Whistlepig Farmstock Rye is the first major market release WhistlePig has put out, though it’s not entirely their own whiskey. It’s a blend of their own young and rough spirit with some mid-range aged Canadian rye and some older Canadian rye. It’s a scenario that High West has managed to pull off quite well in the past, minus using their own spirit, but few others seem to do well.
In Whistle Ping’s Words: Whistlepig Farmstock Rye
“FarmStock is a historic step in realizing our vision of creating a true farm-to-bottle whiskey. It is the manifestation of the dream that launched the company: to produce the finest whiskey in the world from our Vermont farm.
Crop 001 marries the untamed contours and boldness of our estate whiskey, which only youth can provide, with the richness of our best five to six year ryes, topped off with the splendor of our 12 Year whiskey.”
You can see my overall feelings in the image above, but how exactly did the Whistlepig Farmstock Rye come together? Well for that you’ll need to read the Whistlepig Farmstock Rye review below. :)
Whistlepig Farmstock Rye Info
Region: Alberta, Canada & Vermont, USA
Distiller: Alberta Distillers and Whistle Pig
Mashbill: Not given
Cask: New charred oak and ex-Bourbon casks
Age: NAS
ABV: 43%
Crop: 001
Price: $85*
Whistlepig Farmstock Rye Review
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Fruit and young oak with bits of brown sugar, Tootsie Rolls, citrus and spice. I know there’s some older whiskey in here, but mostly I’m getting is a rough young craft whiskey profile.
PALATE
Fruit and young saw dust oak dominate with bits of butterscotch, vanilla taffy, copper and citric acid popping in. It tastes like so many other young craft whiskies I’ve had.
FINISH
Med fruity drop of young oak, taffy and butterscotch.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Not fully balanced, medium body and a light hot feel.
OVERALL
I don’t think David Pickerell should have put out the Whistlepig Farmstock Rye. He used to work at Maker’s Mark so he knows what it takes to make well aged whiskey and this, this isn’t it. As an experiment it’s whatever, but as a full release it comes across like a young fruity craft rye from beginning to end. I don’t know what else to say other than that it needs a few more years in the rick house.
I’ve never reviewed a WhistlePig whiskey before because they’re too expensive for what you get so I’ve never bought one. I’ve tried them at friend’s houses and in bars several times and thought they were good, but I’ve never been able to justify the price. This one has me feeling the same way because it’s not a great marriage of young and old. The young blasts out the old and leaves that lingering “craft / young oak” flavor. Not a fan of the Whistlepig Farmstock Rye Batch 1.
SCORE: 78/100 (C+)
*Disclosure: This Whistlepig Farmstock Rye was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Whistlepig Farmstock Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
Whistlepig Farmstock Rye needs a lot more aging. The young spirit they dumped in here is readily apparent.
Overall
- Nose - 78
- Palate - 78
- Finish - 78
- Balance, Body & Feel - 78
Whistle Pig Farmstock Rye 003 was thin, imbalanced, unrefined, of little complexity (unless, to you, cherry cough medicine is complex) and gave a distinct artificial flavor profile. The finish was short and industrial. Only the nose was pleasant and promising but it all stopped there. With vastly superior Rye Whiskey at 60% the retail price of WPFR or arguably better Rye’s at 1/3 the cost, there is no good reason to buy a bottle of this until you at least have had a pour or two from a friend or at your favorite watering hole.
Cheers Mike!
@Lou I believe they’ve changed the recipe now on crop 3; this original review is from 2017 and likely crop 1. With that said I was fond of this (crop 3) as it is smooth and decently tasty, but do think it is overpriced.
It was indeed Crop 1 I reviewed.
You need to get your palate checked. This is one of the best balanced whiskeys I’ve ever tasted. Mine was a gift as well, but I didn’t look a gift pig in the mouth. It’s very easy to not like a whiskey if you are prepared to dislike it, and you were clearly prepared.
Not at all, I was prepared to like it and find something new… I didn’t. I found yet another craft whiskey that needs some work. Cheers.
Damn it all, Josh! I just picked this up on a whim and I wanted you to say “this is the best farm-raised rye I EVER had!!” :-(
Ha, sorry Bob :(
… Cheers?
I’ve yet to read a positive review of this whiskey. Even the label design looks a bit shoddy. It wouldn’t surprise me if this was a release pushed by raj.
Btw, i think that 12 year component is actually from mgp.
There standard release is 100% Alberta distillers, but i believe they’ e diversified their supply beginning with their Old World release(s).
Ah, good to know, their literature suggests it’s from Cananda, but that would make sense. Cheers Liam!