The WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon earns its spot on the Camp West shelf in West Seattle by being exactly what a good house bourbon should be: honest, sweet, and easy to reach for. WhistlePig made its name on rye, but PiggyBack Bourbon is their nod to the corn-forward side of American whiskey, built to drink well on its own and to play nicely in a cocktail. It is the kind of pour we are happy to recommend whether you are a bourbon regular or just easing in.
About the Distillery
WhistlePig is the Vermont farm distillery that turned rye whiskey into a craft obsession. The PiggyBack line is their more approachable, value-minded family of whiskeys, named for the idea of riding alongside the flagship bottlings. The PiggyBack Bourbon brings WhistlePig’s attention to quality to a category they are better known for visiting than living in, and the result is a well-made six-year bourbon that punches above its price.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a straight bourbon built on a high-corn mash bill with a dash of rye, aged six years in heavily charred (Char #3) barrels, and bottled at 100 proof. The corn gives it sweetness and body, while that touch of rye and the char keep it from turning flat. The 100-proof strength is deliberate, giving it enough backbone to hold up in mixed drinks.
Tasting Notes
The nose leads with caramel corn, vanilla, and oak, with a hint of leather underneath. On the palate it turns to maple, vanilla, and honeycrisp apple with a creamy mouthfeel, a little cinnamon spice up front, and a thread of burnt orange. The finish drifts toward herbal tea and honey. Its sweeter profile makes it especially good in citrus-forward and sour cocktails.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
At Camp West we like this one a few ways. Neat or over a rock, the maple-and-vanilla sweetness comes through clearly. Because of that sweeter profile, it also shines in citrus and sour drinks, so it is a natural pick if you want it built into a cocktail. PiggyBack Bourbon pours for $13.
FAQ
Is PiggyBack Bourbon good for cocktails? Yes. At 100 proof with a sweet, corn-forward profile, it holds up well and is especially good in citrus and sour drinks.
How is it different from PiggyBack Rye? The bourbon is corn-forward and sweeter, while the rye is spicier and built around a 100% rye mash bill.
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