Wigle? yep. Wigle (pronounced Viggle). I am not sure you have heard about this new distillery located in Pennsylvania (I know I have not before i got sent a sample). But I’m always keen to get to know a new interesting distillery, and this one is pretty nice. First of all, I should thank Shai (@dsappl) whos recently wrote his first guest blog here (cigar review, check it out if you missed it for some reason). Shai is a whisk(e)y lover, and does quite some dramming, and he was fortunate enough to visit this distillery when he visited family in the US. This is the first sample of 4 lovely ones he sent over, so keep your eyes peeled for 3 other reviews coming soon (one is a cracking Caol Ila Indie, 27 yo well worth trying). Anyways, some info about Wigle is due : Wigle is named for a good-natured man who was sentenced to hang for his unsinkable love of whiskey. In 1794, Phillip Wigle defended his right to distil in a tussle with a tax collector. He unwittingly helped spark the Whiskey Rebellion, which pitted Pennsylvania distillers against George Washington’s troops.
Wigle Whiskey is working to restore a Pennsylvania tradition championed by these rebellious distillers. They make spirits much the same way Wigle and his friends did – with a copper pot and local ingredients.
Wigle Whiskey was a wine-induced brainstorm brought on during a family vacation to the Shaw Festival at Niagra on the Lake. After touring wineries, Meredith and Alex suggested a family distillery as an urban counterpart to a family winery (and as a way to keep Mark out of everyone’s hair in his impending retirement). By the time they crossed the border back to the States, there was no turning back. From the car, they called Eric, who was wrapping up a fellowship in Tacoma, Washington, and asked him to come home to Pittsburgh to lead the start up of the distillery. The next week Mary Ellen found a space in the Strip District and the rest is history. It is 100% family owned. Cool story or what?
Wigle Organic Wheat, 46% , 375 ml , batch #3
This whisky is made from Local heirloom grains milled on site, distilled in a copper pot, and finished in honeycomb wood.
Nose: Quite young obviously, with a lot of sweetness, wood, and a lovely interesting dark honey with spices, cereal, and touch of maple. It does feel stronger than its 46%.
Palate: Quite harsh at first, then mellows down with some grain and cereal, caramel and wood. Some spice too, with pepper,and hot cinnamon. Young and very flavourful with a lot of wood influence (Duh).
Finish: Oatmeal, pepper, sweet molasses, and dough.
A very nice, easy sipping kind of whisky, don’t expect tons of complexity, but for a summer day, on the rocks, or in a nice cocktail, this baby can shine. It’s very nice.
Cheers!