The pioneering rye whiskey brand WhistlePig has announced the seventh iteration of The Boss Hog line: Magellan’s Atlantic.
This limited-edition release contains straight rye whiskey aged for 17 years in American oak, finished in rare Spanish oak, followed by a second finish in South American Teakwood casks.
Inspired by the first recorded circumnavigation of the earth, The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic alludes to the historic voyage of a crew who embarked from Spain in 1519 and made landfall in present-day Brazil, before navigating the strait that would later bear their captain’s name.
WhistlePig’s Spanish oak casks originate in the forests of Northern Spain (Cantabria). Unlike American white oak, this Spanish is high in tannins, knotty and porous, the company says, and is challenging to make staves from. The final casks are prone to leakage and excess evaporation, but provide unique spicy flavor.
This is the first version of The Boss Hog to finish in more than one cask. South American Teakwood casks were sustainably sourced from Brazil, the company says, to add rich notes of baking spices and a sweet, toasted character, complementing the intense spiciness of the Spanish oak.
“We have experimented South American Teakwood on just a handful of barrels in the past, and both this and the New Spanish Oak are uncommon in the whiskey world,” says Meghan Ireland, maturation chemist, WhistlePig. “It’s been the least predictable and most intensive edition of The Boss Hog to date, but well worth the trials and effort.”
“Our 17-year-old straight rye whiskey spends three weeks resting in Spanish oak before finishing in South American Teakwood for just three days,” explains Pete Lynch, master blender, WhistlePig. “A one-hour proprietary toast with the Spanish oak creates a small char layer that removes some tannins but preserves the good ones. A medium level toast grants incredibly aromatic cinnamon, allspice and roasted nut flavors, while softening the overall intensity of the greener wood notes in the finishing cask.”
On the nose, Magellan’s Atlantic presents cinnamon sugar, allspice and maple, the company reports. With time, toasted wood notes arise alongside creamy vanilla, roasted almonds and a touch of ground espresso. Spicy cloves and sweet brandied cherries are also present, with lots of baking spices, plus hints of charred oak, sage and dark chocolate. On the finish is cinnamon, oak spice and a gentle warmth.
The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic comes in a gift box documenting the quest, and crowned with a collectible pewter topper depicting Magellan as a pig in traditional Spanish dress, taking up his sail with an explorer’s staff at the outset of his journey. Collectors are invited to join the expedition by registering their bottle at TheBossHogVII.com. Using the unique code found on the bottle’s neck label, collectors can access exclusive content.
The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic is bottled between 105.1-107.8 proof. It is available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $499.99 per 750-ml. bottle.
