The rye whiskey renaissance is upon us. Prior to a few years ago, American rye was almost exclusively associated with the likes of Redemption and Bulleit; brands that favored the pre-Prohibition style and were some of the only ones predominantly bottling the spirit. These days, the American drinker has been drifting back to the former favorite. A newfound respect has been cultivated for a style of whiskey that’s simply more brash, spicy, and daring than your average spirit.
Among the brands leading the way is WhistlePig, a Vermont-based distillery whose own brashness has been evident right out of the gate when it launched 15 years back with ballsy releases such as its 100% Rye and the latest Greek-inspired Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Song. Not only was it making craft rye whiskey, but it was making really good craft rye whiskey. In 2012 the distillery received its first “Best Rye” at the World Whiskies Awards, signaling its eventual role as a catalyst in our nation’s current rye craze.
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the award, WhistlePig’s latest release is easily its most polarizing yet. Inspired by the amber glass Berkshire Bitter Pig bottles popular in Cincinnati in the 1800s, PiggyBank is a 10-year-old rye whiskey bottled at 110 proof. Much like the original decanters, the 1L pig-shaped bottle pours the liquor right out of its derriere.
Priced at around $200, the limited-edition WhistlePig PiggyBank 10-Year Rye Whiskey is available from select retailers nationwide.
