WhistlePig Whiskey tells BourbonBlog.com that one of the most anticipated whiskey moments of the year is finally here: the release of WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII Feather & Flame. Inspired by two Aztec “drinks of the gods,” WhistlePig has fused pulque and xocoatl (chili-laced cacao) — then seasoned the barrels with an agave–cacao pulque and a trio of Mexican peppers to shape Feather & Flame’s finish.
Following our coverage of WhistlePig’s ultra-rare 30-Year “BigShǝBàng” single malt—which primed the palate for the brand’s 2025 ambitions—Boss Hog XII “Feather & Flame” arrives with a daring finish and the collectible trappings enthusiasts expect.
Read our 30-Year story here: WhistlePig 30 Year Single Malt “The BigShǝBàng”.
Feather & Flame: The World’s First Whiskey Finished in Pulque Curado de Cacao Barrels
Feather & Flame is the world’s first whiskey of its kind — a single-barrel, barrel-strength straight rye finished in pulque curado de cacao barrels.
After aging in new American oak, the rye undergoes a second maturation in barrels seasoned with a pulque curado crafted from agave, cacao, and three traditional Mexican peppers: chiltepín, guajillo, and pasilla.
This finishing imparts layers of earthy chocolate, roasted cacao, citrus brightness, and a subtle peppery heat that amplify the rye’s natural spice.
Bottled barrel by barrel between roughly 104.8 and 108.4 proof (52.4–54.2% ABV), The Boss Hog XII carries a suggested retail price of $599.99.
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Tasting Notes on The Boss Hog XII from Whistelepig:
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Nose: caramel, dark chocolate, orange zest.
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Palate: bright citrus leads, balanced by soft oak and cocoa, with subtle earthy spice.
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Finish: savory cacao gives way to herbaceous chili pepper.
Because it’s single-barrel and bottled at proof, character and proof will vary naturally from bottle to bottle.
WhistlePigs’ House Rules for Making “Boss Hog” Each Year
WhistlePig tells us that each new Boss Hog follows the guiding principles that define how far they can push rye innovation without repeating themselves. Every edition must check the following boxes:
- Single barrel, each barrel bottled on its own.
- Barrel strength, bottled at the natural proof.
- “Something we’ve never done before” finishing or maturation—novel cask work positioned as a world-first or category-bending idea.
- Hand-bottled on the farm with a themed pewter topper and limited distribution.
VIDEO: 2024 WhistlePig Boss Hog XI The Juggernaut Rye Whiskey Review
WhistlePig Boss Hog XI 2024 Release on BourbonBlog.com
Watch the video above and linked here to learn more about BourbonBlog.com’s coverage of WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI “The Juggernaut (story linked here).
Similar to Feather & Flame 2025 release, the 2024 Boss Hog drew inspiration from a regional Indian drink thandai — a chilled, spiced nut-and-seed beverage traditionally enjoyed during Holi.
The whiskey was finished in barrels seasoned with thandai spices sourced from Delhi’s Khari Baoli spice market (saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and more).
For the 2024 edition, Boss Hog XI was bottled at approximately 103.8-105.2 proof (51.9-52.6% ABV) with a suggested retail price of $599.99 and no age statement.
The post WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII Feather & Flame: cacao-pulque finished, barrel-strength rye first appeared on BourbonBlog.
