It is time to write another review. The Lord of Virginia said we can stop wearing masks but businesses could still make someone wear a mask. How is that commitment to vaccines working from an MD? Never mind all that, I am going to celebrate and do something a little different today.

Mrsalphageek found an ABC store that was selling some quality whiskey products that are not usually available to us but we were on a short vacation that day. We detoured and ran into a Virginia ABC store where we found several quality products to purchase. There will be reviews for months based on those purchases!

We were fortunate to find several WhistlePig Rye products. I scored a WhistlePig 10 Year as well as WhistlePig 12 Year aged in sherry casks. Additionally, I also have a bottle of WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year. We are going to do a taste of between the two and I will share my thoughts. I decided not to try the 12 Year because of the sherry cask aging. Mrsalphageek is going to pour a sample of the other two and I get to try both and see what works. As a side note, the Virginia ABC store site is not quite correct on what they are selling. Check out the WhistlePig site if you need more detail. I don’t parrot back other websites here.

I decided to play around with editing the photos a different way. I am not sure anyone else cares, but I enjoy working on just my chromebook. I have decided I am not going to be taking pictures that look like commercial photos. Instead, I am going to take pictures around where I am enjoying the whiskey. Using the chromebook makes my posting almost anywhere an easy proposition.

I am going to taste each of the samples in a rocks glass neat. I am not adding ice, at least for the first round. I will eat an olive or something between tastes to clear my palate. How is that for sophistication?

Left one as viewed by me

Nose: A hint of cherry and oak cover a component of ethanol.

Pop: Surprisingly mild, and the body is evident even up to the first touch to the palate

Taste: Balanced oak, and spice along with a body that is simply amazing. I would be hesitant to add any ice for fear of ruining the carefully crafted body.

Finish: The fire kicks in, in an amazing way. This is the kind of finish that makes you beat your chest, yell smooth, and take another sip.

The first sample was exciting. I will enjoy sipping that, no matter which one it is!

Right one as viewed by me

Nose: Slightly leathery with caramel and mild, smooth wood and maybe a little vanilla

Pop: The gentle current of caramel and vanilla flush into the taste buds.This sample is even more syrup like than the first, all in a good way.

Taste: If the previous sample was rich, this sample is decadent. A gentle rush of smooth caramel and spice mix, in a gentle enjoyment that makes one hold the sip for just a bit, to enjoy the experience.

Finish: Not a hint of burning. Instead, gentle warmth and the mild wood shine through.

I love both of them. I might even start to purchase some rye just for sipping. While the 10 Year is hard to find, the 6 Year is currently available and one can’t go wrong with either.

The reveal!

The first sample is the 6 year leaving the second as the 10 year. Both are a surprise find that I will enjoy several more sips of, after I post this review.

Go out and enjoy being in public without a mask. I am going to enjoy a sip or two while we sit outside and enjoy some amazing late spring weather.

Cheers!

Edit May 26 2021 I have sipped each of these several times. I am finding them an enjoyable sipping experience. I do get a strong vanilla nose when I pour either one. The strong vanilla is not a problem for me and I hope you like them.

I found George Dickel Bottled In Bond in an interesting way. I decided to just use the Virginia ABC web site to search for something interesting to try instead of signing up for a lottery and being disappointed or paying outrageous prices for some product that has tripled in price since the last time I tried the whiskey. Mrsalphageek was kind enough to get me a bottle in a Virginia ABC store on her way from work. Not every store carries this product, so it was a stroke of good luck to find George Dickel Bottled In Bond nearby.

While the web site said George Dickel Bottled In Bond was 13 years old, my bottle says 11 years. While not the same, finding any bottle of whiskey with a double digit age statement that is reasonably priced these days is a score worth writing about, so here goes.

Nose: Oak heavy with a hint of sweet caramel, then the oak comes back again, and there is not much in the way of a strong ethanol.

Pop: This is a mild up front flavor. The flavor grows slowly, until it blooms fully into the taste.

Taste: The taste is rich and generous. There is an amazing body, almost syrupy just the way I love it.

Finish: Goes down easily, smoothly without any burn.

Some may argue the value proposition of George Dickel Bottled In Bond, but I find it to be an incredible value in a world filled with over $100 whiskey being common. At around $40, one should grab this if at all possible if you are looking for something interesting to try.

WhistlePig Taste Off

George Dickel Bottled in Bond