WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon

WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon. WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham, Vermont — WhistlePig's first bourbon expression and the most significant departure from the 100% rye philosophy that defines the rest of the lineup, a single grain, small-batch bourbon farm-distilled from a corn-dominant mash bill and aged 6 years in Vermont Estate Oak barrels, bottled at 96.56 proof with a full-bodied aroma and the oak, vanilla, and sweetness that Vermont terroir aging produces.

WhistlePig built its reputation entirely on rye whiskey — the 10 Year, the Old World 12, the 15 Year, and the Boss Hog series established Vermont as a serious rye state. The PiggyBack 6 Year Bourbon represents the brand's first foray into bourbon, applying the same farm ethos and Vermont Estate Oak finishing philosophy to a corn-dominant mash bill. The single grain designation means the bourbon is made from a single grain rather than a standard multi-grain mash bill — a relatively unusual approach that produces a cleaner, more grain-focused character than standard bourbon production.

Farm-distilled at the Shoreham property and aged in Vermont Estate Oak barrels — the same locally-harvested Vermont white oak used in the 15 Year rye program — the PiggyBack Bourbon reflects the same terroir ambition that defines WhistlePig's long-term farm-to-bottle vision. Vermont's four-season climate drives aggressive barrel extraction through dramatic temperature cycling, potentially developing more concentrated oak character than milder aging environments achieve over the same period.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Full-bodied with the Vermont Estate Oak's vanilla and caramel alongside the single grain's clean sweetness. The terroir of Vermont aging is present in the aromatic profile.
• Palate: Rich and smooth with the single grain character providing a focused, clean sweetness alongside oak and vanilla from 6 years of Vermont Estate Oak aging. Bottled at 96.56 proof for full flavor presence.
• Finish: Rich and satisfying with oak, vanilla, and sweetness persisting. The Vermont Estate Oak's character carries through a longer-than-expected finish for a 6-year bourbon.

Specs

• Distillery: WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham, Vermont
• Style: Single Grain Small-Batch Bourbon, Farm-Distilled
• Aging: Vermont Estate Oak barrels
• Age: 6 years
• ABV: 48.28% (96.56 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How does WhistlePig PiggyBack Bourbon differ from the PiggyBack 6 Year Rye? The Rye is 100% rye mash — the grain-forward, spice-dominant character that defines the WhistlePig rye lineup. The Bourbon uses a corn-dominant single grain mash bill for a sweeter, rounder, more vanilla-forward character. Both are farm-distilled at Shoreham and aged 6 years in Vermont Estate Oak, making them a direct comparison of grain impact on otherwise similar production.
• What is single grain bourbon? A bourbon made from a single grain rather than a standard multi-grain mash bill of corn, malted barley, and rye or wheat. Single grain production creates a cleaner, more focused expression of that specific grain's character — in this case, the sweetness and body of corn at its purest without the complexity additions of secondary grains.
• Why does WhistlePig use Vermont Estate Oak for bourbon? Vermont white oak is harvested from the WhistlePig farm itself, connecting the bourbon to the land in the same way the 15 Year rye is connected. Vermont oak's slower growth rings and different tannin profile from standard American white oak contribute a distinct terroir character to both the rye and bourbon programs.