Official Whiskey Campaign WhistlePig Pushes for Rye as America’s Official Whiskey
As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, WhistlePig Whiskey is marking the milestone with a patriotic campaign that celebrates America’s whiskey heritage while making a bold case for rye’s place in the nation’s history. The Vermont-based distiller, widely recognized as a pioneer in the ultra-premium rye whiskey category, has launched a nationwide initiative urging Americans to officially recognize rye as the country’s signature spirit. Alongside the campaign, the company is unveiling two limited-edition whiskey releases designed to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial and fuel summer celebrations leading up to Independence Day.
At the center of the campaign is a nationwide petition inviting Americans to support the declaration of rye as the official whiskey of the United States. The effort aims to spotlight rye’s historical significance in shaping the country’s earliest distilling traditions—long before bourbon rose to prominence as America’s most widely recognized native spirit.
The petition has been publicly endorsed and co-signed by Max Miller, creator and host of Tasting History, a widely followed educational platform that explores historical recipes and culinary traditions. Known for bringing food and drink history to life, Miller’s involvement underscores the campaign’s emphasis on heritage and storytelling. Through his work, he has helped audiences better understand the cultural role rye played in colonial America and its lasting impact on the nation’s drinking traditions.
Fans, whiskey enthusiasts, and history lovers can sign the petition through WhistlePig’s official website from now until July 4. The company has set a symbolic target of 1,776 signatures—a direct nod to the year of American independence. If the goal is reached, WhistlePig says it will deliver the petition directly to the U.S. Congress, turning the symbolic movement into a formal appeal.
According to WhistlePig CEO Alex Roberts, the campaign is about reclaiming an overlooked part of American whiskey history.
“Rye isn’t just part of American whiskey history—it is American whiskey history,” Roberts said. “Before bourbon, there was rye. Rye was a common grain in early American whiskey production, and it defined how this country drank. As America turns 250, we’re raising a glass to the original.”
That sentiment reflects WhistlePig’s longstanding brand identity. Since its founding, the company has positioned itself as a champion of rye whiskey, helping revive consumer interest in a category that had long been overshadowed by bourbon and other brown spirits. Under the guidance of late master distiller Dave Pickerell—widely known as a founding father of the modern craft distilling movement—WhistlePig built its reputation by focusing on bold, aged rye expressions and experimental releases that pushed the boundaries of traditional American whiskey-making.
To accompany the petition campaign and celebrate the nation’s upcoming milestone, the distillery is introducing two special-edition bottles designed to capture both patriotism and innovation.
The first is the Rye, White & Blue PiggyBank, a limited-edition expression built on WhistlePig’s flagship 10-Year Straight Rye Whiskey. This special release reimagines the whiskey that established the brand’s reputation in the ultra-premium rye market, offering the same bold and complex profile but with an elevated presentation tailored for the occasion.
Bottled at 110 proof, the whiskey delivers WhistlePig’s signature spicy rye character with amplified intensity, appealing to longtime fans of the brand and collectors alike. Its standout feature is the collectible patriotic PiggyBank decanter, a whimsical nod to WhistlePig’s playful branding and a centerpiece intended for holiday gatherings and display.
The second release, Declaration Wheat Whiskey, introduces a different dimension to WhistlePig’s portfolio. While the company is best known for rye-forward expressions, this new whiskey highlights wheat as its dominant grain, offering a smoother and more approachable alternative.
Made and aged entirely in the United States, Declaration Wheat Whiskey is crafted from an all-American grain blend featuring a high wheat mash bill. Bottled at 86 proof, it is designed for easy sipping and warm-weather enjoyment. The whiskey is double-aged in new American oak barrels, resulting in a softer, balanced profile that contrasts with rye’s bolder spice.
WhistlePig says the release was created specifically for summer entertaining and appeals to both whiskey newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts seeking something lighter.
Adding to the patriotic theme, each bottle is topped with a cracked Liberty Bell-inspired stopper—a symbolic reference to American independence and resilience. The decorative topper reinforces the commemorative nature of the release, aligning it with the broader celebration of the country’s 250th birthday.
Together, the two new offerings reflect WhistlePig’s strategy of balancing tradition with experimentation. One honors the rye legacy that built the brand, while the other explores new territory through wheat, showcasing the company’s willingness to innovate while staying rooted in American whiskey craftsmanship.
Both limited-edition releases became available beginning May 20 through select retailers and directly via WhistlePig Whiskey’s official website. The company says the bottles are intended to carry the patriotic celebration throughout the summer season, culminating in Fourth of July festivities.
The launch also arrives at a time when premium American whiskey continues to experience strong consumer demand, particularly among buyers seeking unique, collectible, and story-driven releases. By combining historical advocacy with special-edition products, WhistlePig is positioning itself not just as a whiskey producer, but as a cultural storyteller connecting modern consumers with America’s distilling roots.
For WhistlePig, the campaign is about more than marketing—it is about reclaiming rye’s rightful place in the national narrative.
As the United States prepares to celebrate two and a half centuries of independence, the company hopes Americans will not only raise a glass, but raise awareness about the spirit that helped define the country’s earliest drinking traditions. If the petition succeeds, rye may once again stand at the forefront of American whiskey identity—this time with official recognition and a modern revival led by one of the category’s biggest advocates.
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