I have been looking forward to getting my hands on WhistlePig PiggyBack Big Papi. Bottled at 48.28% ABV and priced at $55, it promises 6 years of maturation and genuine character.
Nose
Noticeably clean, clear golden color with medium weight.
Palate
Sweet, burnt sugar with citrus and spice, clove or cinnamon. Theres a bit of burn, but dont be fooled into thinking this is a hot pour. It drinks smooth, but tongue-tingly spicy. On my initial sips nearly all I was getting on the palate was intense, nondescript spicy tingle. I added a couple drops (and I mean literally two tiny drops of water) and the glass really opened up. Spice is still the star of the show, but its a discernible sweet cinnamon spice (think cinnamon gum from the checkout line at a co-op grocery store) that pops into black pepper. As the tingle fades, it leaves behind a relaxed caramel sweetness that prepares the palate for the next sips incoming spice.
Finish
If youre drinking this neat, I highly recommend opening it up with a very small addition of water. The intensity of the main flavor has me thinking that this is a good candidate for pairing with the right meal. As of this writing, field research is ongoing. Like I said before, the creative use of baseball bats puts a more interesting stamp on the whiskey than most celebrity endorsed bottles, and given that proceeds from the collaboration benefitting Ortiz charitable foundation, I think theres plenty here to enjoy as a baseball fan or a whiskey enthusiast.
The Bottom Line
WhistlePig PiggyBack Big Papi delivers the goods. It is well-made, genuinely enjoyable, and at $55 represents solid value for what you are getting. I would happily buy this again.
