WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII - The One That Made It Around The World
WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII - The One That Made It Around The World is the 2021 eighth edition of WhistlePig's flagship Boss Hog line — a single-barrel straight rye of approximately 17 to 18 years, bottled at its own natural barrel proof (documented barrels range 103.5–106.6 proof) in 750mL. Canadian-distilled rye, finished and bottled at WhistlePig Farm Distillery in Shoreham, Vermont, it blends the finishing casks from both Boss Hog VII (Magellan's Atlantic) and VIII (LapuLapu's Pacific): Spanish Oak, South American Teakwood, and two Philippine rum casks. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: barrel proof — varies by barrel (documented 51.75–53.3% / 103.5–106.6 proof); confirm the bottle's exact figure at audit
- Size: 750mL
- Age: approximately 17–18 years (no age statement on the bottle)
- Finishing: four-cask blend — Spanish Oak, South American Teakwood, and two Philippine rum casks (7-year-rum and 10-year-rum barrels)
- Origin: Canadian rye, finished at WhistlePig Farm Distillery, Shoreham, Vermont
- Presentation: numbered single-barrel bottle with pewter topper(s) and decorative gift box; 91 points, Whisky Advocate
The Voyage That Finished a Whiskey
Boss Hog VII took Magellan's route across the Atlantic; Boss Hog VIII followed LapuLapu's Pacific — and "The One That Made It Around The World" is the sequel edition that blends the finishing casks of both: the journey only Magellan's sole surviving ship completed, returning to Andalusian Spain in 1522, the first circumnavigation. The four casks — Spanish Oak, South American Teakwood, and two small-batch single-island Philippine rum barrels — wrap nearly 18 years of Canadian rye in tropical, spice-laden wood. The distiller's notes promise rich, lush vanilla with underripe bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses on the nose; fresh-ground cinnamon, citrus zest, butterscotch and light toffee on the palate; tanned leather, brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and long black-pepper rye spice on the finish. Explore rye whiskey or the WhistlePig collection at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per WhistlePig's distiller notes: nose of rich vanilla, underripe banana, lemon and molasses; palate of abundant fresh-ground cinnamon, citrus zest, butterscotch and light toffee; finish of tanned leather, brown sugar, nutmeg, allspice and lingering black-pepper rye spice.
How to Enjoy
Sipping whiskey — neat or on the rocks. It earns the slow pour: decanter, good glass, no rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called "The One That Made It Around The World"?
It blends the finishing casks from Boss Hog VII (Magellan's Atlantic) and VIII (LapuLapu's Pacific) — echoing the first circumnavigation, when Magellan's sole surviving ship returned to Spain from the Philippines in 1522.
Is the proof the same in every bottle?
No — each Boss Hog VIII is a single barrel bottled at its own natural proof, ranging 103.5–106.6 proof.
Is Boss Hog VIII really 17 years old?
The rye is described as approximately 17 to nearly 18 years old, but the bottle carries no age statement — the figure comes from WhistlePig's own notes.
Four casks, one circumnavigation, one numbered decanter — order WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII: The One That Made It Around The World online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.