WhistlePig The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific
- Ashley King
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 17
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
About This Spirit from the Maker
Single Barrel, Bottled at Proof, Powerfully Complex, Distinctly Unique From Anything We’ve Done Before. Stupendous.
An epic sequel to the World’s Best Rye, The Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific completes our journey around the world, unfurling a chronicle as rich and bold as the whiskey itself.
Upon crossing the Pacific, Captain Magellan met his fate at the hands of the legendary Filipino warrior LapuLapu. A fierce and vociferous defender of independence, LapuLapu led his island home against the Spaniards. There he forged a successful fortification, staving off colonial occupation for more than forty years.
In honor of our new hero, this rare edition sees a double finish in high toast, small batch, single island Philippine Rum casks, adding layers of warm spice and delicate tropical notes to an already deeply complex, well aged Rye Whiskey. LapuLapu’s Pacific is a profound statement of strength and independence, a spectacular sequel to Magellan’s Atlantic.
This rare and outstandingly complex whiskey is barrel strength, bottled between 104.8 and 106.6 proof.
Nose
Rich lush vanilla aromas give way to delicate tropical notes including underripe bananas, freshly picked lemon and molasses.
Palate
Abundant fresh ground cinnamon with citrus zest, butterscotch, and light notes of toffee.
Finish
Tanned leather, light brown sugar, nutmeg and allspice with a long-lasting black pepper rye spice.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
How We Feel About the Spirit
LapuLapu’s Pacific: A Story in a Bottle
There are bottles you buy to drink, and bottles you buy to keep. For us, WhistlePig’s Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific is firmly in the latter category. It sits on our shelf unopened, not because we don’t trust the whiskey inside, but because it feels like more than a drink—it feels like a story worth preserving.
Our obsession with WhistlePig has taken us through releases that push boundaries, but this one struck a different chord. It carried our heritage in its name. LapuLapu, the Filipino warrior who stood against Magellan, is more than a historical figure—he’s a symbol of independence, resilience, and pride. To see him honored in a whiskey of this caliber felt like a bridge between our roots and our passion.
The bottle itself is bold, a collector’s piece that whispers of adventure across oceans. WhistlePig describes it as “powerfully complex” and “distinctly unique,” finished in Philippine rum casks that add tropical nuance to its already rich rye character. Even without opening it, we imagine the nose of vanilla and bananas, the palate of cinnamon and citrus, the finish of leather and spice. It’s a sensory journey we’ve chosen to save for another day.
But more than tasting notes, this bottle tells a tale. It’s the continuation of WhistlePig’s global voyage, a sequel to Magellan’s Atlantic, and a tribute to the warrior who defended his island home. For us, it’s also a reminder that collecting whiskey isn’t just about flavor—it’s about history, heritage, and the stories we choose to honor.
So there it stands, unopened yet alive with meaning. A bottle that represents our Filipino roots, our love for WhistlePig, and our belief that sometimes the greatest treasures aren’t the ones you consume, but the ones you keep.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Related Cocktails
A whiskey of this caliber isn’t meant to be hidden in a cocktail shaker. Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific is the kind of spirit that deserves center stage. Collectors and connoisseurs alike would likely savor it in one of three ways:
Neat – allowing its barrel strength and complexity to shine without distraction.
On the Rocks – a slow melt of ice softening the edges, coaxing out tropical notes from the rum cask finish.
With a Splash of Water – just enough to open up the layers of spice, citrus, and leather that define its character.
Cocktails, while fun for many whiskeys, feel out of place here. This is a bottle designed to be appreciated in its purest form—whether that’s neat, gently cooled, or delicately opened with water.
For us, the enjoyment lies in knowing that when the day comes to finally pour a glass, it will be an experience worthy of its story. Until then, it remains a treasure in our collection, waiting patiently for its moment.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
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