It’s a great time to be a fan of whisk(e)y. Whether you like bourbon, American single malt, rye, single malt Scotch, or any other whiskey from all corners of the globe, we’re in the midst of a whiskey renaissance. In the US alone, there are more than 2,000 distilleries currently producing spirits. That’s in addition to over 150 in Scotland and countless more scattered all over the world. That’s an awful lot of whiskey to sift through.
The best part? This glut of distilleries means there are noteworthy whiskey releases happening each and every week. In the last few months, there’s been an influx of outstanding whiskey expressions. Some are re-releases, others limited editions, and some are new additions to a brand’s core lineup. There’s a mix of offerings from big names like Booker’s, Old Forester, Dewar’s, and Wild Turkey along with fresh flavors from lesser-known brands.
Photo via Isle of Harris Distillery
Isle of Harris The Hearach of Château Biac
If you’ve never heard of Isle of Harris Distillery, it’s likely because this Outer Hebrides operation has only been in production since 2015. What it lacks in history, it makes up for in quality. Released in March, The Hearach of Château Biac is a must-try expression for fans of single malt Scotch. This limited-edition whisky is made in collaboration with Château Biac in Bordeaux. While it carries no age statement, it is matured completely in French wine oak barrels. The result is multi-layered and nuanced, with notes of citrus peels, dried fruits, fresh leather, cherries, vanilla, light spices, and light peat smoke.
Photo via Pernod Ricard
Jefferson’s Reserve Cask Strength Bourbon
Opened in 1997, Jefferson’s Bourbon is well-known for its innovative releases, including its Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon. Recently, the brand announced the release of its Reserve Cask Strength expression. This limited-edition, 130-proof bourbon is matured for eight years in new, charred American oak barrels. This results in a memorable, complex spirit that begins with a nose of vanilla, baked apples, and toffee. Sipping it reveals notes of dried fruits, toasted vanilla beans, oak, and gentle spices.
Photo via Old Potrero Distillery
Old Potrero Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey
In commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, this Bay Area brand recently launched this limited-edition whiskey, with a mash bill of 100% malted rye. It’s distilled in pot stills and aged for a minimum of thirteen years in charred, fine-grain American oak barrels. The result is a 100-proof rye that starts with aromas of candied orange peels, fresh leather, and wintry spices. The palate is a mix of vanilla beans, oak, and peppery spice. It all ends with a warm, lingering finish of herbal tea, orange peels, oak, caramel, and cracked black pepper.
Photo via Beam Suntory
Booker’s Bourbon—Barry’s Batch
Booker’s is arguably the most popular whiskey in Jim Beam’s Small Batch line. Released four times per year, no batch is the same. The most recent addition is named for Barry Berish, former Beam Chairman and CEO. This 125.7-proof bourbon is a marriage of whiskeys aged in barrels featuring four production dates in five different barrelhouses. Officially, it spent 7 years, 2 months, and 4 days maturing. The result is complex and balanced, featuring notes of vanilla beans, oak, toffee, dried fruits, and baking spices.
Photo via Bacardi Limited
Dewar’s Double Double 21-Year-Old Magma Stone Toasted
The name might be a mouthful, but this blended Scotch from Dewar’s is definitely worth seeking out. The newest addition to the brand’s Double Double Collection, it is matured for at least 21 years using Dewar’s four-stage aging process. The last step includes finishing in French oak barrels that are toasted using Icelandic magma stones. This creates a unique, memorable whisky loaded with flavors like caramel apples, cinnamon candy, vanilla beans, dried fruits, and spices. Sip it neat, on the rocks, or mixed into your favorite whisky-based cocktail.
Photo via Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: P.X. Sherry
A big name in the American whiskey world, Barrell Bourbon’s newest release begins with a mash bill of 80% corn, 16% rye, and 4% malted barley. This blend of whiskey features nine and ten-year-old Kentucky-made bourbons, six, seven, eight, and twelve-year-old Indiana-made bourbons, and seven and fifteen-year-old Tennessee bourbons. It gets its name because it’s finished in barrels that previously held Spanish Pedro Ximénez sherry. This creates a noteworthy 57.76% ABV whiskey that features flavors like orchard fruits, vanilla beans, dried cherries, candied pecans, butter cream frosting, oak, and cracked black pepper.
