Michter's 10 Year Rye, Yoichi 10 year old, & More [New Releases]

We regularly cover new whiskies here at Whisky Advocate, but with some bottlings, we delve just a little deeper. This week, for instance, there are two new projects in the mix: a single barrel Empire rye from New York Distilling made exclusively for the Brooklyn-based Wythe Hotel, and an entirely new brand from master blender Dixon Dedman. The Empire rye is a celebration of Brooklyn's rich distilling and cocktailing cultures, which both have been reborn in the past decade, while Dixon Dedman's release marks an exciting new chapter for this acclaimed Kentucky blender, who's best known for reviving Kentucky Owl back in 2014.

Of course, there are plenty of additional whiskies to present this week. Michter's is back with the latest edition of its highly coveted 10 year old Rye, Nikka returns with an age-statement Japanese single malt, and Nelson Green Brier sweetens its range with a bourbon finished in a honey-coated cask. Read on for full details.

Michter’s 10 year old Rye
Style: Straight rye
Origin: Kentucky
Age: 10 year old
ABV: 46.4%
Price: $200
Release: April 2023
Availability: Limited

Need to know:

Unlike Michter's 10 year old bourbon, which skipped a year in 2022, the 10 year old rye's most recent appearance was in July of last year. As always, Michter’s 10 year old Rye is a single barrel whiskey that’s distilled and bottled in Kentucky.

Whisky Advocate says:

This whiskey is always among the most sought-after of the Michter’s releases, and while there is no specific word on quantities, Michter's making strides to ramp up production. It has already expanded fermentation capacity by adding six 18,000-gallon fermenters at its main distillery in Shively (Louisville), and late last year the distillery moved to a 24/7 schedule. The company also went live with new bottling equipment in January 2023. And in 2021, Michter’s expanded the acreage on its farm operations in Springfield, Kentucky from 145 acres to 205 acres, allowing for more estate-grown grain production.

Yoichi 10 year old
Style: Single malt
Origin: Japan
Age: 10 year old
ABV: 45%
Price: $175
Release: April 2023
Availability: Limited annual release

Need to know:

During 2015, Nikka whisky withdrew its age statement range in the face of a steep global rise in demand for Japanese whisky, but this release marks their return.

Whisky Advocate says:

Price comparisons between the old and new 10 year old would be unfavorable given how the world has moved on, but as a limited annual release, this new release still comes in at significantly less than the experimental Discovery Series whiskies that are marking the years until the company’s 90^th anniversary in 2024. The non-age statement Yoichi bottlings provided a delicious stopgap, but this is a welcome sign that Nikka is getting back to business as usual.

Nelson Brothers Honey Cask Finish
Style: Blend of straight bourbons
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 53.6%
Price: $199
Release: May 2023
Availability: Limited; distillery exclusive

Need to know:

A finished blend of straight bourbons, this gets its name from the honey-coated cask it's finished in. The Nelson Brothers barrel is glazed in TruBee Honey’s wildflower honey—made in Arrington, Tennessee—after which the bourbon is added back, where it’s then finished for 8 months.

Whisky Advocate says:

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery first came out with a Honey Cask for its Belle Meade bourbon line in 2018. Last year, Honey Cask became a Nelson Brothers label. The whiskey’s finish has drummed up quite the fan base, prompting another release this year. It’ll be available at the company's Nashville distillery starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, at an event where specialty cocktails, food trucks, and exclusive merchandise will also be in the mix. Given its limited nature, the whiskey is limited to one bottle per person. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tennessee Beekeeper Association, which supports beekeepers across the state.

Three Chord Honey Toasted
Style: Blended
Origin: Not stated
Age: Not stated
ABV: 55.65%
Price: $60
Release: May 2023
Availability: Limited; at select stores in 20+ states, or online at sharedpour.com

Need to know:

This new expression comprises a blend of three whiskeys—a 6 year old, 21% rye bourbon from MGP; a 5 year old, 36% rye bourbon from MGP; and an 8 year old Kentucky corn whiskey—at a 28:40:32 ratio, respectively. After blending, the whiskey is aged for 3 months in toasted barrels from Independent Stave Company and Speyside Cooperage. The month-long finishing process takes place inside honey barrels from Fern Valley Farms of Arkansas.

Whisky Advocate says:

Three Chord Bourbon was launched by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Neil Giraldo back in 2018. Its team of blenders and coopers is led by master blender Ari Sussman, who previously served as head distiller for the Michigan craft players Red Cedar Spirits and Mammoth Distilling. Prior to this new expression, Three Chord’s focus on both barrels and blending has resulted in the release of its 12 year old Twelve Bar Reserve Barrel-proof Bourbon, 15 year old Drummer Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and Strange Collaboration (Batch 001)—all of which received high marks from our tasting panel.

Prairie Gold
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Texas
Age: 3 year old
ABV: 50%
Price: $100
Release: May 2023
Availability: Nationwide

Need to know:

This is the flagship bourbon from Blackland Distillery, located in Fort Worth, Texas. Prairie Gold is made from a mashbill of 80% yellow corn and 20% triticale (which is a wheat and rye hybrid), both of which come from Texas farmers. The whiskey was cooked, fermented, and distilled at Blackland, and aged for a minimum of 3 years.

Whisky Advocate says:

Prairie Gold will be available exclusively at Blackland’s tasting room on May 4; shortly after that, it’ll be on retail shelves across the country. Blackland opened its doors in 2019, offering up a Texas Pecan Brown Sugar bourbon and a rye, vodka, and gin. The distillery itself, a 6,500-square-foot space with a cocktail lounge, bar, and tasting room, is located in Fort Worth’s Foundry district.

Smokehead Tequila Cask Terminado
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 43%
Price: $80/700 ml
Release: April 2023
Availability: Limited

Need to know:

For this whisky, original Smokehead was finished in tequila casks for 6 months for a dual dose of peat and agave flavors.

Whisky Advocate says:

Smokehead is among the younger Islay single malts—it’s in your face and showcases the true flavors of the whisky-making island. Smokehead doesn’t have a distillery home, but it’s within the Ian MacLeod Distillers portfolio, which also includes the Glengoyne, Tamdhu, and Rosebank scotch whiskies.

Jack Daniel’s McLaren Racing 2023 Limited Edition
Style: Tennessee whiskey
Origin: Tennessee
Age: Not stated
ABV: 40%
Price: $33
Release: May 2023
Availability: Select cities domestically and internationally.

Need to know:

Jack Daniel’s newest limited-edition bottle was released in celebration of Formula One (F1) racing. The whiskey itself is Jack Daniel’s classic Old No.7 : 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye and bottled at 40% ABV. The difference is only in the packaging. The 700 ml bottles will only be available for purchase in select F1 race cities around the world beginning in May.

Whisky Advocate says:

This release was the fruit of a partnership between Jack Daniel Distillery and McLaren Racing. Founded by Bruce McLaren in 1963, McLaren Racing has been in F1 since 1966—exactly a century after the legendary Jack Daniel officially registered his distillery in 1866. The packaging honors both Jack and the McLaren team colors, with “McL X JD” in bold orange lettering. McLaren is currently running 5th in the constructors' championship, and this announcement came days ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit.

Southern Distilling Co. Hunting Creek Bottled in Bond
Style: Straight rye
Origin: North Carolina
Age: 5 year old
ABV: 50%
Price: $50
Release: April 2023
Availability: North Carolina exclusive (at the distillery and ABC stores)

Need to know:

A revival of a historical, pre-Prohibition North Carolinian whiskey, Southern Distilling Co.’s newest expression is a bonded rye. 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley comprise this whiskey, which is aged for 5 years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).

Whisky Advocate says:

When Pete and Vienna Barger opened Southern Distilling Co. in 2013, their main goal was to return Statesville, North Carolina to its former glory as a titan in the whiskey world. In the late 1800s there were hundreds of farm distilleries around the city, which supplied the East Coast with whiskey via the city’s rail lines. With the ratification of Prohibition by way of the 18^th Amendment, this extensive system was completely decimated. Prior to Southern Distilling Co.’s revival, Old Hunting Creek straight rye was one such Statesville-distilled whiskey that Prohibition had all but eradicated. Southern Distilling Co. currently holds the trademark of this old brand, and plans to release this expression locally to North Carolina residents.

Griffo Distillery Still Waldos
Style: Single malt
Origin: California
Age: 2 year old
ABV: 42%
Price: $96
Release: April 2023
Availability: pre-order at griffodistillery.com; Griffo’s Tasting Bar and Barrel Room in Petaluma, California, Top Ten Liquors in Minnesota, and online for California residents starting April 28th.

Need to know:

Still Waldos starts its life as an unhopped triple IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Co., which is twice-distilled in copper pot stills. It is made from 100% malted barley, which is accented with hops during distillation, then aged in American oak casks made by Seguin Moreau, a French cooperage now located in Napa, for just under 3 years and bottled at 42% ABV.

Whisky Advocate says:

This American single malt is the result of a partnership between longtime neighbors Griffo Distillery and Lagunitas Brewing Co.—located a block away from each other in Petaluma, California. The name, inspiration, and mash for this whiskey all come from Waldos’ Special Ale, a triple IPA that Lagunitas first debuted in 2011 in commemoration of “The Waldos”, 4/20, and cannabis culture. The IPA has since become a yearly release, with limited quantities hitting shelves every April except for 2020. Still Waldos whiskey, on the other hand, is a very limited release available to California residents (online, or at Griffo’s tasting bar) and at Top Ten Liquors in Minnesota.