Whistle Pig Double Malt 18 Years Rye

Overview
WhistlePig Double Malt 18 Year Rye is a straight rye whiskey that incorporates malted rye into its mashbill for added nuance and depth to the traditional spice profile. This third edition continues the distillery's exploration of aged Canadian-sourced rye, building on releases that highlight layered complexity from extended maturation.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
WhistlePig was founded in 2008 by Raj Peter Bhakta on a Vermont dairy farm, initially sourcing Canadian rye through a partnership with David Pickerell and releasing a 10-year expression in 2010. The inclusion of malted rye in this whiskey echoes historical practices that aided fermentation, lending subtle depth to the rye spice. While in-house distilling began in 2015, this release remains sourced from Canada.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Aromatics unfold in impressive layers over time, revealing delicate nuances.
• Palate: Silky and delicate mouthfeel builds with measured spiciness, offering nuance without overwhelming intensity.
• Finish: Moderately short, lacking the profound length to deliver a standout aftertaste.

Notable details

• Production: Aged 18 years in new oak.
• Lineage: Sourced from Alberta Distillers Ltd; part of WhistlePig's Canadian rye series emphasizing malted grain innovation.
• Comparison: Offers more layered aromatics than younger siblings but raises questions on value due to subdued depth.

"While the Double Malt 18 Year Rye offers impressive delicate layers and aromatics, it falls short of profound depth and may not fully justify the significant price increase over its younger sibling." – The Whiskey Wash

Closing
A contemplative rye for those seeking subtle evolution in spice and silkiness, best suited to patient sipping.

Sources

[1] Thewhiskeywash – "Whiskey Review: WhistlePig Double Malt 18 Year Rye"

[2] Drinkhacker – "Review: WhistlePig Double Malt Rye 18 Years Old"

[3] Whiskeyreviewer – "WhistlePig Double Malt 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey – The Whiskey Reviewer"

[4] Thewhiskeywash – "WhistlePig 18 Year Double Malt Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes & Analysis"

[5] Whiskycritic – "WhistlePig Introduces Double Malt Rye Whiskey"

[6] Capitalcitybourbon – "Review: WhistlePig 18-Year Double Malt Rye Whiskey - The Capital City Bourbon Blog"