WhistlePig The Badonkadonk 25 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey
Single Malt Whiskey | 750mL | 45.5% ABV (91 proof) | 25 Years Old — WhistlePig The Badonkadonk is the second chapter of WhistlePig's aged single-malt trilogy, between The Béhôlden (21-year) and the 30-year BigSheBang finale. Distilled in Canada — reportedly at Nova Scotia's Glenora Distillery — from 100% malted barley, it matured 25 years in new American oak, moved to Vermont in 2020, and finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from Silver Oak Cellars of Alexander Valley, California — a winery head blender Meghan Ireland notes is famous for Cabernets aged exclusively in American oak. It arrives in a hand-crafted cherry wood double-door presentation cabinet. Released 2024, in limited quantities. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Twenty-five years in new American oak gives this single malt a bourbon-like backbone, and the Silver Oak Cabernet finish layers dark-fruit depth on top — a combination no Scotch single malt offers. Among American-finished whiskeys, it's one of the oldest single malts on the shelf.
Tasting notes
Nose: stone fruits — fig and plum — plus crème brûlée and light butterscotch. Palate: cedar wood, doughy and wild-honey notes, dark chocolate, toasted oak. Finish: toasted almonds and tanned leather (brand-cited notes).
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 750mL, 45.5% ABV — 25-year-old single malt, 100% malted barley
- 25 years in new American oak in Canada; finished in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels
- Second chapter of the WhistlePig trilogy (Béhôlden 21 → Badonkadonk 25 → BigSheBang 30)
- Hand-crafted cherry wood double-door presentation cabinet
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a tulip glass. The Cabernet finish shows best with a few minutes of air — decant the pour if you're feeling ceremonial.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Cabernet finish add?
Dark-fruit depth — fig, plum, dark chocolate — over the whiskey's 25 years of American-oak vanilla and cedar.
Is the distillery confirmed?
WhistlePig doesn't officially name the Canadian source distillery; press reports point to Glenora in Nova Scotia. The 25-year age and new-oak maturation are confirmed.
How does it compare to The BigSheBang?
The Badonkadonk is the 25-year middle chapter with a Cabernet finish; the BigSheBang is the 30-year finale with a Vin Santo finish. Collectors buy the pair.
Is it single barrel?
Some retailers describe it that way, but press sources only confirm limited quantities — buy it for the age and the finish, not a barrel number.