Everything you should know about WhistlePig, a distiller of delicious rye whiskey from Vermont, USA
WhistlePig was founded in 2008, in the rolling hills in Shoreham, Vermont
Located in a 150-year-old barn on over 200 hectares of farmland, WhistlePig is a former dairy farm that now dedicates itself to growing rye grain, besides maple trees, corn, barley and oak. It is also home to sheep, goats, horses and two Kunekune pigs named Mortimer Junior and Orwell; the previous generation—Mortimer and Mauve—are who WhistlePig’s two pot stills were named after.
It’s a farm-to-bottle life for WhistlePig
The farm-to-bottle distillery is a proud resident of Vermont, with its world revolving around the ‘Triple Terroir’. From cultivating fields of rye on the farm to harvesting estate-grown oak trees for custom barrels (Vermont oak stands out with hardy, tight growth rings), everything begins and ends in Vermont. Even the water used comes straight from the estate well.
A lot of credit goes to Dave Pickerell
The former master distiller, who previously served 14 years at Maker’s Mark, was instrumental in building the brand. Pickerell, who helped hundreds of distilleries open around the world through his consultancy firm (Oak View Spirits), helped create the WhistlePig’s first blend, the 12 Year Old World Cask Finish Rye. He also designed its copper pot still, which the distillery continues to use. Unfortunately, he passed away in November 2018, leaving the WhistlePig legacy in the trusty hands of Liz Rhoades (head of whiskey development), Meghan Ireland (chief blender) and Mitch Mahar (master distiller).
WhistlePig is popular for its rye whiskey
While WhistlePig produces bourbon and single malts, it is best known for its aged rye whiskeys. The 15 Year Old Estate Oak Rye, finished in Vermont estate oak, is one of WhistlePig’s oldest. Boasting a score of 97 points from Wine Enthusiast, this expression is perfect sipped on a cool evening with a toasted marshmallow just for kicks. Other expressions to look out for include the versatile Small Batch Rye Aged 10 Years and Old World Rye Aged 12 Years, which was finished in a combination of Madeira, Sauternes and port casks.
WhistlePig is available at Manhattan
Get a taste of WhistlePig at S$28 a dram at select bars and restaurants, including Manhattan, a Conrad Singapore Orchard bar that’s also an ambassador of American whiskey. Besides WhistlePig, you’d find an impressive collection of over 220 bottles, including some of the rarest and most collectible bottles on the market.
