From the world’s most awarded Rye Whiskey comes the prize pig of any rare whiskey collection. Known for wildly complex, experimental, and super-aged whiskeys, WhistlePig delivers their biggest, boldest, and undisputedly the world’s best whiskey in each edition of The Boss Hog.
Now in its tenth year, each release of The Boss Hog represents a ‘world’s first’ whiskey – the reward of an experiment never-before-attempted, bringing together WhistlePig’s oldest Rye Whiskey with casks seasoned from the four corners of the world. In 2021, the whiskey team took that pursuit to truly unchartered waters with The Boss Hog VIII: The One That Made It Around the World. A rarity within The Boss Hog VII and VIII sequel, The One That Made It Around the World unites four cask finishes from across the whiskeys awarded Best Rye Whiskey (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) and Best of the Best (Robb Report).
The Boss Hog VII and VIII sequel, The One That Made It Around the World
In 2021, the whiskey team took that pursuit to truly unchartered waters with The Boss Hog VIII: The One That Made It Around the World. A rarity within The Boss Hog VII and VIII sequel, The One That Made It Around the World unites four cask finishes from across the whiskeys awarded Best Rye Whiskey (San Francisco World Spirits Competition) and Best of the Best (Robb Report). Inspired by the world’s first circumnavigation and captivated by Magellan’s demise, WhistlePig sent eleven barrels of Straight Rye Whiskey around the world to finish in Andalusia Spain. Each barrel enjoys a four-cask finish in Spanish Oak, South American Teakwood, and Single Island Philippine Rum Barrels Aged 7 & 10 Years. Holding true to The Boss Hog’s founding promises, it is powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything we (or any other whiskey maker) have done before, and – truly – stupendous. Just 1,500 bottles of The Boss Hog VIII: The One That Made It Around the World exist and this auction marks its debut to the world.
The Boss Hog VII: Magellan's Atlantic
Finished in spicy Spanish Oak and fragrant South American Teakwood, Magellan's Atlantic is another world's first and the beginning of an epic journey of discovery. This Spanish Oak from the Cantabrian Mountains in Northern Spain is uniquely porous and high in tannins, making it a rare and challenging cask. Few would attempt to age 17 year old rye whiskey in it, but intense spice notes and unparalleled complexity are worth the pursuit. South American Teakwood (also known as Amburana) is soft and aromatic, imbuing roasted nut, allspice and cinnamon notes–one of the very spices Magellan’s crew was in search of. Its pewter stopper depicts Magellan as a pig in traditional Spanish dress, bravely taking up his sail and an explorer’s staff at the outset of his journey.
The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu's Pacific
Finished in high toast barrels that held small batch, single island Philippine rum for 7 & 10 years, LapuLapu’s Pacific is a spectacular sequel to Magellan’s Atlantic. Long barrel aging enriches the rum with rich notes of vanilla, caramel and oak. This uplifts the natural fruit and vanilla notes of the spirit while mellowing out sharper characteristics. When applied to a Rye as old as The Boss Hog, the effect is out of this world. ‘High toast’ means the Rum barrels are placed over a flame that slowly, gently burns the inside of over a long period of time (unlike charring which is faster with very high heat). This lends additional layers of vanilla, toffee and spice flavors, adding texture and length to the finish. Its pewter stopper depicts LapuLapu, the Filipino hero who defeated Magellan and his army at the Battle of Mactan–a symbol of strength and independence. No collection of The Boss Hog is complete without the Magellan/LapuLapu set, presented in companion boxes that connect the full circumnavigation, in which just 1 of 5 ships survived.