WhistlePig 18 Year Double Malt Rye Whiskey
Distiller Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesNamed “double malt” because in addition to 79% (unmalted) Canadian rye, this bottling also is made with 15% malted rye and 6% malted barley. Clove and peppery spice enlivens rounded vanilla and nutty tones accented with cherry and horehound. Adding water brings out more cinnamon heat.
WhistlePig began in 2007. After a few years of deep consideration and personal reflection the owners committed themselves to crafting the world’s finest and most interesting Rye Whiskeys. With help from Master Distiller Dave Pickerell, they discovered and purchased an incredible stock of 10 year old blending Whiskey in Canada that was being profoundly misused. That initial stock, for which they are forever grateful, is what kicked off the grand adventure.
With every step of the Whiskey making process the team at WhistlePig asks 3 questions:
“How was this done in the past?”
“Have we learned anything since then that can make this better?”
“Is there another way to do this that’s worth exploring?”
More often than not the answer is there’s always something worth exploring. The team knows the path forward isn’t always a straight line. So they push themselves to innovate and they are reassured by their mistakes. They’re what keep WhistlePig great.
Known for its peppery, spicy bite, Rye serves as the ideal base for cocktails like the Sazerac, Manhattan or Old Fashioned. In order for a spirit to be labeled an American Rye Whiskey, the mash bill must be comprised of at least 51% rye grain. The remainder of the mash is most often a combination of malted barley, wheat or corn. After distillation is complete, the spirit is transferred to unused, charred white oak barrels for a minimum of two years, though many producers choose to age longer.