American

Whiskey Review: WhistlePig Farm SummerStock Pit Viper

We review WhistlePig Farm SummerStock Pit Viper, finished in several types of barrels, including "sun toasted" ones.

OVERALL RATING

7
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WhistlePig Farm SummerStock Pit Viper review

Tasting Notes

About:

Aged in char 3 oak barrels and finished in char 3 barrels, a proprietary toast, and sun toasted barrels, 43% ABV, mash bill: wheat and rye, SRP $72.99/ 750ml bottle or $149.99 with the sunglasses.
Appearance:
This is golden in color with a yellow undertone and moderate intensity.
Nose:
My initial impression is of malted cereal, red apples, and butter crackers. The palate opens up into melted butter poured over braised carrots. The savory note leads into mild sweet flavors of pears poached in vanilla sugar. It’s rich and decedent. There’s a wisp of anise on the finish that adds interest. Their tasting note mentions maple a few times, which I can pick up on. To me, the maple character is like maple hard candy instead of maple syrup or maple sugar candy. Us New Englanders get particular about tree sap.
Palate:


Finish:
Comments:
Initially, this is very reminiscent of the flagship WhistlePig 10 Year Rye but with the buttery notes cranked up to 11. It was not my cup of tea (or stick of butter). But the addition of ice is transformative and highly recommended.rnrnNeat or chilled, this is a bombastic style of rye from a bombastic duo of companies. It will stand up nicely to smoked or grilled summer BBQs and heavily spiced dishes. It’s sweet enough on the nose and palate to pair with caramel or cream-based desserts such as pecan pie or ice cream.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Suzanne Bayard

Suzanne Bayard struck out to the West Coast with her now husband almost a decade ago to explore the intersection of wine and policy in its world-class wine regions. She manages a Portland, OR bottle shop by day as the wine buyer and newsletter editor. She is also the Director of the Deep Roots Coalition, an organization of 30 Willamette Valley wineries that educate on and promote dry farming and sustainable practices. She joined the Whiskey Wash to explore two other passions: writing and whiskey.

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