Of all of the annual whiskey releases — and there are lots of — few draw as a lot collective pleasure amongst whiskey followers as WhistlePig’s Boss Hog. Now in its eleventh yr, the newest iteration is dubbed Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut and options one of many rarest getting older strategies we’ve ever seen.
The Juggernaut discovered inspiration in Thandai, an fragrant Indian drink made with nuts and spices. After encountering Thandai through the Holi competition in Jaipur, members of the WhistlePig workforce sourced the requisite substances wanted to create the world’s first Thandai whiskey barrels. These barrels had been seasoned with aged rye that was merged with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy and black peppercorn. First, Boss Hog XI underwent in depth getting older in new American oak barrels earlier than shifting to the Thandai barrels for added getting older.
Rarity is nothing new for WhistlePig. Boss Hog X invoked frankincense, myrrh, and mead in its cask ending protocols, whereas Boss Hog IX was completed in Greek fig nectar casks and tentura casks. The entire idea is constructed on the premise of being daring and totally different. There are even guidelines governing every year’s launch: It have to be single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully advanced, distinctive from something they’ve achieved earlier than, and “stupendous.”
Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut hits these marks. The Thandai spice profile interprets to the liquid, which sports activities notes of cardamom, clove, allspice, and black pepper. All that spice is balanced by orchard fruits, tropical fruits, fennel, and a contact of candy oak. The end is lengthy and spicy, with undercurrents of juicy fruits.
“Yearly we problem ourselves to craft a rye that’s extra stupendous, impressed, and complicated than every version of The Boss Hog earlier than it,” stated Meghan Eire, Head Blender at WhistlePig. She referred to as this yr’s model the model’s greatest problem but, however when the workforce found Thandai in India, they knew they needed to discover a solution to showcase that spice profile in rye whiskey.
WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut is obtainable now in choose liquor shops and bars, and it’s additionally on-line. It’s packaged in a 750 mL bottle and incorporates a handmade pewter pig topper within the type of an Indian elephant, in order that’s a enjoyable contact. The rye whiskey is bottled between 103.8 – 105.2 proof (our bottle comes from barrel one and is 103.8 proof) and has a instructed retail worth of $599.99. In order for you a bottle, act quick — The Boss Hog collection is widespread amongst whiskey nerds and collectors.
