WhistlePig’s Unstoppable Force of Experimentation Brings Majesty & Might to The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut

Born in the Land of Kings, the Boss Hog XI is the World’s First Thandai Barrel Aged Whiskey

SHOREHAM, VT (October 15, 2024) — Today, WhistlePig Whiskey’s karmic quest for whiskey wonder culminates with the debut of The Boss Hog XI. This year, WhistlePig’s whiskey makers searched over 7,000 miles from the WhistlePig Farm to find enlightenment in Rajasthan, India. The Land of Kings revealed the perfect blend of spices to crown the latest rare edition in the storied The Boss Hog collection. A mastery of whiskey creation embodying majestic complexity and elephantine might, WhistlePig presents The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut.

The Juggernaut unites WhistlePig’s oldest and boldest Straight Rye Whiskey with the alluring and celebratory spices of Thandai, an aromatic Indian drink born of nuts and spices. After encountering Thandai during the Holi festival in Jaipur, WhistlePig’s experimental team combed Delhi’s Khari Baoli spice market for ingredients to create the world’s first Thandai whiskey barrels. These unique finishing barrels are seasoned with a marriage of aged Rye with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy and black peppercorn.

Every year we challenge ourselves to craft a Rye that is more stupendous, inspired, and intricate than each edition of The Boss Hog before it -Meghan Ireland

“Every year we challenge ourselves to craft a Rye that is more stupendous, inspired, and intricate than each edition of The Boss Hog before it,” said Meghan Ireland, Head Blender at WhistlePig. “After expanding our original five promises for The Boss Hog to ten tenants last year, we set out on our biggest challenge yet. When we discovered Thandai in India, we knew we had to find a way to translate its spice profile to a showstopping whiskey barrel for this precious Rye.”

Following extended aging in new American Oak barrels, each Single Barrel of The Boss Hog XI finishes its saga in the experimental Thandai barrels before bottling at proof to preserve its power. A medley of traditional Indian spices greets the nose, with cardamom joining the Rye’s natural allspice, clove and black pepper aromatics. The structured spice profile is balanced by playful over-ripe orchard fruit before cardamom, saffron and fennel take center stage. The Juggernaut finishes in waves of baking spice notes giving way to the soft sweetness of tropical fruit.

To crown the Rajah of Rye, The Boss Hog XI’s handmade, Vermont pewter pig topper is adorned in the style of the majestic Indian elephant. The limited edition The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut comes in a 750ml bottle and is bottled between 103.8 – 105.2 Proof (51.9-52.6% ABV)​, with a suggested retail price of $599.99. It will be sold at the best liquor stores, bars and restaurants across the nation and online at shop.whistlepigwhiskey.com as of October 15, 2024. Collectors can authenticate their bottle using NFC technology on the back label.

To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, X and Instagram.

About WhistlePig Whiskey

Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.

Okay, so this is certainly a lot, but it’s also not totally unexpected from a brand like WhistlePig.  Hell, it seems like year after year they lob a mind-grenade at us with a barrel finish most American whiskey consumers have never even heard of, let alone considered finishing ultra-aged rye whiskey in.  These crazy finishes always sound incredibly risky at face value, but after years of annual releases like Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Song (which was an absolute flavor missile) I think it’s time to just get excited about whatever Meghan Ireland and the team at WhistlePig Whiskey have cooked up for us this year.  Of course, I’ll follow this press release up with a review as soon as possible.  I can’t wait to try this one.  What is the craziest barrel finish you’ve seen or heard about?  Let me know on Twitter! Cheers!