Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way.
WhistlePig, usually a purveyor of all things rye whiskey, also dabbles a bit in the single malt category, with a particular focus on older age statement bottlings. Last year, for example, the Vermont-based distillery released The Béhôlden, Aged 21 Years. This whiskey is now a limited annual release, with prices of around $899.99.
Not content to rest there, WhistlePig recently released an even older age statement North American Single Malt, this time aged a quarter of a century and finished in former California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.
What’s in the bottle
WhistlePig 25 Year Single Malt The Badönkådonk, the focus of this review, was sourced from Canada, likely from the Glenora distillery, where the 21-year-old is said to have emerged from. After a quarter century in new American oak, each barrel is finished in a Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrel before being bottled as a single-barrel release.
“Our Single Malts stand apart not only for age but also maturation in the world’s best barrels. After finishing The Béhôlden in our own well aged Rye Barrels (with a wink), we set our sights on the best of California wine country,” said Meghan Ireland, Head Blender at WhistlePig, at the time of this whiskey’s release. “Known for their superstar Cabernets aged exclusively in American Oak barrels, Silver Oak is the perfect partner to push boundaries with, showing what’s possible on our side of the pond.”
WhistlePig 25 Year Single Malt The Badönkådonk is available in very limited quantities annually, priced at $1,999.99 for a 750 ml bottle. Our review sample is from barrel 3 and is bottled at 91 proof.