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Valtteri Bottas Takes Driver’s Seat for Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber Whiskey Release
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Valtteri Bottas is known for his daring moves on the Formula 1 circuit, but the driver’s latest release is a decidedly left turn from the track.
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Bottas and Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber have teamed up with WhistlePig Whiskey for a new limited-edition whiskey release, that pays homage to craftsmanship, precision and performance. Officially dubbed the “WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye: Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber Single Barrel,” the release is available for purchase now for $59.99 online.
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WhistlePig says the liquid was personally selected by Bottas and the F1 Team, and the driver’s fingerprints are (metaphorically) all over the release: the rye whiskey is aged for six years in New American Oak and finished in gin barrels from Bottas’ brand, OΛTH Gin. The final whiskey is also bottled at 100.77 proof – a nod to Bottas’ racing number, 77.
From his signature mullet to his bott-ass calendars, Bottas has always been known as a colorful personality off the track, and the driver says he was thrilled to work with WhistlePig on something equally unique. “Of course I’m a fan of great whiskey, but I’ve also been interested in working with brands that aren’t afraid to be daring and experiential,” he tells Rolling Stone. “The WhistlePig team doesn’t take themselves too seriously and I really liked the non-traditional vibe.”
The Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber Single Barrel offers traditional whiskey tasting notes of vanilla, caramel and spice, rounded off by “crisp apple” and “gentle pine” from the gin barrels. The palate is at once herbaceous and floral, with a “juicy tropical fruit finish,” according to the brand. Everything goes down crisp and smooth, ensuring that the only “kick” stays in the team name.
“Whiskey and gin are two of my favorite spirits,” Bottas says, “so being able to combine the two was really cool.” Plus, he adds, “Fans don’t always see my personality behind the car, so I like putting myself out there.”
Still, there is one thing Bottas had to learn about whiskey making: “The whiskey creation process is best taken slow, which is something I wasn’t used to,” the racer says.
As part of the partnership, WhistlePig is staking $1.77M in profits from the limited-edition release on a Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber victory this season. There are only a few races left for 2024, but the ever-buoyant Bottas says his goal is always to win. “Every race is a new learning opportunity and chance for improvement,” he says.
As for whether or not he’ll celebrate with a drink? “Moderation is important, of course,” the F1 star says. “But celebrating a win or major milestone with a good drink is somewhat of a tradition for me.”
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