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WhistlePig extends superhero rye series
Vermont-based distillery WhistlePig has unveiled the eighth edition of its superhero rye collection in the UK, called The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific.
Launched to coincide with the US’ Independence Day celebrations tomorrow (4 July), the distillery has explored ‘unchartered territory in the world of rye’ to create a whiskey that is described as powerfully complex and distinctive from anything created before.
The whiskey has been aged for nearly 18 years in new American oak before being double finished in high toast barrels that previously held small batch, single island-aged Philippine rum.
It is the sequel to The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic, and continues the brand’s ‘circumnavigation’ voyage across the Pacific via its cask sourcing.
With a sub-title name of LapuLapu’s Pacific, the release takes its inspiration and name historically and symbolically from the Philippines and the Filipino hero of the same name from 16th Century.
Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig blender, said: “On the heels and success of Magellan’s Atlantic, it was a great challenge to find the perfect finish for the most special rye barrels in our warehouse.
“We were already tracing Magellan in depth, and when we discovered LapuLapu’s story we knew we had to track down the best Philippines rum barrels we could for the sequel.
“Before maturing rum for seven-to-10 years, the barrels were coopered from American oak and originally held Bourbon. In this way, they’ve made their own circumnavigation from American whiskey to the Philippines, and back again to us in Vermont.
“The whiskey rests first in seven-year-old small batch Philippine rum casks, followed by a shorter finish in 10-year-old small batch Philippine rum casks. The older rum is darker and bolder, requiring less time for its barrels to impart notes in the whiskey. The end result is an amazingly unique and delicious whiskey.”
On the nose, the whiskey is said to offer lush vanilla aromas that give way to delicate tropical notes including underripe bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses.
Meanwhile on the palate, LapuLapu’s Pacific offers fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch, and lights notes of toffee, leading to a rich finish of tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice with a long-lasting black pepper rye spice.
The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific is available from 4 July onwards in specialist retailers for RRP £675 (US$855.22).
On-trade partnerships
In addition to the new product release, WhistlePig will also marking this year’s Fourth of July celebrations with a number of on-trade partnerships in London, UK.
On the evening of 4 July, Stereo in Covent Garden will open at 5:30pm local time to offer WhistlePig tastings and cocktails. Live music from DJ Abi Murray will be playing throughout the evening.
At Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London, the will be an exclusive listing of the WhistlePig signature serve, The Maple Old Fashioned, as well as other signature WhistlePig cocktails that will be accompanied by a miniature doughnut.
Meanwhile at The Bloomsbury Club, guests can enjoy the WhistlePig Spiced Maple Bacon Old Fashioned and Apple Pie Sazerac alongside a menu of American-themed bar bites infused with WhistlePig maple syrup.
Exclusive WhistlePig cocktail listings will also be available to enjoy at Callooh Callay in Chelsea, Murder Inc, and Little Bat.