WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye is the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell's final creation, designed in 2018 as the ultimate aged rye whiskey for cocktails. Pickerell wanted to capture full spice flavor with a 100% rye mash bill, then dial in the perfect age and proof for bartender use. He landed on six years of aging in new American oak barrels and a precise 96.56 proof, what he called the optimal point in the strength to sweet to bitter cocktail triangle. The result is a 100% rye that holds its own neat, sips smooth on the rocks, and stands up to citrus, vermouth, and bitters in a classic Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Vieux Carré, or Whiskey Sour. PiggyBack is hand bottled at the WhistlePig farm in Shoreham, Vermont and carries small Pickerell tributes: the pig mascot wears a Stetson hat rather than the usual top hat, and the bottle includes his birth and death years (1956 and 2018) for those who look closely. A bartender's benchmark and the gateway into the WhistlePig house style.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
WhistlePig |
| Distillery |
Distilled in Alberta, Canada (Alberta Distillers); aged and bottled at WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham, Vermont |
| Founder |
Raj Bhakta (Founded 2007) |
| Original Master Distiller |
Dave Pickerell (1956 to 2018) |
| Category |
Straight Rye Whiskey, Small Batch, Pot Distilled |
| Mash Bill |
100% Rye |
| Age Statement |
6 Years |
| Maturation |
New American Oak Barrels |
| ABV |
48.28% |
| Proof |
96.56 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States (Vermont) |
Tasting Notes
Color: Light amber with golden honey highlights.
Nose: Fresh cinnamon, black peppercorn, tangerine, and grapefruit zest with a soft caraway accent underneath.
Palate: Powerfully spicy with cocoa, cardamom, and cured leather, balanced by a clean rye grain core and bright citrus lift.
Finish: Wonderfully lengthy with baking spices, vanilla, and hints of citrus that linger evenly.
FAQ
Why is PiggyBack 96.56 proof? Master Distiller Dave Pickerell deliberately landed on 96.56 proof as the optimal point in what he called the strength to sweet to bitter cocktail triangle. PiggyBack was his final creation before his passing in 2018 and is purpose built for bartenders and home cocktails. The unusual specific proof is a signature detail.
What does the Stetson hat on the pig mean? The PiggyBack pig mascot wears a Stetson hat instead of the usual WhistlePig top hat as a tribute to Dave Pickerell, who often wore a Stetson. The bottle also includes his birth and death years (1956 and 2018) for those who look closely.
What cocktails does PiggyBack Rye work best in? Almost any rye forward classic. Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Vieux Carré, Whiskey Sour, Sazerac. Pickerell engineered the proof and age specifically for cocktail applications, but the whiskey holds its own neat or on the rocks.
How does PiggyBack Rye differ from PiggyBack Bourbon? The Rye is 100% rye, distilled in Alberta Canada, bottled at 96.56 proof. The Bourbon is a high corn mash bill with a dash of rye, aged in Char #3 barrels, and bottled at a cleaner 100 proof. Both six years old, both Pickerell era creations, but different categories with different use cases. Compare with the PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon or step up to the flagship WhistlePig 10 Year Rye.
Where can I buy WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
