WhistlePig’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Reinvention of Dry January
WhistlePig Distillery, a brand that has made a name for itself crafting award-winning rye whiskeys over the last decade, has just released a collaboration Old Fashioned with Alice Cooper.
Introduction
Dry January is often the season of sipping seltzer and resigning yourself to uninspired mocktails. But WhistlePig Whiskey, a brand that’s made a name for itself by bucking convention, has decided to try its hand at crafting an attention-grabbing, non-alcoholic version of a classic cocktail.
The Cocktail
Teaming up with rock icon Alice Cooper, who famously swore off alcohol decades ago, WhistlePig has created the Sex, Drugs, Rock & Dry Old Fashioned, a non-alcoholic cocktail that’s a far cry from most mocktails. This isn’t your average Dry January drink that attempts to mimic booze; WhistlePig’s concoction starts with 100% Rye Non-Whiskey, then adds barrel-aged maple syrup, adaptogenic Cordyceps and Schisandra Berry, and a touch of aphrodisiac Damiana. The flavor profile aims to emulate a classic Old Fashioned by blending the flavors of ripe summer berries with black pepper and candied lime. Smoky, umami undertones bring depth, creating a beverage that Don Draper and the Mad Men crew would appreciate.
WhistlePig Sex, Drugs, Rock & Dry Old Fashioned
The beverage follows up on WhistlePig’s popular Dank & Dry January Old Fashioned release from 2024. “Last year’s Dank January release showed us that fans are here to hang loose, whatever they’re sipping this month,” says Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig’s Head Blender. “No Dry January drinker should miss out on a high quality Old Fashioned made with real, aged Rye ‘Non-Whiskey’, nor the freedom to be obscene (even if they’re clean).”
Brand Innovation
WhistlePig’s commitment to shaking up expectations is nothing new. Based on a 500-acre Vermont farm, the brand has been redefining rye whiskey for over a decade, turning what was once an overlooked grain into a powerhouse of innovation. Legendary distiller Dave Pickerell envisioned WhistlePig as a sandbox for experimentation, and the team he left behind has kept that spirit alive with bold age statements and creative approaches to whiskey-making. The collaboration with Alice Cooper not only solidifies their innovative spirit but also introduces a new realm in the landscape of cocktails — non-alcoholic yet tantalizingly indulgent.
The Experience
But this release isn’t just a stunt. Partnering with Primary Wave Music, WhistlePig has crafted more than a cocktail; it’s an experience. A limited-edition vinyl featuring Alice Cooper’s album Breadcrumbs is available in its Go Pig Go Bundle, designed to bring collector buzz to a space not known for limited releases. For a few lucky fans, there’s even a chance to golf and jam with Cooper himself, leveling up the non-alcoholic experience.
“I’ve been shocking audiences for years with snakes, guillotines, and enough fake blood to fill the Grand Canyon. But now these maniacs at WhistlePig have gone and shocked me with a non-alcoholic cocktail. Sex, Drugs, Rock & Dry Old Fashioned is a lethal injection of flavors proving you don’t need to be drunk to be punk.”
— Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper, the iconic rock legend
Charitable Efforts
Beyond the theatrics, the limited-release alcoholic cocktail benefits people in need. All profits from the Sex, Drugs, Rock & Dry Old Fashioned go to Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit providing emergency support for food service workers. It’s a meaningful gesture in an industry still recovering from recent years’ fallout.
Availability
The cocktail, priced at $49.99 per bottle, hit shelves on January 1, 2025. For those who want the whole WhistlePig experience, the $199.99 Go Pig Go Bundle includes the Alice Cooper vinyl and is limited to just 250 units. With a rebellious edge, the cocktail is yet another offering in the non-to-low alcohol space from an established brand that is changing how consumers look at a rapidly expanding space.
The Go Pig Go Bundle featuring Alice Cooper’s vinyl
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