WhistlePig Ups Amount Of In House Rye Whiskey For FarmStock 002

WhistlePig out of Vermont has made quite a name for itself over the last several years as one of the leading domestic distilleries in rye whiskey. Their products to date have mostly been sourced, be it from Canada or Indiana. The introduction of FarmStock last year started to tilt the needle on that via the introduction of in-house distilled rye to the blend, and now the new FarmStock 002 ups the percentage of their own spirit even more.

WhistlePig FarmStock Rye Crop No. 002, according to those behind it, contains in its blend a 32% component of two year old WhistlePig whiskey (up from 20% in-house whiskey a year ago) that’s been aged in Vermont oak barrels. These barrels are made from locally harvested trees that are said to feature “a truly unique char and toast designed by Master Distiller Dave Pickerell.”

Making up the rest of the blend is 45% 6-year aged whiskey from MGPI in Indiana, and 23% 10-year aged whiskey from Alberta Distillers in Canada. All have been mixed together into a bottling strength of 86 proof. It is ultimately the goal of WhistlePig to have a 100 percent in house whiskey, but there was no immediate indication from the distillery as to when that might happen.

“By boosting the percentage of WhistlePig two year old distillate from 20% to 32%, as well as changing up the other component whiskies in the blend, we’re looking at a whiskey that drinks even easier than 001 did. 002 takes well to ice and cocktails, and hits you with a big burst of vanilla, citrus, and rye spice,” said Pickerell in a prepared statement. “We also get a beautiful balance with some of the fruitier and more oak-like flavors from the more mature component whiskies.”

Plans call for FarmStock 002 to be released in limited numbers for a price point of around $73 a bottle. You’ll find some official tasting notes below for your consideration. Also, as an aside, it was noted by WhistlePig this blend was “crowdsourced from over 500 bartenders, influencers and consumers at blending events taking place at the WhistlePig farm and across the United States over the last 6 months.”

• Nose: Orange zest, white chocolate, vanilla bean, and fresh pear combine with a gentle rye spice
• Palate: Delicate fruitiness gives way to a full bodied burst of spice, rounded by notes of allspice and cinnamon and balanced with a pleasant dryness            
• Finish: White pepper and oak spice leave a light and surprisingly lengthy finish