Whistle Pig Boss Hog “The Black Prince”
This is a superlative rye whisky. It’s been aged for 14 years and finished in Armagnac casks—Whistle Pig says this is a first—and the result is a cascade of flavor: caramel, fruit, black pepper, clove. (The “Black Prince” name apparently descends from England’s Prince Edward of Woodstock, a 14th century warrior who, clad in black armor, invaded France and was reputed to have a taste for Armagnac.) Some reviews I’ve seen have mentioned dill and mint; promotional materials from Whistle Pig speak of plum, fig, allspice and “warm apple crisp.” The point is, there’s a lot going on, and I found the experience of trying to sort it all out deeply enjoyable. Some critics have lamented the price of the Black Prince, but buying a 14-year-old whisky isn’t like buying a gallon of milk—drink it if you got it.
Whistle Pig’s Boss Hog “The Black Prince” costs $500 for a 750-ml bottle. For more information, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com.
