Hailing from the Green Mountain State and the globally acclaimed Napa Valley comes a wholly unique whisky creation: WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey Aged in Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels. WhistlePig, the foremost independent craft whiskey brand specializing in Rye and innovative spirits, has collaborated with Napa Valley luminary Shafer Vineyards to produce this exceptional whiskey vintage characterized by elegance, richness, and harmony. The distinguished WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition starts with a robust 12-year-old Rye foundation, revealing extraordinary flavors through a singular maturation in Shafer’s 60-gallon French oak barrels, which previously housed 100% cabernet sauvignon wine for 32 months.
Shafer is known for creating some of the most esteemed and cellar-worthy cabernets, consistently achieving scores above 98. (Robert Parker referred to Shafer as “one of the world’s preeminent wineries.”) The nuances imparted by the Shafer Cabernet barrels on the WhistlePig Rye are sure to impress wine enthusiasts. Envision fragrances of sweet apple, berry preserves, and cedar, along with a taste profile featuring sweet cherry and raspberry jelly, cinnamon, and a hint of citrus zest. A prolonged finish of sweetness gradually transitions into a dry and structured cedar note.
“We like to assert that it takes 12 years, an exceptional cabernet barrel, and one sip to turn a wine enthusiast into a whiskey aficionado,” stated Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s Head Blender. “The WhistlePig 12 Single Barrel Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition fulfills that promise and beyond. We are excited to unveil just 8 barrels from our experimental warehouse, perfectly timed for pairing with a delightful Fall feast.”
In order to craft the Single Barrel Whiskey, Ireland collaborated with 2002 Food and Wine “Winemaker of the Year” and the 2024 nominee for Wine Enthusiast magazine’s “Winemaker of the Year,” Elias Fernandez, who has been part of the Shafer team for over four decades.
“This is the first partnership of its kind in the history of Shafer, and we could not be more satisfied,” remarked Fernandez. “I select our barrels with utmost precision, examining each one meticulously for integrity, strength, and craftsmanship. The Cabernet Sauvignon that matures in the barrels for two years or longer is crafted to the highest standards. It’s thrilling to see these exceptional barrels being utilized in a prestigious project such as this.”
Timed for the celebration of cooler temperatures with warmer tasting notes, WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey – Shafer Edition is available in limited quantities at select dining venues across the US.
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