Do you ever wonder what unique cask finish the annual release of WhistlePig’s Boss Hog rye whiskey will have? Well, wonder no more. The newest edition, The Boss Hog X: The Commandments, has a completely one-of-a-kind finish, using mead barrels and casks seasoned with frankincense and myrrh-infused spirit. Now, before we dive into the details, let’s talk about the inconstant constants of the Boss Hog. There are 10 key points, ranging from marketing phrases to important facts. We’ve got the usual bottle being a single barrel release, bottled at barrel-proof, and even the promise of it being “Distinctly Unique From Anything We’ve Done Before.”

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of The Commandments. It’s a sourced straight rye whiskey from Alberta Distillers in Canada, and although there is no age statement, the brand’s representative claims it’s one of their oldest age statements. The whiskey starts its maturation process in new charred American oak barrels. But here’s where things get interesting – it’s then finished in two “unorthodox” barrels for about a week each. The first barrels are seasoned with an experimental spirit made by WhistlePig using whey and rye infused with Boswellia and Commiphora resin, or frankincense and myrrh. The second set of barrels previously held mead, which is an ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermenting honey.

In the past, WhistlePig has played it relatively safe with cask finishes like rum barrels. But they’ve also dabbled in more adventurous finishes, such as tentura and fig nectar casks. The seventh release even had a secondary maturation in amburana casks, which seems to have garnered some hesitation from whiskey enthusiasts. But fear not, The Boss Hog X: The Commandments falls into the realm of the weirder side of WhistlePig without going completely overboard.

When we had the chance to sample The Commandments, we discovered a fascinating combination of scents and flavors. On the nose, we detected rye and honey aromas. As we took a sip, a delightful sweet and sour mix revealed itself on the palate. Notes of incense subtly came through without overpowering everything. The rye character was still present, but there were also flavors like baking spice, perfume, sweet cherry and grape, honeycomb, orange sherbet, molasses, bubblegum, and even a hint of balsamic vinegar. Head blender Meghan Ireland explained that the team experimented with the resins used for seasoning the finishing barrels, and she herself was unsure if it would work until they crafted the rye and whey spirit.

Now, it’s important to note that The Boss Hog X: The Commandments might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Traditionalists and those who have had their fill of WhistlePig’s lychee-infused whiskeys and sunglasses collaborations might want to skip this one. But if you’re looking to try something irreverent and truly unique, go ahead and grab yourself a bottle. You can purchase The Commandments from the WhistlePig website or check out the rest of their lineup on ReserveBar. Be warned though, it comes with a price tag of $600.

So, there you have it, the story remains the same, but the narrative is presented in a slightly different way.