WhistlePig The Béhôlden 21 Year North American Single Malt Whiskey 750ml

WhistlePig The Béhôlden is the first ever super aged North American single malt whiskey, a landmark release matured more than twice as long as any other single malt on the continent. Distilled from 100% malted barley over two decades ago through copper pot stills, the spirit was aged 21 years in American oak ex bourbon barrels before being shipped to WhistlePig's Shoreham, Vermont farm for a final four week finish in former 10 year WhistlePig rye barrels. The result is a single malt that bridges Old World tradition with WhistlePig's signature rye spice character. Bottled at 92 proof from just 18 barrels in the Spring 2023 single barrel release, each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a heavy wood cabinet box that opens like a miniature wardrobe to reveal the bottle within. A statement release for the serious collector and one of the most distinctive North American single malts ever bottled, scarce by design and increasingly rare on the secondary market.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Tawny amber to old gold with rich auburn highlights.

Nose: Rich maple syrup, caramel, and baked red apple lead, layered with golden raisin, graham cracker, stone fruit, vanilla tobacco, and a whisper of rye spice from the finishing casks.

Palate: Sweet but never cloying with a creamy mouthfeel. Maple, vanilla, and honeyed malt up front, evolving into apricot, black cherry juice, oatmeal cookie, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a savory rye accent. Dessert in a glass.

Finish: Long and refined with solid oak, maple, praline, lingering black cherry, clove, and a hint of smoke on the fade.

FAQ

What makes The Béhôlden unique? It is the first ever super aged North American single malt whiskey, matured 21 years in American oak ex bourbon barrels then finished in WhistlePig rye casks. That age statement is more than double what most North American single malts achieve, and the rye cask finish bridges single malt tradition with the WhistlePig house style.

Where was The Béhôlden distilled? WhistlePig does not officially name the source distillery but describes it as the oldest single malt distillery in North America. Industry consensus identifies it as Glenora Distillery on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada, the first North American single malt producer. WhistlePig finished and bottled the whiskey on their farm in Shoreham, Vermont.

How rare is The Béhôlden? Extremely. The Spring 2023 release was just 18 single barrels total, each individually numbered. The whiskey has long sold out at retail and trades well above original retail on the secondary market.

How does the rye cask finish affect the flavor? WhistlePig used freshly emptied wet rye barrels for finishing, which produces unusually strong rye influence given the short four week finishing window. The mature malt base from 21 years in bourbon casks meets layered rye spice, maple sweetness, and a faint smoky note that single malt drinkers will find distinct from typical Scotch.

How does this compare to other WhistlePig releases? The Béhôlden is WhistlePig's first foray into single malt and one of their most luxurious releases overall, sitting alongside the Boss Hog series at the top of the catalog. Compare with the rye flagship WhistlePig 10 Year Rye or the age stated WhistlePig 18 Year Double Malt for context within the brand.

Where can I buy WhistlePig The Béhôlden online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.