WhistlePig Unveils The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific

WhistlePig has revealed the eighth edition of The Boss Hog: LapuLapu’s Pacific.

Like each edition of The Boss Hog before it, this WhistlePig explores different barrel-aging techniques.

LapuLapu’s Pacific is also the sequel to The Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic, released last year. Continuing the voyage across the Pacific, The Boss Hog VIII features straight rye whiskey aged for nearly 18 years in new American Oak, followed by a double finish in high-toast barrels that previously held small-batch, single-island, aged Philippine rum.

The Boss Hog VIII draws inspiration from the Philippines, where Magellan met his fate at the hands of Filipino hero LapuLapu during the battle of Mactan, the company says. Magellan’s journey ended in the Philippines on April 27, 1521, when the local victory dispelled the Spanish fleet. LapuLapu’s likeness is captured in the hand-made pewter pig atop The Boss Hog.

The Philippines rum barrels for The Boss Hog VIII came from a small island just southwest of Cebu, where the battle occurred. They previously held rum for between seven and ten years.

“On the heels of Magellan’s Atlantic, it was a great challenge to find the perfect finish for the most special rye barrels in our warehouse,” says Meghan Ireland, blender, WhistlePig Whiskey. “We were already tracing Magellan in depth, and when we discovered LapuLapu’s story we knew we had to track down the best Philippines rum barrels we could for the sequel. Before maturing rum for 7-10 years, the barrels were coopered from American oak and originally held bourbon. In this way, they’ve made their own circumnavigation from American whiskey to the Philippines, and back again to us in Vermont.”

“The whiskey rest first in 7-year-old small batch Philippine rum casks, followed by a shorter finish in 10-year-old small-batch Philippine rum casks,” she adds. “The older rum is darker and bolder, requiring less time for its barrels to impart notes in the whiskey. The end result is an amazingly unique and delicious whiskey.”

On the nose, vanilla aromas give way to tropical notes including bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses, the company says. Upon tasting, LapuLapu’s Pacific offers fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch and lights notes of toffee. The finish is rich with tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice with a black pepper rye spice.

“Like all of our boldest experiments, this one was not without its trials,” says Ireland. “We actually attempted to send the whiskey itself around the world to Spain, to finish in the place where just one ship from the original fleet finally returned. Those barrels have yet to come back to us, so for the most daring collectors out there, the hunt is on.”

The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacfic is bottled between 104.8 and 106.5 proof. Available nationwide and online, the suggested retail price is $499.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

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