DISTILLERY · SHOREHAM, VERMONT, USA
WhistlePig Farm
The Vermont farm that dragged rye whiskey into the premium tier.
Founded in 2007 on a former dairy farm in Shoreham, Vermont, WhistlePig launched with legendary master distiller Dave Pickerell (formerly of Maker's Mark, d. 2018), who selected and finished aged Canadian rye stocks while the farm planted its own. On-farm distilling began in 2015, working toward a 'triple-terroir' estate rye — its own rye, its own water, and Vermont estate oak harvested on the property.
THE WHISTLEPIG RANGE
From farmhand to Boss Hog.
Sourced rye finished in Vermont — and estate rye rising behind it
PiggyBack 6
cocktail rye · 96.56 proof
Dave Pickerell's last creation — built for the bar, priced for it.
1 bottle →
Small Batch 10
core range · 100 proof
The flagship that made premium rye a category.
1 bottle →
Estate Oak 15
flagship review · 92 proof
Fifteen years, finished in oak from the farm's own trees.
FarmStock
estate rye
The triple-terroir project: farm rye, farm water, farm oak.
1 bottle →
The Boss Hog
annual · cask strength
The single-barrel unicorn — a new outrageous edition each year.
collector path →
WHISTLEPIG BOTTLES · REVIEWED & RANKED
The bottles.
scored / 100 · prices checked july 2026
| Rank | Bottle | Note | Score | Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Boss Hogrye · cask strength · annual | The allocated annual showpiece — outrageous and priced like it. | 95SCORE | $500+ | COMING SOON |
| 02 | WhistlePig 15 Estate Oakusa / whistlepig / rye / whistlepig-15 | Caramel, burnt orange, leather and dry oak — rye with real structure. | 93SCORE | $229 | READ REVIEW → |
| 03 | Small Batch 10rye · 100 proof | The benchmark premium rye — caramel, mint and spice. | 91SCORE | $75 | COMING SOON |
| 04 | Old World 12usa / whistlepig / rye / whistlepig-12-old-world | Dried fruit and wine-cask spice — the value step-down. | 90SCORE | $140 | READ REVIEW → |
| 05 | PiggyBack 6rye · 96.56 proof | The bartender's rye — pepper and proof for the money. | 88SCORE | $50 | COMING SOON |
WHISTLEPIG — THE STORY
Rye, raised on a farm.
Founded in 2007 on a former Shoreham, Vermont dairy farm, WhistlePig built its name on master distiller Dave Pickerell's playbook: buy superb aged Canadian rye, then select, finish and bottle it in Vermont while the estate program slowly matured behind it.
The estate turn came next. The farm has distilled its own spirit on-site since 2015, growing rye in its own fields and seasoning it in Vermont estate oak harvested on the property — the signature finish behind the 15. The FarmStock line is the triple-terroir proof of concept: farm rye, farm water, farm oak.
Answered by Everett Boone · The American Seat
Does WhistlePig distill its own whiskey?
Both are true. The aged flagships — the 10, 12 and 15 — are built on sourced Canadian rye, selected and finished in Vermont. But the farm has also distilled its own spirit on-site since 2015, and the FarmStock line showcases that estate-grown rye.
Who founded WhistlePig?
Founded in 2007 by Raj Bhakta on a former dairy farm in Shoreham, Vermont. Master distiller Dave Pickerell — formerly of Maker's Mark — shaped the house style until his death in 2018.
What is the Boss Hog?
The annual single-barrel, cask-strength release, with a new theme each year. It's heavily allocated, typically $500+, and the brand's collector unicorn.
Which bottle should I buy first?
PiggyBack (~$50) for cocktails, Small Batch 10 (~$75) for sipping; our reviewed pick is the 15 Estate Oak at 93/100 — read the review.
Can we send you our whiskey?
Yes — and it's the only way to earn a Superior Rating. Distilleries are welcome to send bottles for the full panel: two per expression, one decanted into blind samples for the three of us, one sealed on file. All three seats taste it blind and the scores are averaged. Sending buys three honest opinions and nothing else — nobody sees a score before publication.