WhistlePig creates whiskey with Robbie Robertson

Vermont-based distillery WhistlePig has released a Thanksgiving whiskey created in collaboration with the late Robbie Robertson of The Band.

WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey – Robbie’s Blend has been designed to celebrate The Last Waltz, a Thanksgiving concert film and album by The Band that marks its 45th anniversary this year.

The bottles have been dipped in wax that includes melted vinyl from the album.

The 43% ABV expression blends whiskeys from three Old World wine barrels, including Port, Madeira and Sauternes, with a medley of flavours including ripe citrus and cedar followed by walnut, oak tannin and white pepper.

“Watching The Last Waltz on Thanksgiving is a tradition for many. We’re humbled to give fans another way to celebrate The Last Waltz’s legacy this season with a new whiskey created in collaboration with Robbie himself,” said WhistlePig distiller Mitch Mahar.

“With his personal touches, Robbie’s Blend offers a bespoke whiskey that gives you a symphony of flavour in every sip.”

The expression launched in tandem with The Last Waltz vinyl re-release on 6 October, with a release party in Nashville at music venue Analog, hosted by rights and branding company Iconoclast. It is available to purchase from WhistlePig’s website and select Tennessee retailers for US$175.

“Thanksgiving is a perfect encapsulation of everything The Last Waltz stood for: a collaborative, familial and inclusive spirit that you could feel through the speakers,” said Olivier Chastan, founder of Iconoclast, WhistlePig’s partner for the release.

“We are continuing this spirit of collaboration by bringing together Robbie – a consummate tastemaker – and WhistlePig – a whiskey reserved for those with the finest taste – to create WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey – Robbie’s Blend.”

In August, WhistlePig’s CEO revealed plans to expand beyond the rye whiskey category.

Last month, the distillery collaborated with Alfa Romeo Formula 1 Team Stake to create a wind tunnel-trialled whiskey.