Wigle Wry Rusky Whiskey

Wry Rusky is next in line in distillery's current Brewers Series. This is a collaboration with Grist House Craft Brewery in Millvale.

The inspiration for this spirit is Black in the USSR, one of the Grist House’s most popular brews. Black in the USSR is a Russian Imperial Stout. First described in seventeenth century, this style of beer has come roaring back from obscurity to worldwide popularity due to the development of craft brewing culture in the United States. The definition of a Russian Imperial Stout has changed a great deal since it was originally produced in England in the 1700s. In the most basic terms, Russian Imperial Stouts are dark, high-alcohol beers that tend to express flavors on the roasty/chocolatey side of the spectrum and will often include adjuncts or botanicals to enrich the flavor. The style of beer is said to have been a favorite of Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia in the 18th Century, hence the name “Russian Imperial”.

Black in the USSR is, to the extent that such a thing exists, a classic Russian Imperial Stout. It is dark, rich and smooth with a traditional flavor profile. Dark chocolate and coffee notes add a pleasantly bitter finish that compliments the creaminess of the beer.

The Wry Rusky whiskey pays homage to the original Black in the USSR beer by highlighting the spicy, roasty, toasty, boozy and bold characteristics. In order to replicate the spicy and roasty notes of Black in the USSR, distillery built their mash bill around locally grown rye grain and a blend of different malts. They sourced the rye from Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus and the malt portion of the grain bill is comprised of five different malts that lend body, sweetness, and complex roasty and bitter notes. Wry Rusky was aged in new, charred American oak barrels for over 18 months. Such an aging process reinforces the bold, roasty characteristics of the whiskey.

46% ABV (92 Proof)