As America’s leading independent whiskey makers, WhistlePig celebrates rye whiskey and its nuanced complexities. While its signature spirit is always a great pour, the distiller’s specialty releases take the golden amber liquor in new directions. With The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh, Egyptian lore infuses the exceptional release with impeccable flavor and storytelling.
Rye whiskey drinkers appreciate WhistlePig’s creativity. From aging releases in wind tunnels to mimic intense racing speeds to partnering with brands like Liquid Death to expose the importance of water in the finishing process, the Vermont based distillers appreciate that the “why” flavors the liquor as much as the technique.
In addition to the brand’s classic offerings, the specialty releases become the sought after bottles for whiskey enthusiasts. Whether it is 30 year aged The BigShǝBàng to award winning 25 Year Single Malt Badönkådonk, these high-end offerings instantly became collectibles. They showcase the distiller’s commitment to seek new finishes, explore nuanced flavors, and sprinkle a little fun into the whole process.
What is WhistlePig’s the Boss Hog Series?
For 13 years, the Boss Hog Series infuses a single barrel Rye Whiskey with its core commandments. With a commitment to be powerfully complex and distinctly unique from anything that they have done previously, every release is tied to its core but also journeys to an unexpected place. From last year’s Fire and Flame to the Juggernaut, global influences connect America’s spirit to various cultures.
This year, The Boss Hog XXII: The Golden Pharaoh breaks the seal on a complex, unique flavor offering. After unearthing a secret buried in a tomb, this limited release features ingredients never previously used.
As Meghan Ireland, Head Blender at WhistlePig explained, “Through our research, we came across a tiger nut cake recipe carved into the side of a tomb dating back more than 3,000 years. We learned that tiger nuts and black honey were a true taste of the Egyptian land and its people, and that really resonated with us. We recreated the recipe on our farm and fell in love with the flavor combination. That led us to experiment with the finishing for this year’s The Boss Hog to see what those flavors could do to Rye whiskey. We were not disappointed!”
The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh Celebrates Harmonious Flavor Connections
Since the Boss Hog Series seeks unique, distinct, and unexpected flavors in its releases, The Golden Pharaoh digs deep to unearth new influences. Specifically, Egyptian flavors infuse the release with earthy sweetness and nuttiness.
While people can debate whether the “ancient recipe” is rooted in fact or a yarn spun for a good tale, the finishes erase any doubt about the deliciousness that the combination offers. Since rye tends to have an underlying spicy quality, sweetness is a necessary contrast.
Black Honey Adds a Curious Sweetness
Unlike traditional honeys, vanillas, or even caramels, the black honey brings rich molasses notes to the spirit. Without being heavy, it is the first note that hits the palate. Warm, inviting, yet still mysterious, it invites the drinker to take another sip. Like stepping into an unexplored tunnel, the first sip beckons you back for another drink.
As the rich molasses notes fade, a warm, inviting honey emerges, similar to a ray of light illuminating the back of the tunnel. It is familiar yet wrapped in something slightly different. It connects with a sentiment long lost in the memory banks and settles with a soothing sense of comfort.
Mixed with the warm baking spices, the kick of black pepper zaps you back to the present. At one moment you are transported to a mythical experience only to be brought back to the rye’s core that feels familiar.
Tiger Nuts Add an Egyptian Food Culture Element
The more interesting element to The Boss Hog XIII is the tiger nuts. While some people use these tubers as sustainable fiber source, the food has long been associated with ancient Egypt. Even though the name reflects “nut,” the flavor is more like a coconut.
Egyptian desserts often feature coconut flavors. For this WhistlePig release, the tiger nuts come through more like almond notes. Featured both in the nose and the finish, it adds a baking or pastry-like quality. Never bready, it feels soothing and satisfying, like biting into a perfectly flakey fetir.
Overall, this release exemplifies what WhistlePig does well with this series. Rye whiskey is America’s spirit but it can co-exist with international influences. The newest offering shines a light on pushing flavor boundaries. Drinking it might not be a religious experience or bring you closer to Ra, but it is a memorable one.
When is The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh Available?
For the first time ever, The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh will be available for pre-sale. According to the WhistlePig, whiskey drinkers can visit the distiller’s website to join the presale now.
The release goes on sale September 29. It will be available at The Vault in Kentucky, the brand’s website, and at various bars, restaurants, and other retail locations.
The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharoah is bottled between 102.6 – 105.6 Proof (51.3-52.8% ABV). The suggested retail price is $599.99 for the 750mL bottle.
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