WhistlePig The Boss Hog VI: The Samurai Scientist Straight Rye Whiskey (Single Barrel, Barrel Proof)

WhistlePig The Boss Hog VI: The Samurai Scientist Straight Rye Whiskey (Single Barrel, Barrel Proof) is the sixth release in WhistlePig’s prestigious Boss Hog series, each edition crafted to be unique, collectible, and uncompromising in character. This edition pays tribute to Jōkichi Takamine, a Japanese chemist who pioneered the use of koji fermentation in whiskey making over a century ago. Staying true to that inspiration, WhistlePig finished this 100% rye whiskey in barrels seasoned with umeshu, a Japanese plum wine, creating a singular balance of East and West.

WhistlePig is a pioneering American whiskey brand founded in 2007 on a 500-acre farm in Shoreham, Vermont. From the very beginning, the brand set out to challenge the conventions of American whiskey by focusing on rye—an often overlooked grain—while pushing innovation in aging, blending, and finishing techniques.

The farm itself is central to WhistlePig’s identity. It operates as a true grain-to-glass distillery, cultivating its own rye and other grains, managing on-site maturation, and even maintaining livestock and maple trees as part of its sustainable ecosystem. This approach allows WhistlePig to exert full control over the production process while honoring Vermont’s agricultural heritage.

WhistlePig first gained recognition by sourcing exceptionally aged rye whiskey from Canada and finishing it in unique casks, creating bold, award-winning releases that quickly earned a reputation among enthusiasts. Over time, it transitioned toward more estate-grown and farm-distilled whiskey, combining that foundation with an adventurous spirit.

Innovation is at the heart of the brand, most famously seen in its Boss Hog series, where each annual release is single barrel, barrel proof, and completely unique—often incorporating experimental finishes or cultural inspirations, like Japanese umeshu casks or spirit traditions from around the world. Alongside Boss Hog, WhistlePig produces widely respected expressions such as its 10-Year Rye, 12-Year Old World Rye, and FarmStock.

Today, WhistlePig is recognized as one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking whiskey producers in America, blending old-world craftsmanship with bold experimentation, all while staying rooted in the authenticity of its Vermont farm.