WhistlePig has launched The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic Whiskey. The seventh edition in the Vermont distillery’s innovative Rye Whiskey collection, the limited edition expression is inspired by the first recorded circumnavigation of the earth.
WhistlePig The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic features straight Rye Whiskey aged for 17 years in American Oak, then finished in rare Spanish oak, followed by a second finish in South American teak wood casks. The limited edition expression captures the historic voyage of an intrepid crew who embarked from Spain in 1519 and made landfall in present-day Brazil before navigating the perilous strait that would come to bear their captain’s name. Like Magellan’s daring endeavor, the path for finishing this precious, aged whiskey was anything but certain.
WhistlePig’s Spanish oak casks originate in the mountainous forests of Cantabria, Spain. Unlike American white oak, this Spanish oak is high in tannins, knotty, and porous. It is incredibly challenging to make staves from and the final casks are prone to leakage and excess evaporation. While difficult to source and dangerous to use, the wood delivers intense flavors, with heightened interaction between spirit and oak, creating added complexity in the Whiskey.
For its final finish, South American teak wood casks are sustainably sourced from Brazil. The new teak wood adds rich notes of baking spices and a sweet, toasted character.
“We have experimented with South American teak wood on just a handful of barrels in the past, and both this and the New Spanish Oak are uncommon in the whiskey world,” says Meghan Ireland, Maturation Chemist, WhistlePig. “It’s been the least predictable and most intensive edition of The Boss Hog to date, but well worth the trials and effort.”
“The Spanish oak casks deliver a unique and unparalleled flavor and South American Teakwood was among the most coveted Bespoke Barrels in our exclusive Single Barrel program. We anticipated that the combination would make for an unprecedented taste and we couldn’t be happier with the result,” says Jeff Kozak, CEO, WhistlePig.
“Our 17-year-old straight rye whiskey spends three weeks resting in Spanish oak before finishing in South American Teakwood for just three days. The whiskey world has never before seen this truly one of a kind combination of casks, nor has it tasted anything quite like the resulting product and liquid it has produced,” says Pete Lynch, Master Blender, WhistlePig. “A one-hour proprietary toast with the Spanish oak creates a small char layer that removes some tannins but preserves the good ones. A medium level toast grants incredibly aromatic cinnamon, allspice, and roasted nut flavors, while softening the overall intensity of the greener wood notes in the finishing cask.”
On the nose, Magellan’s Atlantic features cinnamon sugar, allspice, and maple. With time, toasted wood notes arise alongside creamy vanilla, roasted almonds, and a touch of ground espresso. Spicy cloves and sweet brandied cherries abound, with baking spices rampant. A closer look reveals subtle hints of charred oak, sage, and dark chocolate. Finishing with everlasting gobs of cinnamon, oak spice, and a gentle warmth demand another sip.
The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic is presented in a gift box documenting the quest and crowned with a collectible pewter topper depicting Magellan as a pig in traditional Spanish dress, bravely taking up his sail and an explorer’s staff at the outset of his journey.
Magellan’s Atlantic is just the beginning of WhistlePig’s journey around the globe. Collectors are invited to join the expedition by registering their bottle at TheBossHogVII.com. Using the unique code found on the bottle’s neck label collectors are able to access exclusive content and, in time, discover what lies ahead on the Pacific horizon.
Bottled 52.6-53.9% ABV, WhistlePig The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic is available for $499.99 per 750ml bottle. It will be sold at a variety of premium liquor stores, bars and restaurants across the United States, entering select international markets in the coming weeks, and is now available for pre-sale via Caskers.com.