Originating from the Green Mountain State and the world-renowned Napa Valley, a distinctive whisky has been crafted: WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Aged in Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels. WhistlePig, a leading independent craft whiskey brand with a focus on Rye and innovative spirits, has teamed up with Napa Valley’s esteemed Shafer Vineyards to create this extraordinary whiskey vintage, marked by elegance, depth, and balance. The WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition is anchored by a robust 12-year-old Rye base, which reveals remarkable flavors through its unique aging process in Shafer’s 60-gallon French oak barrels that previously held 100% cabernet sauvignon wine for 32 months.
Renowned for producing some of the most distinguished and age-worthy cabernets, Shafer consistently garners scores exceeding 98. (Robert Parker has referred to Shafer as “one of the world’s preeminent wineries.”) The nuances imparted by the Shafer Cabernet barrels to the WhistlePig Rye are likely to captivate wine lovers. Picture aromas of sweet apple, berry preserves, and cedar, complemented by a flavor profile that showcases sweet cherry and raspberry jelly, cinnamon, and a touch of citrus zest. A lingering finish of sweetness gradually evolves into a dry, structured cedar note.
“We like to claim that it takes 12 years, an exceptional cabernet barrel, and one sip to transform a wine enthusiast into a whiskey lover,” stated Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s Head Blender. “The WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition lives up to that promise and more. We are thrilled to present just 8 barrels from our experimental warehouse, perfectly suited for pairing with a splendid Fall meal.”
To develop the Single Barrel Whiskey, Ireland collaborated with Elias Fernandez, the 2002 Food and Wine “Winemaker of the Year” and the 2024 nominee for Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Winemaker of the Year,” who has been part of the Shafer team for over 40 years.
“This represents the first collaboration of its kind in Shafer’s history, and we could not be happier,” said Fernandez. “I choose our barrels with exceptional care, meticulously assessing each one for integrity, strength, and craftsmanship. The Cabernet Sauvignon that ages in these barrels for two years or more is produced to the highest standards. It’s exhilarating to see these remarkable barrels utilized in such a prestigious project.”
Ideally timed for the arrival of cooler weather paired with warmer flavor profiles, WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition is available in limited quantities at select dining establishments across the United States.
Image Source: The Image Party @ Shutterstock
