{"product_id":"whistlepig-the-boss-hog-edition-六-the-samurai-scientist-katakana-edition","title":"WhistlePig The Boss Hog Edition 六 – The Samurai Scientist Katakana Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Katakana Edition of WhistlePig's Boss Hog VI — the same Japanese Umeshu cask finish and koji fermentation as the standard Samurai Scientist, in a bottle featuring Japanese katakana script.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBoss Hog VI: The Samurai Scientist is the sixth edition of WhistlePig's annual flagship series — single barrel, bottled at proof, with a unique finishing cask chosen for that edition. The Samurai Scientist is the first American whiskey ever finished using Japanese Umeshu (plum wine) casks, the result of a collaboration between WhistlePig and the Kitaya brewery on Japan's Kyushu island. The production also introduced koji fermentation to the blend — an ancient Japanese technique pioneered in American distilling by Jokichi Takamine, whose portrait appears on the bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Katakana Edition is a variant of the same release featuring Japanese katakana script on the bottle — a collector's variant produced for a specific market segment and significantly rarer than the standard edition.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep amber with warm mahogany tones.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ripe plum, warm rye spice, delicate floral notes, and a subtle umami undertone from the koji influence.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold rye grain character meeting plum fruit and a layered savory depth that no other rye whiskey delivers.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and evolving — warm spice, dried plum, and lingering Japanese oak character.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e WhistlePig Farm, Shoreham, Vermont\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Straight Rye Whiskey\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese Umeshu casks, Kitaya Brewery, Kyushu, Japan\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBottling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single barrel, bottled at proof (120–122)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVariant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katakana Edition (Japanese script label)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/whistlepig\"\u003eWhistlePig collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/rye\"\u003erye whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between the Katakana Edition and the standard Samurai Scientist?\u003c\/strong\u003e The liquid is the same — both are single barrel, bottled at proof, Japanese Umeshu cask finish. The Katakana Edition features Japanese katakana script on the bottle rather than the standard Roman alphabet label. It was produced for a specific collector market and is rarer than the standard release.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Umeshu and how does it affect the whiskey?\u003c\/strong\u003e Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume plums in shochu or sake with sugar. The residual plum fruit, sweetness, and subtle acidity in the casks impart ripe plum notes and a delicate floral character with no parallel in Western cask finishing traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWho was Jokichi Takamine?\u003c\/strong\u003e Jokichi Takamine (1854–1922) was a Japanese-American chemist who pioneered koji fermentation in American whiskey production. Boss Hog VI honors his legacy by reviving that technique in a collaboration with a Japanese brewery built on koji tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the Boss Hog VI Katakana Edition a limited release?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — single barrel by definition, and the Katakana variant adds an additional layer of scarcity. This will not be restocked.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"What is the difference between the Katakana Edition and the standard Samurai Scientist?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"The liquid is the same — both are single barrel, bottled at proof, Japanese Umeshu cask finish. The Katakana Edition features Japanese katakana script on the bottle and was produced for a specific collector market, making it rarer than the standard release.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"What is Umeshu and how does it affect the whiskey?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping ume plums in shochu or sake with sugar. The residual plum character in the casks imparts ripe plum notes and a delicate floral complexity with no parallel in Western cask finishing.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Who was Jokichi Takamine?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Jokichi Takamine (1854–1922) was a Japanese-American chemist who pioneered koji fermentation in American whiskey production. Boss Hog VI honors his legacy.\"       }     },     {       \"@type\": \"Question\",       \"name\": \"Is the Boss Hog VI Katakana Edition a limited release?\",       \"acceptedAnswer\": {         \"@type\": \"Answer\",         \"text\": \"Yes — single barrel by definition, and the Katakana variant adds an additional layer of scarcity. This will not be restocked.\"       }     }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"WhistlePig","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49128327643388,"sku":"KT-850001901192","price":3505.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/WhistlePig_The_Boss_Hog_Edition_The_Samurai_Scientist_Katakana_Edition.png?v=1779559625","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/whistlepig-the-boss-hog-edition-%e5%85%ad-the-samurai-scientist-katakana-edition","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}