WhistlePig Single Barrel 17yr Rye Vs. Coalition Barrel Proof Rye

Today we have one of those reviews that is purely to help with your purchasing decisions!
Here we have 2 different 100% Ryes, both cask strength, and both $129.
One is in a beautiful art-deco decanter, and the other is MUCH older.
Fancy Glencairn has to go for that beautiful art-deco Coalition bottle… Lets see if that is enough to make her a winner today!

WhistlePig) $129, 109.4 proof. Aged 17yrs. 100% Canadian Rye aged in Vermont (sourced from Alberta).
-The Nose is inviting with rich oak, allspice, anise, caramel, and a little mint, with freshly-cut grass.
-The Palate hits with a rich mouthfeel, and a caramel-vanilla sweetness that moves into clove, orange peel, white pepper, and a hint of mint.
-The Finish is long and warm, with butterscotch, caramel, mint, and the white pepper hanging on.
Overall I absolutely love this bottle. It’s incredibly different than the standard “10 year” release, and just a beautiful, old, Alberta cask strength rye!

Coalition) $129, 108.8 proof. Aged ~5yrs. 100% rye (10% malted rye). Produced by Kentucky Artisan Distillers (part owner).
-The Nose is promising with sweet vanilla fruit-cake, and then some orange-peel, clove, and mint.
-The Palate starts syrupy sweet and then quickly some black pepper, fruit-cake, and a hint of pear and citrus leading to mint. There’s also a little bitter-funk young-grain flavor toward the finish, and significant alcohol burn.
-The Finish is medium with primarily oak char, and black pepper.
Overall, this is a decently enjoyable bottle, but the bitter funk, and alcohol heat hold it back.

VERDICT) Clearly the WhistlePig is the easy winner here, and demonstrates to me how ridiculous the pricing on some of the newer “craft” distillery releases have become… This Coalition Rye is at-best a $50 product.
I would advise saving your money for now and I’ll revisit Coalition for you if they are still around in 2-3 years!
Fancy is disappointed with the mediocre product that is housed in one of her favorite bottle designs…

What do you guys think?