Whiskey: PiggyBack Small Batch Bourbon
Producer: WhistlePig Farm
Distillery: WhistlePig Farm Distillery
Region: Vermont, USA
Whisky Type: Bourbon
Age: 6 years in level 3 char barrels
ABV: 50%
Aged in Cask: New charred American oak
Price Range: $$
Raj Bhakta purchased WhistlePig Distillery in 2007. The distillery is known for its premium rye releases aged and finished on-site. However, initial expressions were sourced from Alberta Distillers in Calgary, while newer ones (like the FarmStock Rye series) were distilled at least partially at WhistlePig Farm in Shoreham, Vermont.
From the Website: “With help from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, we discovered and purchased an incredible stock of 10-year-old blending Whiskey in Canada that was being profoundly misused. That initial stock, for which we are forever grateful, is what kicked off our grand adventure.”
Dave Pickerell was a successful Master Distiller at Makers Mark for 14 years, later establishing his consulting firm called Oak View Spirits, which advised many businesses in the whisky industry, including WhistlePig. He was considered the Founding Father of the Craft Distilling Movement and an industry expert.
The WhistlePig Distillery started operations in 2015 and produces brands like PiggyBack, Stockfarm, and single barrel cask strength annual releases known as the Boss Hog series.
Tasting Notes for WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Old
PiggyBack is a 2022 bourbon release made with corn, rye, and barley, with non-disclosed proportions. Aged for six years and bottled at 50% ABV (100% proof). Here are the notes for PiggyBack bourbon:
Nose: Aromas of cinnamon and spices.
Palate: Sweet and creamy arrival of vanilla and spices. A medium strength note of oak, not unpleasant. Adding a few drops of water makes this bourbon lose its creamy texture, so I preferred it neat.
Finish: A medium note of spices stands out but is not overwhelming. Very nice finish despite the 50% ABV.
Conclusion: PiggyBack 6-year-old is a straightforward and tasty bourbon that combines baking spices and oak nicely. The cinnamon note is present from end to end, which I much enjoy. Also, the dry and astringent flavors from the oak typically found on high-strength bourbons are not there. Not the most complex of bourbons, but not a bad option for $50.
Score: 3.5/5 ⭐
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