Elevator Row
GrainHenge
Canada
58.2%
Mash bill: 100% Alberta malted barley
Barrels used: #3 & #4 New American Oak & New American Oak
This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed home, this little piggy had roast beef, this little piggy had none, this little piggy went … Wee, wee, wee, all the way home!
Why on Earth am I beginning today’s dram with a nursery rhyme? Well, in this case, this little piggy is named Francis and he escaped the abattoir and ran amuck around the grain elevators for over six months! The piggy became infamous, even having school children write into the abattoir begging them to keep the piggy safe when he was found. This was in the Summer of 1990 and the piggy's fate is still a source of inspiration. Troubled Monk, which is the brewery that began GrainHenge whisky, made a beer and dedicated it to this little piggy, naming it Pesky Pig Pale Ale. It then became one of their top selling beers! When creating this whisky, the mash bill of the beer was again the source of inspiration, chalk full of 2-row & dark munich malt, lending big notes of raisins and dried fruits.
They’ve only been releasing whisky for a year at this point and have four stellar releases to their name already. I'm particularly excited to see where this distillery goes.
Tasting notes: Cask strength drams are important to taste without water first so we can experience it as it was meant to be. If you find that the whisky is a bit hot, add a few drops of water. For me, I enjoyed it best with the water added. On the nose is that roasted malt with hints of chocolate. The palate brings forward baking spices like cinnamon,nutmeg, and one of my favorite notes: nutmeg. Feels very Festive!
What do you think?