Whistlepig 14, The Boss Hog, Third Edition, The Independent, Barrel 25, 59.4% abv.

This small batch, ~30 barrels, 100% rye was first matured in new American oak, then refilled Bourbon casks, and finally finished in Hogshead barrels. Whistlepig didn't have an actual distilling facility for their rye products when this came out in 2016, but purchased juice from one of three contracted distilleries in the U.S. or imported from one of two distilleries in Canada, the most notable being Alberta Premium distillery. Supposedly, as Raj Bhakta tells it, former Maker's Mark Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and him traveled to Canada to secure source material (other sources say Dave already had 10 year rye barrels already waiting in Canada), buying time for Whistlepig farm to implement Raj's dream of completely producing whiskey on the farm, from grain to bottle. Unfortunately, Whistlepig management is in legal troubles, similar to the Balcones case.

Nose: honey, cool, spicey. Simple and straightforward.

Palate: initially smooth, a little dry, initial palate was a little spicey which carries itself past the finish..., mid palate has the spice amplified, backend wood that gets stronger with time, back palate is spice that only amplifies with time. Seems like a potent rye.

Finish: short, very spicey.

I felt this one was really spicey. Initially it's not spicey, but after awhile the spice builds ups and quite quickly I might add, and it just overwhelms your palate to the point where I was out of touch. I find it funny since I had this after the 2016 THH. This WP is loads better, and better than other THHs as well. Things that make you go hmmm.

Grade: B

Whiskyanalysis.com, 8.84 ± 0.28 on 11 reviews