There is no replacing time in the barrel. As age statements on whiskey disappear across the board, WP is marching in the opposite direction with the release of its 12 year old “Old World Series.”
Starting with the Sauternes single-finished rye which took “Double Gold” and “Best Rye Whiskey” – the highest awards possible – from the San Francisco Spirits Competition. This 12-year-old whiskey sets the stage for a whole new series of WhistlePig where New World boldness meets Old World elegance.
Come June our Master Distiller Dave Pickerell will release the final nationally launched product – a marriage of all three finishes into one exquisite 12-year-old rye whiskey of yet undetermined quantity.
To read some reviews of the series check out:
- These 20 whiskeys just won the highest honor, by Portia Crowe, Business Insider
- WhistlePig: Old World Sauternes Finish Rye Whiskey Review, by S.D. Peters,The Whiskey Reviewer
- WhistlePig ‘ups game’ with wine cask finishes, by Becky Paskin, The Spirits Business
Barrels from our own Trees – Whiskey from our own Grain
Beyond our plans to grow hundreds of acres of rye grain, in addition to distilling, aging and hand bottling all on our farm, we are currently felling logs of Vermont oak from our property to make custom barrels with the help of Independent Stave Company. Highlights of the Vermont Oak Project include:
- Oak harvested from WhistlePig Farm will produce approximately 1000 barrels per year, equivalent to 45,000 board feet of scarce white oak
- Barrels will impart distinct ‘terroir’ flavor as VT oak has tighter grain pattern compared to commonly used Missouri oak due to the shortened growing season in Vermont
- Dave Pickerell is currently designing custom toast and char with ISC to further distinguish this unique maturation process
The Vermont Oak Project is at the very heart of our farm-to-table philosophy. As one of the only distilleries in the country to make custom barrels from local trees, this project also supports our continuing commitment to agricultural sustainability; all white oak is strategically selected to promote a healthier forest, while we simultaneously replenish felled trees with new seedlings. For more information please watch the video below.
April’s Press Highlights:
- Don Draper and the History of Rye Whiskey, by Brad Japhe & Raj Bhakta, San Francisco Weekly
- WhistlePig’s New Rye Recalls the Old World, by Jack Bettridge, Cigar Afficionado
- Women Who Whiskey, Fox News Video
- Our Favorite April Fools’ Day Stunts, by Annie Licata, Men’s Journal
- The Funniest April Fools’ Day Spirits News, by Becky Paskin, The Spirits Business
Until our next encounter,
