From the Green Mountain State and the world-renowned Napa Valley comes an entirely new whisky offering: WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Aged in Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels. WhistlePig, the leading independent craft whiskey brand for Rye and experimental whiskeys, and Napa Valley icon Shafer Vineyards have united to create this rare whiskey vintage of elegance, richness, and balance. The rare WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition starts from a bold 12 year old Rye base, and unlocks unprecedented flavor with a single finish in Shafer’s 60-gallon French oak barrels that previously held 100% cabernet sauvignon wine for 32 months.
Shafer produces some of the world’s most highly rated and cellar-worthy cabernets that routinely earn 98+ scores. (Robert Parker named Shafer “one of the world’s greatest wineries.”) The flavors that the Shafer Cabernet barrels impart on the WhistlePig Rye are sure to wow wine drinkers. Think aromas of sweet apple, berry preserves, and cedar, and a palate of sweet cherry and raspberry jelly, cinnamon, and a subtle citrus zest. A long finish of sweetness melts away into a dry and structured cedar note.
“We like to say it takes 12 years, a spectacular cabernet barrel, and one sip to convert a wine drinker to a whiskey buff,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s Head Blender. “The WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition delivers on that and more. We’re thrilled to release just 8 barrels from our experimental warehouse in time for pairing with a great Fall dinner.”
To create the Single Barrel Whiskey, Ireland partnered with 2002 Food and Wine “Winemaker of the Year” and 2024 nominee for Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Winemaker of the Year” Elias Fernandez, who has been with Shafer for more than 40 years.
“This is our first partnership of its kind in the history of Shafer and we could not be more pleased,” said Fernandez. “I select our barrels with exceptional care, personally inspecting each one inside and out for integrity, strength, and craftsmanship. And the Cabernet Sauvignon that spends two years or more in the barrels is produced at the highest level. It’s exciting to see these top barrels as part of a world-class project such as this.”
Released in time to celebrate cooler weather with warmer flavors, WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition is available in limited quantities, and within select dining establishments across the US.
Learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey at whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Photos courtesy of WhistlePig Whiskey
