WhistlePig 12 Year Maple Crème Brûlée Cask Rye Whiskey Limited Edition 750ml

WhistlePig has built its whole reputation on bold, genuinely experimental barrel finishing, and the Bespoke Barrel program is exactly where that spirit runs wildest. For this release, the team created a genuinely tiny number of proprietary custom Maple Crème Brûlée casks — using the very same barrels previously used to age WhistlePig's own house maple syrup, a real point of provenance that's genuinely rare in the whiskey world. Only a handful of barrels of this whiskey were ever produced, making it one of the scarcest, most inventive expressions in the entire WhistlePig lineup.

Built on WhistlePig's established 12-year rye program, distilled from a mash bill of 94% rye and 6% malted barley, the whiskey ages a full 12 years before receiving this finishing treatment — one genuinely unusual enough to dial back the distillery's traditionally heavy rye spice in favor of a beautifully sweet, dessert-like profile, while still keeping enough of that bold rye backbone underneath to balance the sweetness rather than let it run unchecked.

Origins & Craftsmanship

WhistlePig 12 Year Bespoke Barrel Rye Whiskey, Maple Crème Brûlée Cask, is built from WhistlePig's established 12-year rye whiskey program, distilled from a mash bill of 94% rye and 6% malted barley. Following 12 years of primary maturation, the whiskey finishes in proprietary custom Maple Crème Brûlée casks — genuine barrels previously used to age WhistlePig's own house maple syrup, a rare and deliberately inventive finishing choice.

Only a handful of barrels of this whiskey were ever produced, part of WhistlePig's Bespoke Barrel program, which showcases custom single-cask and small-batch expressions built to push beyond the distillery's traditional rye-forward house style. Bottled at 43% ABV / 86 proof, 750ml.

Tasting Profile

Nose
Maple syrup leads, joined by bananas foster, toasted brown sugar, and warm cinnamon, alongside vanilla custard and caramelized sugar.

Palate
Approachable and sweet, with graham cracker and toasted sugar opening, developing rich crème brûlée, banana pudding, and light fruit, balanced by classic WhistlePig rye spice on the back palate.

Finish
Medium to long, closing with icing sugar, burnt maple, and lingering rye warmth — genuinely sweet, but never losing its underlying bold rye backbone.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Banana pudding
• Grilled meats and summer barbecue
• Crème brûlée or maple-based desserts
• Aged, nutty cheeses

Serving Note

Best enjoyed neat to fully appreciate its rich, dessert-like layering of maple, caramel, and vanilla — the approachable proof also makes it a great entry point for anyone new to cask-finished rye.