Simply if you suppose WhistlePig’s “Boss Hog” releases can’t get any weirder, they elevate the bar once more. Or at the least they transfer it to completely totally different constructing.
For 2022, the Greek muse-inspired “Siren’s Tune” begins as a normal WhistlePig rye which works from its customary bourbon barrels into two sorts of ending barrels: Greek fig nectar and “farm-scratch tentura,” a Greek liqueur originating within the Peloponnesian metropolis of Patras. I needed to look that one up, too. In a primary for the sequence, each finishes had been created by WhistlePig itself in Vermont farm — therefore the “farm-scratch” tentura, as it’s not from Greece. The ending liquids had been “made utilizing each Greek and native elements, with the tentura cast from cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, orange peel, and honey.”
In case that’s not uncommon sufficient for you, notice that there are 9 totally different bottle stoppers for this sequence, in honor of the 9 muses:
To curate a Boss Hog that’s not like something collectors have seen or sipped earlier than, WhistlePig’s feminine whiskey makers turned to the 9 historic Muses from Greece, who impressed all method of discoveries and creations from science to artwork – and now profound whiskey. One of many 9 Muses and her respective arts grace every bottle within the type of a bespoke pewter topper, with the complete set of 9 randomly distributed on bottles throughout the nation. The Siren’s Tune identify hails from the Greek Sirens, daughters of Muses who allured admirers with their melodious name, and now beckons collectors to amass all 9. Collectors might be fortuitous to acquire a bottle capped with Melpomene, the Muse of Tragedy and most restricted bottle providing.
Our pattern bottle is topped by Erato, the muse of erotic poetry, amongst different issues.
“Yearly The Boss Hog is greater, bolder, and extra stupendous than the final. We’re always trialing new finishes to search out the following finest whiskey expertise, and in true WhistlePig trend, this yr’s version is a world’s first,” mentioned Meghan Eire, Head Blender at WhistlePig. “Our ambition to unlock the last word taste complexity – and the nectar and tentura, which had been new trials in and of themselves – was nicely well worth the problem as soon as we landed the ultimate product.”
“You may say the Greek Muses guided us towards the invention and persistence of making Siren’s Tune,” mentioned Liz Rhoades, Head of Whiskey Growth at WhistlePig. “In visiting Greece this summer season to supply elements and study from consultants at an unique tentura distillery, we had been drawn to the distinctly distinctive flavors of Greece and the way they might work together with the daring taste of our aged Rye Whiskey. We will’t watch for followers and collectors to bask in The Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Tune. Yamas!”
As a last notice, this launch can be distinctive among the many Boss Hog bottlings as a result of it’s the first within the sequence with out an age assertion.
OK, sufficient prologue. Able to dive in? I don’t blame you for those who’re cautious, however as you’ll quickly see, you needn’t be: That is a tremendous, and wholly distinctive, whiskey.
You want solely crack the bottle to turn out to be immersed in an insane stage of candy fig aromas, with notes of ginger secondary, adopted by cinnamon and nutmeg. Your entire affair is sort of festive — it is a good vacation sipper — and it virtually begs to be consumed whereas sporting your best Christmas sweater. The palate is inviting and instantly pours on these baking spices: cinnamon, clove, and raisin notes backed by plums and cherries. The flavors are reminscent of Swedish glögg — solely denser and, after all, filtered by high quality rye whiskey. The expertise modestly evolves within the glass, transferring from brazen spice notes to a peppery, frivolously woody notice that tempers the baking cupboard, finally returning to the clearer fig component for the end. Notes of maple and a enjoyable amaretto component linger on the prolonged fade-out.
I absolutely acknowledge that this description sounds such as you’re about to detonate a sugar bomb, however miraculously the whiskey has a steadiness to it that by no means comes throughout as cloying or medicinal. Whereas it really works finest after dinner with dessert or as a digestif, it’s actually a lot enjoyable that I’d sip on it nearly any time. Particularly over the vacations.
106.2 proof as reviewed (bottles range from 102.5 to 106.2 relying on barrel). Reviewed: Barrel #2.
A / $600 / whistlepigwhiskey.com
WhistlePig “The Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Tune” Rye Whiskey 2022
$600
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