WhistlePig 10 Year Old "K&L Exclusive" Single Barrel Cask Strength (115.8 proof) Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml)

We've got four new single barrels of Whistle Pig 10 year coming in this winter and each cask is very small, thus very limited. This particular cask, for example, yielded less than 140 total bottles. Perhaps that explains the beautiful concentration of flavor in this 115.8 proof cask strength expression. The nose smells like classic rye, but it's the initial sip that really stands out in this particular whiskey. It's seductively sweet, not in a supple or viscous way, but rather the same way that a graham cracker is sweet. The sugar excites your tastes buds and perks up your palate, but it's really just a side show for the wood, oak spices, and peppery rye character to work their collaborative magic. The mid-palate then gives way to Bourbon-like richness, maple notes, and burnt vanilla before finishing quite dry and spicy. If you've been jonesing for a new bottle of high proof rye, or a Handy/Kentucky Owl substitute, this will definitely do the trick. It's a fantastic bottle of whiskey from front to back, destined to impress any serious fanatic, and we're only on the first cask! (David Driscoll, K&L Buyer)