WhistlePig The Boss Hog II Spirit of Mortimer

Single barrel. Barrel strength. The second edition of WhistlePig's Boss Hog series — Spirit of Mortimer — a tribute to Mortimer, the legendary pig who helped establish WhistlePig Farm as Vermont's first distillery and one of the most celebrated craft rye producers in America. No box.

WhistlePig Farm was established in Shoreham, Vermont in 2007 by Raj Bhakta on a 500-acre farm. The farm's pigs — especially Mortimer, the original Boss Hog — became part of the brand's identity and mythology. Spirit of Mortimer honors this founding story: the second Boss Hog edition, bearing the name of the farm's most celebrated resident.

Like all Boss Hog editions, the Spirit of Mortimer is a single barrel, barrel-strength Vermont straight rye — uncut, unfiltered, and delivered at the full intensity the barrel has developed. It represents the Boss Hog series before it became one of the most acclaimed annual American rye programs, giving it the additional appeal of an early edition from a series that would go on to win Best In Show at major international competitions.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber from Vermont straight rye maturation.
• Nose: WhistlePig rye's characteristic spice and dried fruit at barrel strength — bold, vibrant, and complex.
• Palate: Single barrel intensity — rye grain spice, caramel, and dried fruit delivered at the barrel's natural proof without dilution.
• Finish: Long and spice-forward — the hallmark of the Boss Hog program.

Specs

• Distillery: WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham, Vermont
• Style: Straight Rye Whiskey
• Bottling: Single barrel, barrel strength
• Edition: Boss Hog II — Spirit of Mortimer
• Note: No box included
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full WhistlePig collection or browse all rye whiskey at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who was Mortimer? Mortimer was WhistlePig Farm's founding pig and the original Boss Hog — the inspiration for the Boss Hog series name. WhistlePig Farm's Vermont property is home to a herd of pigs integral to the brand's identity. Mortimer became the symbolic embodiment of the farm's character and the Boss Hog series' spirit of independence.
• Is Boss Hog II one of the earliest editions? Yes — Boss Hog II is the second edition in the series, predating the Boss Hog IV that won Best In Show at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Early editions carry the additional appeal of predating the series' highest-profile acclaim.
• How does the Spirit of Mortimer compare to later Boss Hog editions? Later editions introduced exotic wood finishes (Spanish staves, South American teak, Philippine rum casks). The Spirit of Mortimer is a purer expression of WhistlePig's Vermont rye without finishing cask influence — different in character but equally significant as a founding edition.
• Is Boss Hog II still available? In limited quantities. All Boss Hog editions are single barrel and strictly limited.