WhistlePig makes wind tunnel-trialled whiskey
Vermont-based distillery WhistlePig has teamed up with Alfa Romeo Formula 1 Team Stake to launch the third bottling in its PiggyBack Legends Series.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel, is bottled at 48.38% ABV (96.77 proof), as a nod to team driver Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the 'precision of racing'. “Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience,” said Bottas. “Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom rye whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.” Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels of the whiskey were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before 'hitting the track'. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-force at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for 'the finishing touch' – a process the producer claims has accelerated the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, thus 'staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1'. “We’re taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig head blender. “Our experiments with dynamic ageing went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm.” Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese Formula 1 driver, the rye whiskey has been finished with lychee and oolong tea. The herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea are said to complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye. The whiskey is then rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice. Guanyu said that joining forces with WhistlePig to release a whiskey that represents his culture and team “has been an honour”. The limited edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is available to purchase online for RRP US$49.99 per 750ml bottle. It is also sold in select stores across the US. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle. Jack Daniel’s recently partnered with the McLaren Formula 1 team to create a limited edition bottle for its flagship Tennessee whiskey.
