Undisclosed (Indiana)
WhistlePig
52.4-54.2%%
NAS
Released on Oct. 23, 2025, WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame is the latest release in WhistlePig's premium Boss Hog series. Bearing a suggested retail price of $599.99, 2025's Boss Hog is a straight rye whiskey finished in pulque- and xocolatl-inspired barrels seasoned with pulque curado, which WhistlePig made from agave, cacao and a blend of Mexican chiltepín, guajillo and pasilla peppers.
It's distilled in Indiana (presumably by MGP) and bottled between 52.4% and 54.2% ABV. The sample we reviewed was from barrel 3 and bottled at 52.4% ABV.
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Very interesting and distinctive nose. There's a definite peppery spice here, baked in with some sweetness. Big gingerbread and cinnamon sugar, plus chili powder and fresh green serrano peppers. Atop all that, though, there's a rich, pastry-laden vanilla note, like an eclair or vanilla croissant.
Whoa. Lovely thick viscosity. Huge anise and clove notes are joined by cinnamon, butterscotch, plenty of pepper notes — cracked pepper, white pepper, chili pepper, plus some of that fresh green serrano from the nose. Those classic MGP dill and mint notes are here, as well. After a few sips, you'll notice a burn that differs from the burn of a high-proof whiskey: a spice burn. As an enjoyer of spicy food, I feel right at home with it.
Cracked pepper drives the finish, followed by a big, sweet maple note that really hangs around for a while, as well as dill, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. That distinct (but pretty light) spicy burn from the palate remains.
This is an extremely cool, fascinating, delightfully nuanced, fantastic whiskey. It's incredibly distinctive and like nothing I've ever tasted — yet absolutely delicious. It's a spice bomb, and yet there's this huge creamy butterscotch note on the palate and a syrupy maple note on the finish, both of which add plenty of sweetness alongside the spice, making for a phenomenal and well-balanced pour. All that plus this thick, velvety viscosity akin to that of a cream liqueur? I'm in love.
Feather & Flame is WhistlePig's Boss Hog series at its finest: undeniably weird and utterly delicious. The unique profile and spiciness will no doubt make this bottle divisive, but count me in the camp of: This rocks.
This is my favorite Boss Hog since 2022's Siren's Song — a fig- and tentura-finished rye I adored — and might surpass that. Is this the best Boss Hog ever? I can't claim to have tried every single one, but I feel comfortable saying it just might be.
$600 is a steep price of entry, and it's tough to recommend anyone spend that kind of money on a bottle of whiskey. So, I'll just say: If you were ever going to buy a bottle of Boss Hog, I think this is one to splurge on — especially if you're a fan of peppers and spice. At the very least, I'd recommend trying to find a pour at a bar.
95
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.
