Commitment to innovation drives us to build an iconic piece of spirits history: the renewal of a vast Vermont farm into a true farm-to-bottle operation. Using sustainable practices, oak trees harvested from woodlots in Addison County, Vermont become our barrels that will hold distillate made from grain grown on our farm, and our forests become healthy ecosystems for future generations of whiskey lovers.

Vermont is our home, and we’re taking “sourced locally” to a whole new level. This year we will produce about 1,000 barrels made from white oak, one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern North America. Like our whiskey, white oak trees mature slowly, often taking 2-3 decades to provide significant shade, and over 100 years to yield sufficient wood for constructing barrels. That makes our signature 10 Year Rye Whiskey look practically young by comparison.

The white oak holds its own in the annals of American history. In fact, The Charter Oak in Hartford, CT is one of the most significant symbols of strength and freedom inspired by our Colonial ancestor’s resistance to tyranny. According to legend, Connecticut’s Royal Charter of 1662 was hidden in a hollow of the tree to thwart confiscation by the British governor-general. This refusal to hand over the Charter – despite threat of arms – is one of the greatest episodes of courage in early American history.

The Charter Oak fell in 1856, but its cousins still thrive on WhistlePig farm, where our grandchildren, when they reach adulthood, will enjoy WhistlePig Rye aged from the same branches that grant them shade. Well, we’ll drink to that.