s a lot to learn in traditional whiskey making, embracing the progress will unlock the potential of rye whiskeys.
From farm to glass, WhistePig continuously innovates and experiments with sourcing, production process, blending, and finishing.
References:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradjaphe/2021/07/24/whistlepig-whiskey-expands-into-the-irish-category/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/oak-barrels
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
