WhistlePig Piggyback 6 Year Old Rye Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Known to some as the “Johnny Appleseed of Whiskey” and to others as just a swell guy, Dave Pickerell pretty much invented the role of the modern whiskey consultant, and one of his most successful co-creations has been WhistlePig. Pickerell passed away roughly a year ago, but his influence lives on as his incomplete projects are taken up by others, his proteges rise within the industry, and his last creations reach the market.

The last whiskey concocted for WhistlePig by Pickerell was Piggyback, a 6 year old 100% rye whiskey. The actual blending draws on stock ranging from 6 to 8 years old, however, and is said to average about 7 1/4 … but rules are rules, and age statements are based on the minimum in the bottle. No one has actually said as much, but WhistlePig’s in-house whiskey isn’t anything like 6 years old yet and their only known source of 100% rye whiskey is Alberta, Canada, so it’s a good guess that this is a younger version of their original and modern classic 10 Year Old. However, Pickerell is said to have taken the flavor profile of this expression in a direction intended more for cocktails than neat pouring. As a final touch, WhistlePig jinked the proof to 95.56, a nod to Pickerell’s birth year.

The Whiskey
As is normally the case with rye, a pour of Piggyback comes off as less deep amber and more copper in appearance. The scent smacks of dried apricots; cinnamon, clove and vanilla; and traces of dry wood. The spiciness evolves to add pumpernickel to the cinnamon and clove, and a note of peppery wood arises at the end, but otherwise the core remains dried apricots with a hint of vanilla. The finish is light and spicy-sweet.

In summary, do you know how some folks call Jim Beam Bonded “Baby Knob Creek?” This is Baby WhistlePig.

The Price
Expect to pay about $50 a bottle, which is in keeping with the $80 price of the 10 year old WhistlePig.