Whistlepig Gravestock Wheat Whiskey Review.
Sometimes, I know I'm walking into a weird one, and I do it anyway. WhistlePig’s GraveStock Wheat Whiskey, a collaboration with none other than the canned chaos kings over at Liquid Death. Yes, the water company. This oddball pairing had me equal parts skeptical and curious. On one hand, I drink Liquid Death’s sparkling water and teas almost daily, they've been a lifesaver in helping me kick the afternoon energy drink habit. On the other hand, WhistlePig and I have a... complicated history. Some hits, some serious misses. So when I saw this bottle on a Total Wine shelf a good price, I figured why not roll the dice? If nothing else, it makes for a hell of a conversation.
Let’s break this Frankenstein creation down. WhistlePig sourced a Canadian whiskey built on a rye and wheat mash bill. They then shipped it down to the U.S., where it was finished in oversized 380-gallon charred American oak “caskets.” For perspective, your typical whiskey barrel is around 53 gallons. And here's where Liquid Death comes in: their mountain spring water is used to proof the whiskey down to 43% ABV. So you’ve got a Canadian base, an enormous American oak finish, and proofing water from a punk rock water company. Somehow, this manages to be both try-hard and kind of genius.
It’s also reportedly aged for a few years in standard American oak before getting the Liquid Death treatment, but exact age statements are nowhere to be found. Let’s just say it’s “mature-ish.”
For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/BTqA6PanFYQ.
Age Statement: N/A.
ABV: 43%.
Mash bill: N/A (Contains Wheat and Rye).
Area of Distillation: Canada.
Appearance: Pale golden.
On the nose:
It opens soft and subtle, as expected for 43% ABV. Light herbal notes come through first, minty, grassy, with a soft whisper of rye spice. There’s a bit of oily depth and a faint toasted oak presence that hints at those giant casks. Give it a spin in the glass and things start to shift slightly: a touch of maltiness begins to emerge, almost like a lightly hopped craft beer. Unfortunately, as it settles, a thin layer of acetone starts to show up in the background, not dominant, but enough to be noticed. It’s not offensive, just a reminder that this one may still be finding its footing.
Taste:
Right off the bat, this is an easy sipper. The palate starts with some rye spice and wheat-driven graininess, then shifts toward a light herbal and floral character. It’s oily enough to keep things interesting, with a bit of oak char and orchard fruit sweetness tucked into the middle. Vanilla shows up briefly before the finish starts to wrestle with itself. There’s a metallic note that threatens to take over, but it never quite does, possibly reined in by the secondary cask.
Finish:
Here’s where it stumbles. The finish wants to go metallic, but backs off just enough to keep from being unpleasant. Still, it leaves a somewhat flat, forgettable impression. It's soft, slightly earthy, and ends on a whimper rather than a bang.
Final Thoughts:
WhistlePig’s GraveStock Wheat Whiskey isn’t bad, but it’s definitely not great. It’s a conversation piece more than a standout pour. I’ll give credit where it’s due: the concept is fun, the packaging is clever, and the collaboration with Liquid Death a fairly creative partnership. But at the end of the day, the product inside the bottle feels like it played things a little too safe.
At $63, I can live with this bottle, but anything approaching $70 or $80 (as some online listings suggest) is pushing it. There’s potential here, and I think with an older base whiskey and a bump in proof to, say, 45–47%, this could really shine. For now, though, it’s an okay pour wrapped in a clever marketing story. If you’re into whiskey experiments or a fan of either brand, it’s worth a curious try, but don’t expect a flavor revolution.
Rating: C- (Slightly below average).
Cost: $63.99 for 750ml.
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