WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey
WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is a 100 proof (50% ABV), 750mL straight bourbon — the rye house's first foray into bourbon, distilled on WhistlePig's 500-acre farm in Shoreham, Vermont from a high-corn mash bill with a dash of rye and malted barley, then aged six full years in Char #3 American oak. Launched in late 2022 as the "PiggyBack 100 Proof Bourbon," it applies the farm's terroir-driven philosophy — Vermont's four-season temperature swings driving aggressive barrel extraction — to a sweeter, corn-forward whiskey. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 50% (100 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 6 years
- Mash bill: high corn with a dash of rye and malted barley
- Barrels: Char #3 American oak, 6 years
- Distillery: WhistlePig Farm Distillery, Shoreham, Vermont
The Rye House Learns Bourbon
WhistlePig built its name on rye — the 10 Year, the Old World 12, the Boss Hog series — so its first bourbon had to earn the pig on the label. PiggyBack does it the Vermont way: farm-distilled from grain grown on the property, aged in new Char #3 oak through six punishing Vermont winters and summers that pull oak character deep into the spirit. The high-corn mash bill keeps it sweeter than the house ryes, but the dash of rye keeps the WhistlePig backbone — spicy cinnamon up front, maple and vanilla through the middle. The pig on this label wears a Stetson instead of the usual top hat, in honor of late master distiller Dave Pickerell's favorite headwear. Browse more bourbon whiskey and explore the WhistlePig collection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Warm vanilla and caramel, toasted oak, gentle baking spice, and honeyed sweetness (retailer-sourced).
Palate: Spicy cinnamon up front broadening into rich maple syrup, roasted nuts, honeycrisp apple, and burnt orange, with oak smokiness underneath.
Finish: Long and warming — sweet oak, fading cinnamon, maple, and vanilla.
How to Enjoy
Neat or over a large cube to let the six years of oak show, or as the backbone of a bold Old Fashioned or Boulevardier. The 100 proof stands up to dilution beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon?
100 proof (50% ABV).
Is this the same as PiggyBack Rye?
No — this is the bourbon expression: a high-corn mash bill aged 6 years, launched in late 2022 as WhistlePig's first bourbon.
Where is it distilled?
At WhistlePig's farm distillery in Shoreham, Vermont — a genuine farm-to-glass bourbon.
Why is the pig wearing a cowboy hat?
The Stetson honors Dave Pickerell, WhistlePig's late founding master distiller, and his favorite headwear.
Vermont's answer to high-proof bourbon — order WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.