While whiskey is certainly enjoyable any time of year, the brown stuff is probably best enjoyed in the winter months. It's dark, it's warming, it's comforting... whiskey just makes sense when the temperature drops. Summer drinks, meanwhile, tend to be refreshing, such as a cold pilsner or a mai tai. Those are typically what people are drinking on the beach, not an old fashioned. But WhistlePig is looking to make summer whiskey a thing with some help from retro sunglasses brand Pit Viper with its latest limited-edition whiskey, SummerStock.
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WhistlePig x Pit Viper Summerstock Whiskey Read More -
WhistlePig x Pit Viper SummerStock Whiskey & Sunglasses Read More
To make its latest whiskey, WhistlePig — which has been straying more and more from its core rye whiskey lineup lately, to splendid results — has blended its signature rye with a wheat whiskey. As is typical from the brand, no mashbill has been provided, but the combo tips the scales at 86 proof in the bottle. There's no age statement either, but the brand says the whiskey is "solara" aged. That's not a misprint, but rather a play on solera aging, which is a maturation process that involves blending new spirit with aged spirit in a series of increasingly older casks. For WhistlePig's solara aging process, the brand swapped in different levels of toasted barrels for the whiskey's maturation, with the most notable barrels having spent time outside toasting in the sun — which is why WP is referring to SummerStock as "sun-toasted."
For the SummerStock release — which occurs today, on the summer solstice — WhistlePig collaborated with sunglasses brand Pit Viper, which contributed to the brightly-colored, early '90s-inspired co-branded bottle and packaging. Pit Viper is also providing a matching, custom pair of its 2000s wraparound sunglasses that are available as a package deal with the whiskey. The reason for all of this hoopla around the sun is to celebrate WhistlePig transitioning to 100 percent solar power at its Vermont farm and distillery earlier this year. As part of that celebration, part of the proceeds from sales of SummerStock will be donated to Everybody Solar, an organization that provides free solar power to nonprofits.
Tasting WhistlePig SummerStock Whiskey
OK, enough talk, it's time to drink some whiskey. According to WhistlePig, the tasting notes of SummerStock are as follows:
- Nose: Sweet maple notes with hints of vanilla
- Palate: Oak, baking spice and maple tempered by the softness of wheat
- Finish: Slight jammy finish
For me, the first thing I notice is the whiskey's appearance. In the glass, it's a shade darker than straw-colored and pretty light-bodied. So far, so good if the goal is to create something refreshing. On the nose, I get all maple syrup, which is pretty much par for the course for WhistlePig rye. On the palate, it's quite sweet. I'm not sure how much corn, if any, is in the mashbill, but I get a candy-corn taste (not candy corn, but like a candied corn) along with some of that creamy wheat and more maple. The finish is pleasant and soft, similar to what I'd expect from a wheated bourbon.
Overall, this is a really nice whiskey — another win from WhistlePig. I wouldn't say it's particularly refreshing or inherently summery, but its sweetness and softness mean it would work excellently in a highball or sour. In other words, throw some of this stuff in a cocktail and you've got yourself a perfect poolside libation.
Where to buy WhistlePig SummerStock Whiskey
WhistlePig SummerStock goes on sale today, June 21, on WhistlePig's website. It's available either as a full kit complete with the Pit Viper 2000s sunglasses, or on its own with no shades. For the whiskey and sunnies combo, the price is $150. If you'd like to purchase the whiskey on its own, that will set you back around $73 and is available at other retailers.
