{{Short description|Whiskey distillery based in Vermont, USA}} {{for|the rodent also known as a whistlepig|Groundhog}} {{Infobox company | name = WhistlePig | logo = WhistlePig logo.png | logo_upright = 1.3 | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | image = | image_size = | image_upright = <!-- default = 1 --> | image_alt = | image_caption = | trade_name = | former_name = | type = | industry = | genre = | predecessor = <!-- or: predecessors = --> | founded = c. {{Start date and age|2007}} | founder = Raj Bhakta | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | fate = | successor = <!-- or: successors = --> | hq_location = 2139 Quiet Valley Rd., Shoreham, Vermont | hq_location_city = | hq_location_country = | num_locations = | num_locations_year = <!-- Year of num_locations data (if known) --> | area_served = <!-- or: areas_served = --> | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Alex M. Roberts (CEO)}} | products = Whiskey, esp. rye whiskey | production = | production_year = <!-- Year of production data (if known) --> | brands = | services = | revenue = | revenue_year = <!-- Year of revenue data (if known) --> | operating_income = | income_year = <!-- Year of operating_income data (if known) --> | net_income = <!-- or: profit = --> | net_income_year = <!-- or: profit_year = --><!-- Year of net_income/profit data (if known) --> | aum = <!-- Only for financial-service companies --> | assets = | assets_year = <!-- Year of assets data (if known) --> | equity = | equity_year = <!-- Year of equity data (if known) --> | owner = <!-- or: owners = --> | members = | members_year = <!-- Year of members data (if known) --> | num_employees = | num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) --> | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | module = <!-- Used to embed other templates --> | website = {{URL|https://whistlepigwhiskey.com/}} | footnotes = }}
'''WhistlePig''' is a whiskey distillery based in Vermont. The distillery primarily makes rye whiskey.<ref name="Forbes">{{Cite web|last=Japhe|first=Brad|title=WhistlePig Whiskey Expands Into The Irish Category|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradjaphe/2021/07/24/whistlepig-whiskey-expands-into-the-irish-category/|access-date=2022-03-20|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> WhistlePig dates to 2007, when entrepreneur Raj Bhakta purchased land for the WhistlePig distillery. The whiskey brand was launched in 2010, and its first product, its 10-year rye, was released in 2015.
==Property and operations== [[File:WhistlePig tasting room.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Interior of WhistlePig's tasting room in Quechee, Vermont]] WhistlePig's distillery is in Shoreham, Vermont. It is not open to the public. It has two pot stills, each {{convert|750|USgal}}.<ref name="Edible"/>
The property includes a {{cvt|500|acre|adj=on}} farm.<ref name="Michelin"/> The land was formerly a dairy farm, about 150 years old.<ref name="Edible"/> About 300 of those acres are dedicated to growing rye grain, about 200 hold maple trees for making syrup, while the remainder is used for corn, barley, oak trees, and space for livestock: pigs, sheep, goats, horses, and bees.<ref name="Michelin"/><ref name="VP"/>
Two Kunekune pigs are kept on the property, Mortimer Junior and Orwell, both second generation pigs kept on-site.<ref name="abt">{{Cite web|date=2021-12-21|title=Touring WhistlePig's Vermont Distillery|url=https://coolhunting.com/food-drink/touring-whistlepigs-vermont-distillery/|access-date=2022-03-20|website=COOL HUNTING®|language=en-US}}</ref> The first generation, Mortimer and Mauve, died in 2014 and 2018. Their cremated remains are held in a granite obelisk memorial on the farm property, and the distillery's two stills are named for them. The brand's logo reflects these pigs with a design of a plump grinning, pig, donning a top hat and bow tie.<ref name="Edible"/>
WhistlePig's lead distiller is Emily Harrison and its chief blender is Meghan Ireland. The two notably hold positions in an industry often dominated by men.<ref name="Edible">{{Cite web|title=WhistlePig Distillery: "Preaching the Pig"|url=https://ediblevermont.ediblecommunities.com/drink/whistlepig-distillery-preaching-pig|access-date=2022-03-20|website=Edible Vermont|language=en}}</ref> Dave Pickerell was the master distiller, who introduced the company to its initial stock of Canadian whiskey, helped design the company's first blend, and designed its first pot still.<ref name="VP"/>
The company operates tasting rooms in Quechee, Vermont, and "the WhistlePig Pavilion" at Stowe Mountain Resort. It formerly operated tasting rooms at the distillery and in Waterbury Center, Vermont.<ref name="VP"/> The Quechee tasting room, a "whiskey parlor", opened in 2021. It involved WhistlePig and Simon Pearce purchasing the former Parker House tavern, with the tasting room opening soon after the purchase, and plans for a restaurant are still in development.<ref name="VN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vnews.com/Bottom-Line-for-May-9-2021-40282083|title=Valley News - Bottom Line: Whiskey meets glass as WhistlePig and Simon Pearce team up for restaurant, tasting room|date=8 May 2021 }}</ref> {{clear left}}
==History== In 2007, entrepreneur Raj Bhakta purchased land in Shoreham, Vermont, on which he built a new distillery and aging facility for his WhistlePig brand of rye whiskey. The brand was officially launched in 2010.<ref name="Michelin">{{Cite web|title=WhistlePig's Quest for Single-Origin Whiskey|url=https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/whistlepig-single-origin-whiskey-farmstock-rye|access-date=2022-03-20|website=MICHELIN Guide|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Edible" />
It was initially launched as a non-distiller producer that bottled a stock of 10-year-old Canadian whiskey from the Alberta Premium distillery owned by Fortune Brands in Alberta, Canada.<ref name="CaWorg">{{cite news|url=https://canadianwhisky.org/news-views/whistlepig-farms-is-not-a-distillery.html|title=WhistlePig Farms is now a distillery|date=November 13, 2013|accessdate=March 19, 2022|website=CanadianWhisky.org|archive-date=August 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805033413/http://www.canadianwhisky.org/news-views/whistlepig-farms-is-not-a-distillery.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="VP">{{Cite web|last=Wolinski|first=words: Cat|date=2019-11-15|title=10 Things You Should Know About WhistlePig Whiskey|url=https://vinepair.com/articles/whistlepig-whiskey-best-rye/|access-date=2022-03-20|website=VinePair|language=en-US}}</ref> Starting in 2007, Bhakta purchased land in Shoreham, Vermont, on which he built a new distillery and aging facility for the brand.<ref name="WhistlePigOfficial">{{cite web|url=http://www.whistlepigwhiskey.com/|title=WhistlePig whiskey official website|accessdate=10 August 2017}}</ref> The brand was officially launched in 2010.<ref name="CaWorg" /> WhistlePig hired master distiller Dave Pickerell to source its first whiskey. Bottling began in Shoreham in 2009, with production beginning in 2015. The company installed a second still in 2019.<ref name="abt" /> The first whiskey was released to the public in 2015, the 10-year small batch rye.<ref name="VP" />
WhistlePig board members attempted to remove Bhakta from the company in 2016, accusing him of fraud and mismanagement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/money/2016/05/20/whistlepig-founder-thrown-out-his-own-company/84584918/|title = WhistlePig founder thrown out of his own company}}</ref> The leadership structure then changed, with Bhakta remaining as founder and chief steward. Bhakta sold his shares and fully exited the company in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/01/whistlepig-sells-stake-to-investment-firm/ |title = WhistlePig sells stake to investment firm - The Spirits Business|date = January 18, 2019}}</ref>
In 2021, WhistlePig began to sell a bourbon, Beyond Bonded, as well as an Irish whiskey, Limavady Irish Whiskey.<ref name="Forbes" /> In 2022, the company released a non-alcoholic whiskey, which uses its 6-year-aged PiggyBack Rye.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WhistlePig's New Non-Alcoholic Whiskey Is Aged for 6 Years Before Being 'Undistilled'|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/whistlepig-non-alcoholic-whiskey-aged|access-date=2023-01-03|website=Food & Wine|language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, WhistlePig launched their oldest aged whiskey yet at the time, the 21-year Béhôlden.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-02 |title=WhistlePig Announces The Béhôlden 21 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey {{!}} One More Dram |url=https://onemoredram.com/2023/03/01/whistlepig-announces-the-beholden-21-year-old-single-malt-whiskey/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=onemoredram.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=WhistlePig Whiskey declares a new dawn with super-aged single malt {{!}} Vermont Business Magazine |url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2023/march/04/whistlepig-whiskey-declares-new-dawn-super-aged-single-malt |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=vermontbiz.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=McGinley |first=Brendan |date=2023-03-01 |title=WhistlePig's $800 Single Malt Whiskey Is Hog Heavenly |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/1214508/whistlepigs-single-malt-whiskey-is-hog-heavenly/ |access-date=2023-05-04 |website=Tasting Table |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, WhistlePig introduced The Badönkådonk, a 25-year release finished in Silver Oak Cabernet barrels (SRP US$1,999.99).<ref>{{Cite web |title=WhistlePig 30 Year Single Malt Whiskey The BigShǝBàng: Oldest and Rarest Release from the Brand |url=http://bourbonblog.com/2025/09/03/whistlepig-30-year-single-malt-whiskey-the-bigshebang-oldest-and-rarest-release-from-the-brand/ |website=BourbonBlog.com |publisher=BourbonBlog News |date=2025-09-03 |access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref>
In 2025, the company announced The BigShǝBàng, a 30-year single malt finished in Vin Santo barrels (SRP US$4,999), described by the brand as its oldest, rarest, and most expensive whiskey to date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WhistlePig 30 Year Single Malt Whiskey The BigShǝBàng: Oldest and Rarest Release from the Brand |url=http://bourbonblog.com/2025/09/03/whistlepig-30-year-single-malt-whiskey-the-bigshebang-oldest-and-rarest-release-from-the-brand/ |website=BourbonBlog.com |publisher=BourbonBlog News |date=2025-09-03 |access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref>
The company partnered with Liquid Death in 2025 to collaborate on a new wheat whiskey, Gravestock, that is proofed with Liquid Death Mountain Water and finished in casket-shaped barrels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-20 |title=WhistlePig & Liquid Death Unearth 'GraveStock' Wheat Whiskey That's Aged In Casket-Shaped Barrels - Maxim |url=https://www.maxim.com/food-drink/whistlepig-liquid-death-unearth-gravestock-wheat-whiskey-thats-aged-in-casket-shaped-barrels/ |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=www.maxim.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
The WhistlePig PiggyBack, a bar in downtown Louisville, opened in the summer of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=WhistlePig Whiskey to open 'PiggyBank' in downtown Louisville |url=https://loutoday.6amcity.com/business/whistlepig-piggybank-louisville-ky |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=6AM - LOUtoday |language=en}}</ref>
==Products== thumb|PiggyBack Rye bottle|200x200px Notable products include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whiskeys |url=https://whistlepigwhiskey.com/whiskeys/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=WhistlePig Rye Whiskey}}</ref>
* PiggyBack Rye, a 6-year-aged rye made for mixing in cocktails. It was designed with elements to honor Dave Pickerell, as it was his last product made before his death.<ref name="Edible" /> It was WhistlePig's first rye made with 100 percent rye grains.<ref name="VP" /> * PiggyBack Bourbon, a 6-year-aged bourbon first released in 2022. The bourbon has a mashbill high in corn, and spends six years in barrels with a #3 char. It is bottled at 100-proof.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-30 |title=WhistlePig Unveils PiggyBack Bourbon |url=https://whiskeyraiders.com/bourbon/whistlepig-whiskey-piggyback-bourbon-100-proof/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Whiskey Raiders |language=en}}</ref> * Farmstock Rye, a blend of three different whiskeys: 6-year Canadian, 10-year Canadian, and rye made on-site.<ref name="Edible" /> First released in 2017, it was the first WhistlePig product primarily made from whiskey made on-site, and used wood barrels and water from the property.<ref name="VP" /> * 10-year "Small Batch", the first product released by the company.<ref name="VP" /> * 12-year "Old World Cask Finish", finished in Port, Sauturnes, and Madeira barrels.<ref name="Edible" /> * 15-year "Estate Oak Rye", aged for 15 years in new American oak, with up to a year aging in oak barrels made with oak grown on-site<ref name="Edible" /> * 18-year "Double Malt Rye", made in several editions. The second edition bottles came with stoppers made by Simon Pearce.<ref name="VN" /> * The Boss Hog, a single-barrel, barrel-strength rye released every year in a new numerical edition.<ref name="abt" /><ref name="VP" /> **The first edition, labeled "The Boss Hog", released in 2013<ref>{{cite web |date=18 October 2022 |title=WhistlePig's New Boss Hog Edition is Inspired by Greek Mythology |url=https://www.tastingtable.com/1055447/whistlepigs-new-boss-hog-edition-is-inspired-by-greek-mythology/}}</ref> **The second edition, labeled "The Spirit of Mortimer" **The third edition, labeled "The Independent" **The fourth edition, "The Black Prince" **The fifth edition, "The Spirit of Mauve", was named in memory of one of the distillery's mascots, a pig named Mauve that died in 2018. The whiskey was aged for 13 years and finished in ex-Calvados barrels. The bottles come in coffin-shaped boxes, and are topped with Danforth pewter stoppers depicting Mauve ascending to heaven. The whiskey has notes of cooked apple, cinnamon, ginger, rye spice, peaches, and hay.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moonin |first=Carin |date=2019-01-24 |title=Whiskey Review: WhistlePig Boss Hog V: The Spirit of Mauve |url=https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whiskey-review-whistlepig-boss-hog-v-the-spirit-of-mauve/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Whiskey Wash |language=en-US}}</ref> **The sixth edition, labeled "{{wikt-lang|ja|六}}: The Samurai Scientist", was a collaboration with Kitaya Sake Brewery in Japan. It was one of the first American whiskeys finished in umeshu barrels, formerly holding an eleven-year-aged liqueur made with ume (Japanese plums). The whiskey is made with koji fermentation. The spirit was the first Boss Hog product released since Dave Pickerell's death.<ref name="VP" /> Flavor notes include rye spice, citrus, tobacco, baking spices, and caramel. The bottle toppers depict Takamine Jōkichi, a Japanese chemist, in samurai armor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizumori |first=Kenji |date=2020-03-02 |title=Whiskey Review: WhistlePig The Boss Hog: The Samurai Scientist |url=https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whiskey-review-whistlepig-the-boss-hog-the-samurai-scientist/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Whiskey Wash |language=en-US}}</ref> **The seventh edition, "Magellan's Atlantic", was aged for 17 years in American oak and finished in Spanish oak and in South American teak, in reference to explorer Ferdinand Magellan's expedition which took him from Spain to South America.<ref name="Edible" /> The whiskey has a dessert-like flavor and aroma, including baking spices, orange, vanilla, and cherry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Melissa |date=2020-12-22 |title=Whiskey Review: WhistlePig The Boss Hog VII Magellan's Atlantic |url=https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whiskey-review-whistlepig-the-boss-hog-vii/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Whiskey Wash |language=en-US}}</ref> **The eighth edition, "LapuLapu's Pacific", was aged in seven-year-old rum casks for four weeks, followed by 10 days of aging in decade-old rum barrels from the Philippines. The process adds sweet, floral, and tropical fruit notes to the peppery and spicy rye whiskey.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Flicker |first1=Jonah |last2=O'Bryan |first2=Jason |date=2022-06-17 |title=The 11 Best New Spirits of the Year, From Don Julio Ultima Reserva to Bob Dylan's Whiskey |url=https://robbreport.com/best-of-the-best/gallery/2022-best-spirits-1234681338/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Robb Report |language=en-US}}</ref> The whiskey is named for Lapulapu, an indigenous Filipino, considered the country's first hero after driving away Magellan's armed crew and killing the explorer. The bottle's pewter topper has a miniature statue of Lapulapu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capparelli |first=Cindy |date=2022-03-28 |title=Whiskey Review: Whistle Pig The Boss Hog VIII: Lapulapu's Pacific |url=https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whiskey-review-whistle-pig-the-boss-hog-viii-lapulapus-pacific/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Whiskey Wash |language=en-US}}</ref> **The ninth edition, "Siren's Song", is named for the song of the sirens, featured in Greek mythology. The whiskey is finished with Greek fig nectar and tentura, a Greek liqueur. The added ingredients are either local or Greek in origin. WhistlePig describes its tasting notes as floral, with dried fruit, brown sugar, black cherry, and fig.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brayson |first=Johnny |date=2022-10-23 |title=WhistlePig's New Whiskey Has a Unique Pedigree |url=https://www.gearpatrol.com/food/drinks/a41688193/whistlepigs-boss-hog-ix-sirens-song-whiskey/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Gear Patrol |language=en-US}}</ref> *21-year "Béhôlden", single-malt whiskey. Only 18 barrels were made with floral and fruity notes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Given the years necessary to age whiskey, a portion of WhistlePig's whiskey is outsourced. Suppliers include MGP of Indiana and the Alberta Premium distillery owned by Fortune Brands in Alberta, Canada. The company instead focuses on barrel-aging and finishing for these products.<ref name="Michelin" />
==WhistlePig's Louisville, Kentucky Outpost== In September 2025, WhistlePig announced details of a Louisville, Kentucky location at 403 E. Market Street—originally unveiled as “PiggyBank” and now known as “The Vault.”
The space will incorporate a historic bank vault and will include a “Big Pig Bar,” retail offerings, exclusive tastings, special events, and rare whiskey collections. <ref>{{Cite web |title=WhistlePig 30 Year Single Malt Whiskey The BigShǝBàng: Oldest and Rarest Release from the Brand |url=http://bourbonblog.com/2025/09/03/whistlepig-30-year-single-malt-whiskey-the-bigshebang-oldest-and-rarest-release-from-the-brand/ |website=BourbonBlog.com |publisher=BourbonBlog News |date=2025-09-03 |access-date=2025-09-11}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{ccat}} * {{official|https://whistlepigwhiskey.com/}}
{{portal bar|Liquor|Vermont}}
Category:Rye whiskey Category:Shoreham, Vermont Category:Distilleries in the United States Category:Privately held companies based in Vermont Category:Food and drink companies based in Vermont Category:Manufacturing companies based in Vermont Category:Food and drink companies established in 2010