WhistlePig has announced its oldest whiskey release to date, a 30-year-old single malt called The BigShǝBàng. With fewer than four barrels in existence, it becomes the rarest expression from the Vermont-based distiller.
The launch follows previous super-aged single malts from WhistlePig, including The Béhôlden (21 years) released in 2023, and The Badönkådonk (25 years) in 2024. Together, the three form what the distillery describes as a new trinity of North American single malts.
WhistlePig is renowned for its bold, high-rye whiskeys and its rebellious approach to American craft spirits. Founded in 2007 on a 500-acre former dairy farm, it has carved out a niche by blending traditional whiskey-making with innovation, sustainability, and a touch of irreverence.
WhistlePig is renowned for its bold, high-rye whiskeys and its rebellious approach to American craft spirits…
Three decades in the making
The BigShǝBàng has been aged for 30 years in American Oak before a finishing period in Vin Santo barrels, an unusual choice in whiskey production. Vin Santo is a rare Italian dessert wine, produced using air-dried grapes and long fermentation processes, which can add depth and sweetness to a spirit.
WhistlePig’s head blender Meghan Ireland described the release as a “flavour supernova” and said the team had been searching for Vin Santo casks “for a few years” before finding a small number suitable for finishing the whiskey:
“We’ve been hunting down Vin Santo barrels for a few years now, and the stars finally aligned with a precious few to finish this inaugural release. As with many of our most elusive casks, they’ve proved to be a catalyst for complexity that’s well worth the quest.”
WhistlePig The BigShǝBàng Tasting notes
According to WhistlePig, the whiskey has aromas of honeyed bread, wheat crust and floral notes, followed by clove, fresh dough and honeysuckle on the palate. The finish is described as lingering, with toasted cedar and a delicate sweetness.
Bottled at 45.2% ABV, it is presented as a limited-edition single barrel release for collectors and enthusiasts.
Extremely limited and not available online, The BigShǝBàng will be available to taste at The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s priced at $4,999.
Limited quantities of the 21- and 25-year-old bottlings remain available via the distillery’s website.
Main points at a glance: WhistlePig 30 Single Malt – The BigShǝBàng
WhistlePig has unveiled its oldest whiskey to date: The BigShǝBàng, a 30-year-old North American single malt.
Aged 30 years in American Oak and finished in rare Italian Vin Santo barrels.
Limited to fewer than four barrels, making it WhistlePig’s rarest release.
Tasting notes: honeyed bread, wheat crust, floral aromas, clove, fresh dough, honeysuckle, with toasted cedar and delicate sweetness on the finish.
Bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV).
Part of WhistlePig’s “super-aged” single malt series:
The Béhôlden – 21 years, rye barrel finish, $899.99
The Badönkådonk – 25 years, Silver Oak Cabernet finish, $1,999.99
The BigShǝBàng – 30 years, Vin Santo finish, $4,999
Not available online. To be offered at The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Kentucky and select establishments in the US.
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
The Luxe Review 
WhistlePig has announced its oldest whiskey release to date, a 30-year-old single malt called The BigShǝBàng. With fewer than four barrels in existence, it becomes the rarest expression from the Vermont-based distiller.
The launch follows previous super-aged single malts from WhistlePig, including The Béhôlden (21 years) released in 2023, and The Badönkådonk (25 years) in 2024. Together, the three form what the distillery describes as a new trinity of North American single malts.
WhistlePig is renowned for its bold, high-rye whiskeys and its rebellious approach to American craft spirits. Founded in 2007 on a 500-acre former dairy farm, it has carved out a niche by blending traditional whiskey-making with innovation, sustainability, and a touch of irreverence.
Three decades in the making
The BigShǝBàng has been aged for 30 years in American Oak before a finishing period in Vin Santo barrels, an unusual choice in whiskey production. Vin Santo is a rare Italian dessert wine, produced using air-dried grapes and long fermentation processes, which can add depth and sweetness to a spirit.
WhistlePig’s head blender Meghan Ireland described the release as a “flavour supernova” and said the team had been searching for Vin Santo casks “for a few years” before finding a small number suitable for finishing the whiskey:
“We’ve been hunting down Vin Santo barrels for a few years now, and the stars finally aligned with a precious few to finish this inaugural release. As with many of our most elusive casks, they’ve proved to be a catalyst for complexity that’s well worth the quest.”
WhistlePig The BigShǝBàng Tasting notes
According to WhistlePig, the whiskey has aromas of honeyed bread, wheat crust and floral notes, followed by clove, fresh dough and honeysuckle on the palate. The finish is described as lingering, with toasted cedar and a delicate sweetness.
Bottled at 45.2% ABV, it is presented as a limited-edition single barrel release for collectors and enthusiasts.
Extremely limited and not available online, The BigShǝBàng will be available to taste at The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s priced at $4,999.
Limited quantities of the 21- and 25-year-old bottlings remain available via the distillery’s website.
Main points at a glance: WhistlePig 30 Single Malt – The BigShǝBàng
Bowmore takes whisky lovers on sherry and oak journey with 20 Year Old Captivo Collection
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
Hibiki 12 Year Old Japanese whisky returns after an 11 year absence but you’ll have to fly to get one
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
The Dalmore Distillery Select series returns with a 14 Year Old Marsala-finished single malt whisky
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
Share this: