NV WhistlePig - Boss Hog 'Samurai Scientist' (60%)
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I am therefore delighted to introduce the The Boss Hog 六 Edition, The Samurai Scientist, the first and only American Whiskey finished in Japanese Umeshu Barrels. It is an unprecedented East meets West collaboration, curated by Master Blender Pete Lynch after a journey to Kitaya Brewery on Japan's southern-most island, in search of the perfect finish for The Samurai Scientist. He found its match in Kitaya's most treasured umeshu, a spirit distilled using the most traditional methods before being rested with locally sourced ume fruit for more than a decade. This has all the hallmarks of the five promises WhistlePig’s creator Dave Pickerell’s set out for the Boss Hog series: single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything they have made before and stupendous. This is a more than worthy addition to the Boss Hog series, which Pickerell launched in 2013. With scarce production and barrel ageing upwards of a decade, this series has redefined the Rye Whiskey category. The Samurai Scientist excels in what makes the Boss Hog series so special - showcasing a level of ambition in creating powerful, boundary-breaking flavours that is rarely found in Rye Whiskey, but when it is, loved and prized by enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
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Made using koji during fermentation and finished in barrels seasoned with umeshu , a plum liqueur. Earthy and a bit mysterious, with sandalwood incense, cedar smoke, eucalyptus, barrel char, and sweet aromas of vanilla taffy, key lime pie, and lemon oil. There's a lot of dry oak on the palate, but it's balanced with chewy herbs, lapsang souchong tea, pistachio, orange peel, milk chocolate, fennel, and peppery spice. The finish is long, spiced, and herbal, with licorice, mint, eucalyptus, and dry oak. Collectible
About the producer

Vermont-based WhistlePig is one of the most exciting rye whiskey producers. Since it officially opened in 2015, the zero-generation farm has led the rye revival and pioneered the conversation about terroir in spirits.