Overview: WhistlePig Whiskey has introduced a new limited-edition rye whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels. The Vermont-based distillery presents the 12 Year Rye Single Finish Maple Crème Brûlée, which recently secured Double Gold at the 2026 Global Whisky Challenge.
The Full Story
The Vermont-based WhistlePig Whiskey has announced the launch of a new limited-edition rye release, finished in maple syrup barrels. WhistlePig 12 Year Rye Single Finish Maple Crème Brûlée (43% ABV) is a single barrel Rye whiskey, finished for around a month in re-charred barrels that previously held WhistlePig barrel-aged maple syrup. Created for seasonal sipping, this latest release, which recently earned Double Gold at the 2026 Global Whisky Challenge, is said to offer notes of maple, caramel and spice, reminiscent of crème brûlée.
Meghan Ireland, Chief Blender at WhistlePig Whiskey, commented on the launch: “The magic here is that crème brûlée describes the flavour, not any ingredients added to the whiskey. We wanted to take something distinctly Vermont and see how far we could push it through the barrel alone. Reworking the maple syrup barrels gave us this rich, caramelised character while still letting the rye lead, which is exactly what we were after. It’s unmistakably WhistlePig Rye, just with a little seasonal flair for the holidays.”
Production & Profile
The spirit is bottled at 43% ABV and presented as a single barrel selection. Maturation involves finishing for around a month in re-charred barrels previously holding barrel-aged maple syrup. Tasting notes include maple, caramel, and spice. Meghan Ireland noted that the crème brûlée profile describes the flavour without any ingredients added to the whiskey.
What This Means
This release represents a seasonal sipping option available from selected US retailers. The Double Gold award at the 2026 Global Whisky Challenge underscores the quality of the maturation process and the distinct Vermont character achieved through barrel reworking.
Consumer Takeaway
WhistlePig 12 Year Rye Single Finish Maple Crème Brûlée is available from selected retailers in the US for a RRP of $124.99. The bottle offers a limited-edition seasonal experience featuring rich, caramelised character derived from reworked maple syrup barrels.
Source: Read the original article
