WhistlePig Boss Hog V Rye Whiskey

Last year, at the San Francisco World Spirits competition, WhistlePig’s Boss Hog IV rye whiskey took home the prize for best whiskey, as well as a hefty amount of praise from a wide variety of international spirit experts. That’s a pretty tough act to follow, but WhistlePig isn’t known for subtlety. To prove that, they’ve now unveiled what they’re calling their “biggest, most profound whiskey” ever, The Boss Hog V: The Spirit of Mauve.

Named for and with a recipe inspired by master distiller Dave Pickerell’s late pet pig, this impressive whiskey certainly looks to be something special. It has been aged for 13 years, before spending another year finishing in Calvados casks — a tribute to Mauve’s undying love for apples. The barrel strength spirit also boasts a nose of spices and tobacco, while it’s finished off with notes of charred oak and maple syrup. WhistlePig’s offerings have always felt like a labor of love, but this one certainly stands to take home the blue ribbon. Fittingly and beautifully packaged in a tiny coffin, The Boss Hog V is priced at $500 a bottle.

Purchase: $500