WhistlePig Boss Hog 2024 X

Recently I had the enjoyment of attending a WhistlePig dinner.  To start with enjoyed a WhistlePig 6 Piggyback Rye Manhattan which was very good.  They put a twist and used Amaro instead of Sweet Vermouth.  Then there were three tastings for dinner.  CampStock, (Wheated Whiskey), WhistlePig 10 Small Batch Rye, and WhistlePig Boss Hog 2024 X.

This was paired with a four-course dinner for the night.  Started was with the Manhattan and then each course had one of the three tastings for you to enjoy with dinner.

Dinner consisted of the following:

The dinner was very good.  Each course was well presented, and the flavors were fantastic.  Let’s get to the Whiskey

The WhistlePig Whiskey

The first tasting was the CampStock Wheat Whisky.  This is in collaboration with Solo Stove and according to the site packed up the barrel staves to use in a solo stove.

On the nose you should have sweet maple notes.  On your palate citrus, orange peel and notes of freshly toasted bread.  The finish is vanilla.  This is from the page for the CampStock.

When I nosed and tasted the sample, I did get a hint of maple but, on my palate, it tasted young and a little hot.  It is 86-proof so that really surprised me that it just tasted really hot and didn’t get a lot of flavors on the palate or finish.  I think this would be good as a cocktail Whiskey but, not a sipper.  They do have a few recipes on the site that I may end up trying with this bottle.

WhistlePig 10 Yr Rye

The next one is WhistlePig’s tried and true rye.  The rye that put the company on the Rye map.  It was the WhistlePig Small Batch Rye 10 yr.

This is aged 10 years and is 100-proof.  Perfect proof for whiskey in my opinion.  Holds up to cocktails and gives just enough burn if you’re sipping to be enjoyable.

Per the page you should have allspice, orange peel, anise, oak char, and caramel on the nose.  The palate will bring hints of caramel and vanilla followed by the rye spice.  The finish is long with warm butterscotch and caramel.

When I tried the sample and nosed, I did find the orange peel and Anise.  The black licorice smell comes through.  On the palate I tasted vanilla and after you swallow the sip the rye spice comes out and says here I am.  Very smooth and really a pleasant easy sipper.  The finish is long and does have caramel in my opinion.  At 100 proof it drinks much lower and very little burn.  I really enjoy this neat or in a good Manhattan.

WhistlePig THE BOSS HOG X

Finally, the whiskey we all came to taste and enjoy.  WhistlePig Boss Hog 2024 X.  This whiskey is single barrel at barrel strength.  Twice finished well aged.  Mentioned it is 10 to 15 years old.

This is a double barrel aged whiskey.  First is the standard new oak barrel.  First finish in an experimental barrel that was distilled with rye and whey and infused with Frankincense and Myrrh.  (Getting weird here) Then they take the liquid and put it in a mead cask to finish off the rye.

From the page on the nose, you should smell honey, roasted cashew, fresh ginger and floral notes.  On the palate would be dried honey, raisin and sharp bright citrus.  Finish is sapwood (NO IDEA) and fresh ground pepper.

On the nose for me there was a very strong honey smell along with something I couldn’t put my finger on and that would be the floral notes.  Reading the page after makes sense to me what the smell was.  Tasting the honey really disappears and the citrus comes through.  I was really worried I was just going to taste honey.  The finish to me was short and peppery and very good.  For being barrel strength, the “Kentucky Hug” was very short and overall, this was a fantastic sample and taste.

Now I wish I could find a bottle for retail and continue to enjoy.  Each year WhistlePig comes out with a different expression of The Boss Hog.  After this one I am looking forward to next year’s edition.

 The Ghostbuster – I drink spirits therefore I am a ghostbuster.

TheCocktailClan