WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Distillery: Bottled by WhistlePig Whiskey Co; Distilled in Kentucky

Proof: 88 (44% ABV)

Age: Ten Years

Mashbill: Not Disclosed

MSRP: $90

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A Unique Bourbon with a Twist of Vermont: Who They Are

WhistlePig has spent the last 15 years building a reputation as a leader in rye whiskey, with innovative cask finishes and bold flavor profiles. Now, the Vermont-based distillery is expanding its footprint into bourbon with Snout-to-Tail, a release that showcases WhistlePig’s signature innovation. This 10-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon is WhistlePig’s oldest corn-based whiskey to date.

The Snout-to-Tail Process

What sets this bourbon apart is its finishing process. After aging for a decade in Kentucky, the barrels are shipped to WhistlePig’s Vermont farm, where they undergo a unique secondary maturation.

Each finishing barrel features two distinct barrel heads—one medium-toasted Vermont oak head (“the snout”) and one smoked maple wood toast head (“the tail”). To ensure even exposure to both finishes, the barrels are flipped 180 degrees during the Vermont aging.

WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 3.75/5

Toffee, vanilla, and warm nutty notes lead the way, followed by sweet apple and cinnamon. The warm nutty notes remind me of popping open a tin of maple almond cookies during the holidays. 

Palate – 4/5

The first sip delivers roasted nuts and dark chocolate.  Mid-Palate, smokey maple emerges, adding notes that serve to further enhance the sweet side of the bourbon. The mouthfeel is light and yet inviting which allows for the maple notes to shine through.

Finish – 4/5

Lingering notes of toffee and an orange tanginess creates a pleasant and moderately long Finish. A subtle freshness adds a surprising twist at the end. The Finish is softer than I would have expected from a 10-year-old bourbon but lingers pleasantly, leaving me eager for another sip.

Value – 3.75/5

At $90 MSRP, Snout-to-Tail sits firmly in the premium category. For a 10-year-old, uniquely finished whiskey, the price is reasonable, especially given WhistlePig’s reputation for quality. Some enthuisiasts may find themselves curious about how this expression would perform at a 90+ proof point.

WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review: The Verdict

WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail Bourbon is a fascinating release that highlights the brand’s desire to push boundaries of traditional aging. The interplay between the Vermont oak and smoked maple creates a layered, complex whiskey that’s familiar and yet original. Though I suspect a higher proof point might have created more depth, this remains a highly enjoyable pour.

Verdict – 3.9/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3