We’re now into double digits in terms of WhistlePig‘s Boss Hog releases, every of which is extra abjectly insane than the final. (The final was impressed by the Bible and the Ten Commandments, that includes milk and honey, frankincense and myrrh.) How a lot additional can the mad geniuses of Vermont take this idea of ending rye in weird-ass barrels? Nicely, at the least yet one more yr. For The Boss Hog XI, right here’s what’s in retailer.
Immediately, WhistlePig Whiskey’s karmic quest for whiskey surprise culminates with the debut of The Boss Hog XI. This yr, WhistlePig’s whiskey makers searched over 7,000 miles from the WhistlePig Farm to seek out enlightenment in Rajasthan, India. The Land of Kings revealed the proper mix of spices to crown the newest uncommon version within the storied The Boss Hog assortment. A mastery of whiskey creation embodying majestic complexity and elephantine may, 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 fragrant Indian drink born of nuts and spices. After encountering Thandai in the course of the Holi competition in Jaipur, WhistlePig’s experimental group combed Delhi’s Khari Baoli spice marketplace for components to create the world’s first Thandai whiskey barrels. These distinctive ending barrels are seasoned with a wedding of aged Rye with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy and black peppercorn.
“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. “After increasing our unique 5 guarantees for The Boss Hog to 10 tenants final yr, we set out on our largest problem but. After we found Thandai in India, we knew we needed to discover a method to translate its spice profile to a showstopping whiskey barrel for this valuable Rye.”
Following prolonged growing older in new American Oak barrels, every Single Barrel of The Boss Hog XI finishes its saga within the experimental Thandai barrels earlier than bottling at proof to protect its energy. A medley of conventional Indian spices greets the nostril, with cardamom becoming a member of the Rye’s pure allspice, clove and black pepper aromatics. The structured spice profile is balanced by playful over-ripe orchard fruit earlier than cardamom, saffron and fennel take heart stage. The Juggernaut finishes in waves of baking spice notes giving method to the smooth sweetness of tropical fruit.
To crown the Rajah of Rye, The Boss Hog XI’s handmade, Vermont pewter pig topper is adorned within the model of the majestic Indian elephant.
Depart it to WhistlePig to complete their whiskey in one thing I’ve by no means heard of. Thandai! Who knew? All that’s left for us to do is give this factor a attempt.
Boss Hog expressions are by no means shy on taste, and this whiskey, a deep shade of amber that’s virtually purple, isn’t any exception. The nostril is advanced and wealthy: Pungent, smoldering incense is probably the most fast aroma, although the heady spirit evokes all types of components — cloves, nutmeg, spicy chai, lemon and orange peel, and eventually saffron. I’ve by no means had a whiskey that evoked Asia so clearly — together with each whiskey I’ve had that was made in Asia. There’s clearly a motive for that given the way in which this was completed, however nonetheless.
On the palate, Boss Hog XI is a candy operator, which is properly in keeping with prior expressions. It actually wants the sweetness to counter all of the spices, which come throughout such as you’re crashing by a Delhi bazaar on a motorbike. Baking spices are up entrance. From there the expertise turns into rather more unique. That incense is liquified at this level, extraordinarily floral and evocative of India in myriad methods — heavy-spice tea leaf, star anise, saffron buns, numerous cardamom. Roses, jasmine, and lilac all burst on the end, lingering nearly eternally. I needed to go attempting to find a palate cleanser for this one simply to maintain from going insane.
You’re in all probability getting the image right here, and whereas extraordinarily daring flavors are not any stranger to The Boss Hog, this yr issues go just a bit too far, and the completed product is wildly unctuous and simply too weird. It now not resembles whiskey, and I can perceive if some drinkers really feel it comes throughout a bit an excessive amount of like some sort of holistic medication. With that in thoughts, I provide no touch upon whether or not this spirit will heal what ails you.
103.8 proof as reviewed (bottles range from 103.8 to 105.2 proof). Reviewed: Barrel #1.
B+ / $600 / whistlepigwhiskey.com
WhistlePig “The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut” Rye Whiskey 2024
$600
