Okay, don't have a party, alright? Because there's a new No. 8 rye on the Bloofingtonian List isn't even cause to brush and floss one's teeth, although I'll be doing that soon enough. I know, I know, there's a lot of new ryes out, Bloof, some new six years, going head up with Baby Saz. Yeah, and "Baby Saz" just dropped off the Top 10 list in this war of attrition that brings Bloofington In Search Of . . .
rye whiskey.
And I am not happy, or can't you tell? I've already dealt with Vintage 21 and 23, and don't ask me to spend the stimulus package money on R&D for a bottle of one of the other fantastic additions to the availability of rye whiskey on the scene. This is a war of attrition. Forget about the working man buying a bottle of rye he can really look in the mirror and say he liked. There just isn't that much strikingly good rye whiskey in my not so humble opinion, especially for the man/woman on a budget.
So, a while back I sprung for a bottle of WhistlePig 10 year old 100 proof rye whiskey, made from a mash bill of 100% rye. That alone, plus the age and proof was what sold me. To provide additional backup, it's actually a Canadian product bottled at the WhistlePig farm in Vermont. Hey, any time you say pig, or anything with pig in it, you got me on that point as well. I love pigs. I have a lot less security issues with my farm in Puerto Rico. A cousin and his girlfriend have moved in there full time. In addition to three cows that weren't rounded up when my dad's cows were sold, one being about to give birth, his cat, four male guineas and a rooster that were all left when my dad died, my cousin wants to have pigs. That's fine with me, as long as we can take care of them. So, you got me with WhistlePig.
The walk out price on this at my favorite liquor store was $76.20, but I had a great week that time a couple months ago, and it was just time for some R&D. I've done extensive tasting of this whiskey, and what can I say? I don't like young rye, and this one has done nicely in reaching ten years, with the existent flavor profile. But I'm not blown away, I'm not going to be effusive in my praise, this wasn't a bastion of complexity like my new No. 14 bourbon, but it is very pleasant. It is devoid of the bitterness that can accompany a young rye, very smooth, with a rather monotonous flavor profile and light body. But it is indeed pleasant, and some day, if I have the money, I'll buy another one, just to support a farm with a cool name, and our Canadian brethren.
But you don't see me dancing, do you? If you want a fantastic tasting rye, wait until The Antique Collection comes out every year. You can get the Sazerac 18, which is always going to cost a lot but kick ass, or take a chance on the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac barrel proof rye, and hope that year's release is a good one. If you can find and afford Nos. 1-3, or No. 5, well, you hit gold, but you won't find them. See the updated rye list for the sake of being official, but you don't see me dancing, do you?
rye whiskey.
And I am not happy, or can't you tell? I've already dealt with Vintage 21 and 23, and don't ask me to spend the stimulus package money on R&D for a bottle of one of the other fantastic additions to the availability of rye whiskey on the scene. This is a war of attrition. Forget about the working man buying a bottle of rye he can really look in the mirror and say he liked. There just isn't that much strikingly good rye whiskey in my not so humble opinion, especially for the man/woman on a budget.
So, a while back I sprung for a bottle of WhistlePig 10 year old 100 proof rye whiskey, made from a mash bill of 100% rye. That alone, plus the age and proof was what sold me. To provide additional backup, it's actually a Canadian product bottled at the WhistlePig farm in Vermont. Hey, any time you say pig, or anything with pig in it, you got me on that point as well. I love pigs. I have a lot less security issues with my farm in Puerto Rico. A cousin and his girlfriend have moved in there full time. In addition to three cows that weren't rounded up when my dad's cows were sold, one being about to give birth, his cat, four male guineas and a rooster that were all left when my dad died, my cousin wants to have pigs. That's fine with me, as long as we can take care of them. So, you got me with WhistlePig.
The walk out price on this at my favorite liquor store was $76.20, but I had a great week that time a couple months ago, and it was just time for some R&D. I've done extensive tasting of this whiskey, and what can I say? I don't like young rye, and this one has done nicely in reaching ten years, with the existent flavor profile. But I'm not blown away, I'm not going to be effusive in my praise, this wasn't a bastion of complexity like my new No. 14 bourbon, but it is very pleasant. It is devoid of the bitterness that can accompany a young rye, very smooth, with a rather monotonous flavor profile and light body. But it is indeed pleasant, and some day, if I have the money, I'll buy another one, just to support a farm with a cool name, and our Canadian brethren.
But you don't see me dancing, do you? If you want a fantastic tasting rye, wait until The Antique Collection comes out every year. You can get the Sazerac 18, which is always going to cost a lot but kick ass, or take a chance on the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac barrel proof rye, and hope that year's release is a good one. If you can find and afford Nos. 1-3, or No. 5, well, you hit gold, but you won't find them. See the updated rye list for the sake of being official, but you don't see me dancing, do you?
