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For many drinkers, bourbon can be a bit too sweet,” says Todd Leopold, distiller and co-founder at Leopold Bros. in Denver. “The American palate—at least for foodies—is moving very, very rapidly away from sweet and over into savory, bitter, and hot [as in Scoville hot]. Think of how popular bitter IPAs and aperitifs [Campari, Aperol] have become. This was unthinkable 25 years ago.” This is very good news for rye whiskey. Although it is still a small sliver of the American whiskey category, rye is finding fans among discerning drinkers who relish complex, often intense flavors, and it's finding its niche in both cocktails and for straight sipping.Because Kentucky and Tennessee are so closely associated with bourbon and its kissing cousin, Tennessee whiskey, rye gives far-flung distillers, like Leopold Bros., a way to sidestep those comparisons. Leopold Bros. deems their rye a Maryland-style, which they characterize as fruity, floral, and lightly oaked. They are experimenting...

Zuidam Distillery's Patrick van Zuidam is well aware of rye's reputation as a troublesome grain. “Basically, you end up with 10,000 liters of wallpaper paste,” says the Dutch master distiller, referring to rye's tendency toward ‘stuck mash' and frenetic foaming during fermentation. But van Zuidam and a rising number of global distillers refuse to let such challenges deter them from rye's irresistibly flavorful results. “Rye has that special earthy spiciness that connects you directly to the grain and to farming,” says van Zuidam, “If the end result wasn't so special, I wouldn't touch rye ever again.”As one of Europe's leading proponents of rye, van Zuidam notes that it is not so much a new grain as an old one. “There is heritage in the grain: rye has always been a major part of distilling in the Netherlands, though mostly for genever. Rye was cheap and easy to grow, even on very poor sandy soils. It doesn't need much to grow, apart from a bit of rain and sunshine at...

America has fallen back in love with rye whisky. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, sales of U.S.-distilled rye were marginal before 2007. However, since 2009, volumes have increased 934 percent, growing to 912.2 thousand cases in 2017. The surging demand caught nearly everyone by surprise, particularly U.S. distillers now struggling to satisfy America's thirst. After all, it takes years of barrel aging to make a decent rye whiskey. Fortunately, a northern neighbor has come to the rescue. That's right. Look closely at the label of some of America's notable ryes and you'll find that the contents originated not in Kentucky, but in Canada.In 2010, distiller Dave Pickerell launched Vermont's WhistlePigusing 100 percent rye whisky that he purchased from Alberta Distillers Limited (ADL) in Calgary, Canada. Pickerell, the long-time master distiller at Maker's Mark who passed away last year, is well-regarded as a whiskey visionary. Other producers saw his success, resulting in...

Danko, Abruzzi, and Rosen may sound like a law firm, or a not so hip 70s rock band. But you'll hear the names being bandied about at small distilleries around the U.S. They are heirloom varietals of rye—grains that had all but disappeared from American farming until about a decade ago, when craft distillers began seeking out local farmers to grow them. Their aim is to restore long-vanished rye whiskey styles, and these forgotten rye strains may be their key to success. It hasn't been an easy endeavor, but distillers believe the resulting differences make it all worthwhile.Farmers mainly use rye as a cover crop—planting it in the fall and plowing it under in the spring or summer, for the purpose of keeping the soil in place during winter. Larger distilleries look abroad for their rye grain—to Canada, Germany, or Sweden. Herman Mihalich, co-founder and distiller of Dad's Hat Rye in Bristol, Pennsylvania, was one of the early voices advocating for a return to native...

Danko, Abruzzi, and Rosen may sound like a law firm, or a not-so-hip 70s rock band. But you’ll hear the names being bandied about at small distilleries around the U.S. They are heirloom varietals of rye—grains that had all but disappeared from American farming until about a decade ago, when craft distillers began seeking out local farmers to grow them. Their aim is to restore long-vanished rye whiskey styles, and these forgotten rye strains may be their key to success. It hasn’t been an easy endeavor, but distillers believe the resulting differences make it all worthwhile.

Farmers mainly use rye as a cover crop—planting it in the fall and plowing it under in the spring or summer, for the purpose of keeping the soil in place during winter. Larger distilleries look abroad for their rye grain—to Canada, Germany, or Sweden. Herman Mihalich, co-founder and distiller of Dad’s Hat Rye in Bristol, Pennsylvania, was one of the early voices...

Rye is a traditional grain in both American and Canadian whiskies, notable for adding spice-like complexity even when used in small quantities. Some whisky renditions using rye are legally defined, like American rye whiskey with its minimum 51% rye. Others, like high-rye bourbon, are more generally accepted styles. Whether you prefer just a faint hint of rye or the jolt of 100% rye whiskey, this spectrum of lively rye-laced whiskeys will get your palate racing.
Bourbon
While corn is always the primary ingredient in bourbon, rye is a traditional flavoring grain. Bourbons that don't include any rye often feature wheat instead.
10% rye—Evan Williams Black Straight Bourbon—84 points, $15
13% rye—Wild Turkey 81 Proof Bourbon—82 points, $21
18% rye—Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon—89 points, $35
High-Rye Bourbon
Rye grain is a popular flavoring component in bourbon, which is made primarily from corn. Although not legally...

Scotland is undergoing a rye renaissance that has spiced up the debate about what can and cannot be produced in a Scotch whisky distillery. At least eight distilleries including Bruichladdich, InchDairnie, and Lone Wolf have been experimenting with rye, and while the spirit is aging in casks, distillers are busy scrutinizing the rules to work out how they can bottle it without falling foul of the Scotch Whisky Regulations, which dictate what can and cannot be labeled as scotch.Single malt Scotch whisky must be produced from 100% malted barley and must be distilled on a pot still, while single grain Scotch whisky is usually made from a mixture of malted barley with either corn or wheat, though any grain can be used. The historical record indicates that distillers in Scotland were using rye in the 18th century, with greater quantities used to make grain whisky in the 19th and 20th centuries. Rye is not a major crop harvested in the UK these days, but rye plantings have increased thanks...

It started in 2010 with two sets of ten seeds, acquired from the National Seed Repository in Idaho and grown safely indoors under lab lights at Cornell University. The seeds sprouted and grew into rye. The rye produced seeds—more than ten, but not enough to plant outdoors. One of the rye strains—Prolific, ironically—proved unsuitable, but the other—Horton—flourished. The seeds were replanted, another year passed, and finally there was enough rye to plant outdoors, on a tiny four-square-foot plot on a large, mostly organic farm in the Finger Lakes owned by Rick Pedersen. This rye, too, was harvested and replanted. It takes a million seeds to plant an acre of rye, and it can take an acre of rye, give or take, to make a barrel of whiskey—not counting what's set aside to grow even more rye the following year.It took until 2015 before there was enough Horton rye for New York Distilling Co., which initiated the project, to even distill a test batch. By 2017, there was enough to...

Rye has been a part of America's distilling heritage since colonial times, yet gets only a fraction of the recognition of its better-known sibling, bourbon. For a time in the late 20th century, whiskey distillers barely made any rye at all, and finding a bottle on the shelf of a liquor store could be a challenge. But in recent years, rye has made a comeback, and whiskey lovers are discovering (and rediscovering) how delicious it is.Bourbon has to be made of at least 51% corn, and similarly, rye has to contain 51% rye grain at a minimum. However, while bourbon must be made in America, and is most often associated with Kentucky, rye can be made anywhere, and different regions in North America have their own unique claim to it. If a rye is labeled as “straight,” it has been aged at least two years in a new charred oak barrel; if it's not straight, it might be younger than two, may have been aged in a used or new toasted barrel, or could have up to 2.5% added flavoring or...

The New Rye Cocktails
The 21st century’s cocktail culture has had a fellow traveler—rye whiskey. In fact, it can be argued that rye, with its bold flavors that stand up so well in mixed drinks, has been the catalyst for the entire cocktail boom. In any case, rye mixology certainly encapsulates America’s ongoing whiskey renaissance, from its very beginnings to the current day.
“When I grew up in the business there were not many choices [for rye],” says Mike Vacheresse, who has been bartending for over three decades and is the current owner of Travel Bar in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Today, with eager mixologists whipping up new recipes for cocktail classics of a bygone era, the call has gone out for all sorts of rye whiskeys. Most American distillers are now making rye, and bars offer a long list of them. Travel Bar, for example, offers 61 different ryes. Many are best as neat pours, but their versatility as a cocktail...

To understand rye whiskey’s remarkable revival, one first needs to understand the modern renaissance of the cocktail—because both have followed the same curve. As America moved through the latter half of the 20th century, rye had become about as unfashionable as the top hat and cane. In the mists of childhood Christmases past, I can recall rye as a drink favored by my great-aunt Mary, who always requested it—rye being her shorthand for a Manhattan. The rye in the home liquor cabinet was Old Overholt, the workhorse of rye’s wilderness years. My dear old auntie certainly knew how to appreciate rye, but she was part of an aging, dwindling generation of devotees.
It was a bleak time for rye whiskey, and years would pass before its revival would show even a flicker of life. The first spark came in 1987, when bartender Dale DeGroff—nobody would have called him a mixologist back then—helped relaunch the Promenade Bar at the Rainbow Room, high atop...

Father’s Day is on the near horizon (June 16th), and that means the new whisky releases are coming fast and furious. Rye and bourbon dominate the scene, including Wild Turkey's latest Master's Keep edition and the latest ultra-aged, and ultra-expensive expression from  W.L. Weller, Weller Miillenium. But we were particularly interested to see some big news from Sagamore Spirit. When its waterfront distillery in Baltimore, Maryland opened its doors in 2017, Sagamore was redoubling its mission to restore Maryland’s once-great reputation for rye whiskey. Focused entirely on rye, Sagamore initially used sourced liquid while its whiskey matured, gradually blending in its own make. But now comes the moment we’ve been waiting for: the release of its first 100% own-make, permanent rye edition. Things are actually ahead of schedule, as Sagamore originally projected that its first own-make rye wouldn’t be ready until 2025. Our...

Big flavors abound in this week's new releases. First up, Basil Hayden's is launching Dark Rye, a new whiskey that will be a part of the core line. Read the label closely and you'll notice a few things that stand out: this is a blend of Kentucky and Canadian ryes, and it includes port-style wine from California. Huh? Don't feel silly for being confused—it is unusual. According to the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB), which regulates these things, a non-straight rye whiskey can include up to 2.5% wine by volume and still be labeled as a rye. But Dark Rye is classified as a “whisky speciality,” so the wine probably exceeds that amount.Tullamore D.E.W. is bringing in apple flavors to its latest release, a blended Irish whiskey finished in hard cider casks. The whiskey is seasonally available and will return each year, and it's being sold in 1-liter bottles—great news if you plan to host a Halloween party and want to serve whiskey in volume. (And if you are...

Last weekend, our sister publication Cigar Aficionado's Big Smoke event teamed up with WhiskyFest to stage "Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest", a combined extravaganza at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. It was a day filled with exquisite cigars, world-class whisky, and great company, with over two thousand cigar and whisky fans in attendance. Tonight, WhiskyFest will be held in Chicago, then hit New York on November 11 before wrapping in San Francisco on December 3.As for this week's new whiskies, Johnnie Walker offers a blend made with a sky-high percentage of rye in the mashbill, Jack Daniel's has a new expression from its single barrel series, and Angel's Envy celebrates the 10th anniversary of its annual cask-strength port-finished bourbon release.Johnnie Walker High RyeStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: Not statedABV: 45%Price: $35Release: November 2021Availability: NationwideNeed to know:This whisky, which will be a core offering from Johnnie...

What’s a hot trend in scotch whisky? Well, believe it or not, it’s rye. At least 10 scotch whisky distilleries are laying down rye these days, with RyeLaw, the inaugural release from InchDairnie Distillery, becoming the latest addition to Scotland’s rye space. 
InchDairnie opened in 2015 just outside the Lowlands town of Glenrothes in Fife (not to be confused with Glenrothes Distillery on Speyside). InchDairnie partners with farmers within the boundaries of Fife to grow rye and barley, and the distillery is equipped with a hammer mill, mash conversion vessel, and a mash filter to handle rye, oats, and wheat, which are beyond the scope of most single malt scotch distilleries. The distillery’s founder Ian Palmer researched the historical use of rye in scotch and talked with distillers in Kentucky and Canada about their experiences with rye before producing his own. RyeLaw, uses 53% malted rye and 47% malted barley and was double distilled in 2017 using a...

August has started off with a bang, with plenty of new whiskies ripe for drinking. From Japan (and America) comes a new iteration of Legent from Beam Suntory, this one with a Yamazaki cask finish. Another intercontinental effort is Campfire from High West, that ingenious blend of rye, bourbon, and scotch whisky, whose annual release was announced this week. And pop icon Rod Stewart becomes the latest rocker to release a whisky—but if you're inclined to skip past it, note that it's made at Loch Lomond Distillery, so it definitely seems worth a look. Also from Scotland, Gordon & Macphail has released six new single malt bottlings, with vintage statements ranging from 1976–1997. There's a 1997 Imperial in there for $550—yes, that's the cheapest one—and things get very pricey from there.
On our side of the Atlantic, McCarthy's is back with its 6 year old expression, this one finished in Oloroso sherry casks. Barrell Craft Spirits...

The Monongahela River winds its way slowly from West Virginia to Pittsburgh, where it merges with the Allegheny to become the Ohio River. Centuries ago, farmer-distillers worked the Monongahela Valley, growing rye and distilling it into a distinct style of whiskey that took the region's name. Monongahela rye was the first American whiskey style to gain widespread recognition, both here and abroad. It became notorious due to an uprising among its distillers on the western frontier. The Whiskey Rebellion pushed back against taxation, and was quelled at the command of President George Washington.Originally an unaged product, the regional whiskey gained a meaningful prefix once people became familiar with the delicious, red-hued barrel-aged version: “Old” Monongahela. In fact, in 1794, while trying to mediate a confrontation with the rebels, former state assemblyman Hugh Henry Brackenridge explicitly referred to the whiskey's barrel-aging: “The people were mad. It never came into my...

The cocktail revival of the past two decades saw classics like the Manhattan return to our mixing glasses, an icy mix of bourbon, bitters, and sweet vermouth. However, as inspired bartenders sought the wisdom of the ancients by cracking open century-old cocktail guides, like medievalists digging through Greek manuscripts, they uncovered forgotten secrets. The 1887 edition of Jerry Thomas's Bar-Tender's Guide specified rye whiskey for the drink (other guides were vague, specifying only “whiskey”).“My sense is that rye was probably the more prominent whiskey used in the early days in the Manhattan, simply because it was the more firmly established spirit in the part of the country where much of the Manhattan development and writing was taking place,” says Philip Greene, author of The Manhattan: The Story of the First Modern Cocktail. Now, rye has not only reclaimed its rightful place in classic cocktails, but also expanded its influence into a broader array of drinks.Rye whiskey...

Great news for bourbon, rye, and American single malt fans, as new whiskeys from U.S. distillers are in full swing. Creative finishes, high age statements, and interesting blends are leading the way, offering excellent opportunities for exploration. In even better news, Wes Henderson—the Angel's Envy co-founder and one of the pioneers of finished bourbons—has now officially unretired. His return to whiskey includes a new brand set to launch next month, as well as plans for a new distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, not far down the road from Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, and Four Roses.
Scotch lovers, on the other hand, aren't getting quite the love compared to the current tidal wave of new American whiskey releases. This situation comes amid the sobering news that scotch exports to the States (and elsewhere) showed a decline in the first half of the year. But superstar single malts and blends are still at the fore, led by the...

Bourbon doesn't usually taste like the corn it's made with, and vodka rarely tastes of potatoes, grapes, or whatever the distiller chooses. Then there's rye, a grain that likes to stand and shout. We've rounded up a few examples where rye has spilled over into other spirits, so rye fanatics can experience their favorite grain—even beyond whiskey.St. George Spirits' master distiller Lance Winters notes that relatively flavorless grain neutral spirit (GNS) forms the foundation for most vodkas and gins. “A GNS base is like a blank canvas that allows botanicals to show their true colors, unadulterated. With rye as [our] base, it's like we're painting botanicals on black velvets,” he says. St. George's Dry Rye gin is malty and robust, so Winters doubles down on the amount of juniper used in his non-rye gins. St. George also offers a Dry Rye Reposado gin, rested in French and American oak wine casks.Devoid of oak or other flavorings, rye vodka is like rye undressed. Belvedere offers...

The whisky world was abuzz with news this week. WhiskyFest took place in Chicago last Friday, May 12th, drawing in newcomers and returnees to the Windy City’s marquee whisky event. Bourbon heavyweight James B. Beam Distilling Co. has thrown its hat into the American single malt ring with the release of Clermont Steep—its first official ASM expression, and a permanent addition to its whiskey family. In an exclusive interview with Whisky Advocate, Justin Sloan and Justin Thompson of Washington, D.C. retail outfit Justins’ House of Bourbon have responded to the TTB dropping its counterfeiting claims.
As far as new expressions go, whisky fans are spoiled for choice this week. Newcomer Forbidden has debuted with a small batch bourbon expression, Chattanooga Whiskey has added a new bourbon to its Experimental Batch series, Jack Daniel’s has a new barrel proof rye, and Kilchoman released its 2023 edition of Loch Gorm. Read on for full...

It’s a great week for American whiskey lovers, with new releases from Beam, Heaven Hill, Michter’s, Barrell, Kentucky Owl, and more. Freddie Noe has introduced another chapter of Little Book, which spotlights unique blends; this release is no different, combining five unique bourbon and rye components. Heaven Hill has followed up the May release of its Grain-to-Glass bourbon with the second iteration of its Grain-to-Glass rye. Elsewhere, Michter’s returns with its two Legacy Series brands, Shenk’s Homestead and Bomberger’s, which honor key figures in the distillery’s history. Rounding out the week in new releases are fresh bourbon batches from Barrell and Kentucky Owl, a rye from Wigle Distillery, a high-rye straight malt from Root Shoot Spirits, and an Irish single grain from Two Stacks.
Little Book Chapter 9: “None For Granted” Blend
ABV: 60.9%
SRP: $160
Availability: Limited
Fred B. Noe master distiller...

High West Distillery is making a major change to one of its core whiskeys, Double Rye. Previously a blend of 2 year old rye from Indiana's MGP Distillery and 16 year old rye from Kentucky's Barton 1792 Distillery, Double Rye will now include a portion of High West's own rye, made in Utah. The exact proportion of whiskeys isn't being disclosed, but master distiller Brendan Coyle says the house-made whiskey is a minority of the blend and ranges in age from 4 to 7 years old. “We have some fairly complex, intricate blending recipes; the High West component that is in the Double Rye recipe now is a blend in itself,” he explains, adding that the mashbill for all the house-made whiskey is 80% rye and 20% malted rye. The abv (46%), price ($35), and packaging for Double Rye will all remain the same. If there's an 18 at the beginning of the batch number on the label, that means the whiskey inside is the new recipe.The High West-made rye replaces the 16 year old Barton rye, which is in...

212 is the area code for Manhattan, and it’s also the recipe formula for the city’s namesake whiskey cocktail: 2 oz. of rye, 1 oz. sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters. It’s a timeless classic, and arguably the most popular rye cocktail of all time.
On paper, it’s a very simple drink with just those three ingredients, but what sets every Manhattan apart—aside from the person making it—are the types of whiskeys and vermouths that make it into the mixing glass.
There was a time not long ago when finding different rye whiskeys wasn’t so easy, as rye lived in the shadow of bourbon. For the most part, bars stocked Old Overholt, Pikesville, Rittenhouse, Canadian Club, and that was about it. But with the rejuvenation of cocktail culture in the early aughts came a newfound appreciation for rye, and distillers across the country heeded the call.
With so many ryes to choose from now, choosing a great cocktail rye can be...

Japanese whisky lovers have cause for celebration, as Suntory announced last week that it will be investing $77 million into its whisky distilleries over the next two years. The Yamazaki and Hakushu Distilleries will each receive a new malting floor as well as updated visitor experiences as part of the expansion. 
Coinciding with that announcement is news that Suntory plans to bring its Ao world blend to the States for the first time. Other new releases from this week include an Irish rye from Powers, Batch 34 of Barrell Bourbon, and a sauternes cask-finished American single malt that will be a part of Westward's Whiskey Club. Read on for full details. 
Suntory Ao
Style: Blend
Origin: World (Japan, Scotland, Ireland, U.S., and Canada)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 43%Price: $55
Release: February 2023
Availability: Widely available
Need to know: This blend is created using Beam Suntory whiskies distilled in five...

Bourbon must be made with a mashbill of at least 51% corn, and the remainder generally comes from some combination of rye, malted barley, and/or wheat, though some distillers who use oat, millet, amaranth, and other esoteric grains. This gives whiskey makers plenty of creative room when it comes to the mashbill, but the ones with a comparatively high share of rye in the mashbill tend to attract a devoted following.
Though there’s no set rule on what constitutes a high-rye bourbon, they typically contain anywhere from 20% to 35% rye, giving them that extra dose of spice, heat, and bite. Those seeking to look at rye in a different light—or who find bourbon too sweet—should consider a high-rye bourbon for their next dram; below, we’ve rounded up some recent favorites.
10 High Rye Bourbons
94  Peerless High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 55.3%,  $160
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: undisclosed, but it’s more than twice that...

A shake-up in the American whiskey world went down earlier this week, when it was announced that Rob Dietrich—formerly master distiller at Stranahan's—is taking on the role of master distiller and blender at Blackened, the whiskey brand co-founded by Metallica and the late, great Dave Pickerell. Dietrich has big shoes to fill, and we look forward to watching his progress.In the meantime, there's plenty of new whisky to look for now. Basil Hayden's has released its latest boundary-crossing expression, a blend of rye whiskeys and rum. Basil Hayden's Caribbean Reserve Rye is available for a limited time, priced at $45.Macallan is adding a new whisky to its core lineup. Made from barley grown on the distillery's Easter Elchies estate, Macallan Estate has a price of $250 and will be widely available.Tyrconnell has unveiled a single malt finished in casks that previously held both oloroso sherry and moscatel wine. Tyrconell Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish 16 year old is available in...

Rock and rye is every bit as peculiar as its name portends—a blend of citrus and rye whiskey sweetened with crystallized sugar, sometimes known as rock candy. But what's even more unlikely is the sudden surge of interest in this whiskey liqueur with 19th-century roots. Spawned by the introduction of Hochstadter's Slow & Low in 2013, more rock and rye revivals are joining the ranks of the few remaining holdouts, like Leroux, Mr. Boston, and Jacquin's.
Oddly enough, rock and rye's first role was as medicine. By the late 1870s, virtually every pharmacy in the nation was stocking their shelves with some proprietary recipe, often promoted as a sort of cough syrup. As a medicine, rock and rye was taxed at a lower rate than liquor, adding to the potential profit. In 1883, the drink was finally reclassified as a distilled spirit. According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau definition, rock and rye has a minimum 25.5% alcohol by volume, must be made with rye...

Knob Creek age statements are returning with a vengeance, as many of us can remember the days of 2009 when Knob Creek ran out of aged juice altogether. Of course, Knob Creek was hardly the only one caught off guard by the whisky boom—the years between 2010 and 2020 were filled with non-age statement releases and other measures as distillers scrambled to meet demand. Now, thankfully, the age-statement whiskey scene appears to be back in full bloom.
Elsewhere Crown Royal is getting into the single malt act, which adds another big distiller to a space, once the province of craft distillers. The space now also includes Jack Daniel’s, and Jim Beam. Can Heaven Hill be far behind?
Lots more is doing, including a high-proof bottling from the rapidly rising Green River Distillery, whose Owensboro, Kentucky distillery received 10,000 visitors last year. Quietly inserted in the most recent new product information from Kentucky’s Frank August was news that Potter Jane...

New whiskies this week truly run the gamut from Irish blends to craft rye, with ages ranging from 8 months to 18 years.Jameson is launching The Blender's Dog in the U.S. The whiskey is part of Jameson's Whiskey Makers Series, which celebrates the different crafts that go into producing a finished whiskey. In Winter 2016, the Blender's Dog was rated alongside the other two whiskeys in the line, The Cooper's Croze and The Distiller's Safe (all were available in Europe first)—and The Blender's Dog outshined its siblings with a 90-point rating. It should be easy to find on store shelves.Other new Irish whiskeys this week include Prizefight, a blend sourced from West Cork Distillers and finished in American rye barrels from New Hampshire's Tamworth Distillery. There's also a sourced Irish blend bottled under the Bogart Drinks label, which celebrates—you guessed it—Humphrey Bogart.Speaking of American rye, Redemption is releasing its oldest whiskey to date, an 18 year old rye that was...

WHERE IT’S FROM
American whiskey comes in many forms. Bourbon, the most recognized type of American whiskey, can be produced only in the United States, but—contrary to popular belief—does not have to be produced in Kentucky, though most of it is. Tennessee whiskey, however, must be made in Tennessee.
Rye whiskey, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily have to be made in the United States; it’s also widely produced in Canada (see Instant Expert: Canadian Whisky for more information), and elsewhere. Rye that’s made in America is American whiskey, but rye made elsewhere is not.
WHAT IT’S MADE OF
American Whiskey
The United States requires all whiskey to be produced from a fermented mash of grain. Specific categories of whiskey have more exacting requirements.
Bourbon
Bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, although it often contains substantially...

Other distillers have done it, but Knob Creek never blended its bourbon and rye whiskeys for any of its expressions—until this summer’s launch of Bourbon X Rye, a blend of 9 year old bourbon and 7 year old rye. The final product was formulated by James B. Beam father/son master distillers Fred and Freddie Noe (Knob Creek is part of Beam) with the goal of finding the perfect bourbon-rye balance. But it isn’t a straightforward 1:1 mix of the two whiskeys, instead it plays far more heavily into its rye component, which accounts for 70% of the blend.
A precursor for Bourbon x Rye can be found in another Beam-owned whiskey, Basil Hayden’s Two by Two Rye, a bourbon/rye blend released in July 2018. But the new Knob Creek blend has two whiskeys, whereas Basil Hayden’s was a blend of four.  There’s also a tighter age range for Bourbon x Rye: It’s 7–9 years old compared to Basil Hayden’s 5–13 years. In terms of similarities...

Rye is a whisky made from at least 51% rye, right? While that might be simple enough in the U.S., European whisky made from rye has just become a whole lot more complicated. A long-overlooked 2003 agreement between the EU and Canada states that apart from U.S.-made rye, the only “rye whisky” allowed in the EU is Canadian. European rye, which largely didn’t exist when that agreement was made, suddenly finds itself in crisis, with producers rushing to redesign labels, edit their messaging, and contact their political and legal representatives.
The Rise of European Rye Whisky
In recent years, European distillers have been some of the whisky world’s most acclaimed rye makers. This isn’t surprising to anyone from northern Europe, where rye is integral to culture, food, and now drink. Indeed, European immigrants from Germany and elsewhere are widely credited for popularizing the grain in North America in the first place. More recently, rye whisky...

Rye whiskey is having a moment, with dedicated bourbon drinkers finding a spicier substitute for their Old Fashioneds and neat pours in recent years. While the two styles make logical stateside neighbors, rye is not bound by borders. In fact, the spirit has deep Canadian roots, with some American producers relying on imports to add age and profile to their blends. Get to know the world of Canadian rye, from the conventional producers to the craftier come-ups.Traditional ProducersCanada's large distillers, with their expertise and long history of distilling rye whiskies, are able to offer impressive values.Lot No. 40—94 points, $40Fragrant lilacs, candied dark fruits, sour rye bread, wet slate, and dusty grain. Sweet vanilla with spicy cloves, hot ginger, faint tannins, and piney mango, softened by anise.J.P. Wiser's Triple Barrel Rye—92 points, $20A spicy beauty with linseed oil, German rye bread, rose water, blazing cayenne, and a whack of rye spices. Peppery heat, creamy cereal...

There are limited days left in February, and limited releases headline this week’s new whiskies.First up, Buffalo Trace is releasing Blanton's Gold Edition in the U.S. The bourbon was previously only available internationally, but starting this summer it will be stateside and priced at $120.Barrell is unveiling its latest batch of rye. This cask-strength blend of straight ryes from Canada, Indiana, Poland, and Tennessee is priced at $90.Sagamore Spirit has a new limited-edition rye of its own, finished in calvados barrels and priced at $69.Kentucky Peerless has teamed up with Copper & Kings American Brandy Co. to release a single barrel rye finished in absinthe barrels. Priced at $129, this limited-edition release is available in both Peerless and Copper & Kings gift shops, as well as at select retailers.Taylor Garrett is releasing a whiskey distilled from bourbon mash that was aged alternatively, a process the distillery refers to as "accelerated aging." The whiskey is...

Who doesn’t like apples? The ripe, luscious peach is now a distant memory of summer, and so it’s apple season—meaning fresh apples, apple pie, and perhaps even a warm spicy rye finished in apple brandy casks. Hudson Rye Calvados Cask Finish is 7 year old whiskey first aged in new oak before a long, secondary maturation in calvados casks from Normandy, France. 
Meanwhile, we're pleased to see that Castle & Key is out with another branded expression, this one a wheated bourbon. We all were very excited when restoration began on this historic distillery back in 2014, forgetting that the process would take a while. In the ensuing years, Castle & Key was relying exclusively on contract distilling, but its first whiskey under the Castle & Key name finally appeared in 2022. Slowly but surely, Castle & Key is starting to develop a true portfolio of expressions.
Uncle Nearest, having already built a successful...

The whisky scene was abuzz this week about the story of Mary Dowling, and the release of two whiskeys bearing her name. Dowling (1859-1930) was a distillery owner, entrepreneur, accused bootlegger, and all-around brilliant businesswoman with one of the most remarkable careers in whisky history (see below). She's perhaps best noted for relocating her entire distilling operation down to Juarez, Mexico during the Prohibition years, outsmarting the law and her competitors. Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian of Louisville has created two whiskeys under the Mary Dowling name to honor her legacy. While the announcement is not quite accurate in saying that Dowling's story has never been told—she was featured in Fred Minnick's 2013 book Whiskey Women, among other places—dedicating whiskeys to her name is a home run of an idea. We haven't tasted the whiskeys yet, and we certainly hope they...

With one of Japan's most legendary distilleries being revived, there'll soon be new whisky on the way—but we don't have to wait. Plenty of bottles are hitting shelves right now!First up, GlenDronach is launching a new expression of Port Wood as part of its core lineup. The whisky is priced at $90 and widely available.Jack Daniel's has announced its 2020 limited-edition single barrel, this year a barrel-proof rye. Priced at $65, the whiskey is available in limited amounts.The Spot Whiskeys range has a new member, Blue Spot, a 7 year old cask-strength single pot still whiskey. U.S. pricing hasn't yet been set, but it will likely be around $95, with the whiskey widely available.Heaven Hill has bottled a 13 year old single-barrel bourbon to celebrate its 85th anniversary. The whiskey is extremely limited, with just 146 bottles for sale mainly at the visitor center, and priced at $300.Chicken Cock is releasing its oldest whiskey to date, a 15 year old bourbon. Priced at $300, there are...

Thanksgiving is next week, and with it comes a prime opportunity to share some drams with family and friends. While we’ve previously covered the best cocktails and crowd-pleasers to serve when hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, or how to best optimize particular whisky styles, this year we compiled a list of American whiskeys that are sure to please longtime whisky lovers and newer fans alike. Cheers to the start of the holiday season, and happy sipping! 
With the holidays now upon us, the onslaught of new whiskies is in full swing. This week, there's a new finished rye from Kentucky Peerless, a bourbon and a rum cask-finished rye from Kentucky Owl, and a new collaborative blend from High West and The Prisoner Wine Co. Read on for full details.

Kentucky Peerless Double Oak 
Style: Finished rye Origin: Kentucky Age: Not stated ABV: 54.65% Price: $150 Release: November 2022 Availability: Limited
Need to...

Memorial Day is on Monday, May 28, and if you're looking to show your support of our nation's armed services through whisky, look into some of the distilleries founded and run by veterans. You may just find your new favorite bourbon, rye, or corn whiskey.Or check out this week's newest whiskies. Smooth Ambler has unveiled Big Level, a 5 year old wheated bourbon made entirely at the West Virginia Distllery. Smooth Ambler had previously released a wheater, and this whiskey is made with the same mashbill, process, and barrels, but, according to director of sales John Foster, the team has "gotten better at divining the best of our own-make." Big Level—which is named for the area of West Virginia where Smooth Ambler is located—is 100 proof and costs $55. It's distributed in around 26 states currently.Next up, Old Carter Whiskey Co. is rolling out its second batch of rye, after Batch 1 (released in early March) sold out. Founded by Mark and Sherri Carter—who were previously partners...

The torrent of new whiskies continues, and the many highlights include the return of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, the eleventh release in this annual series from High West Distillery in Utah. The High West annual releases were always among the most anticipated bottlings of the year, and fans were disappointed a few years ago when High West discontinued another cherished annual affair, Yippee Ki Yay. But Midwinter lives on, and we’ll have to see whether this year’s expression can still capture the old magic.
Elsewhere, there’s a new edition of Benriach Malting Season, the third release in the annual series that celebrates Scotland’s long history of floor malting. There’s a touch of romance in seeing a distillery’s floor maltings—alas, only eight whisky makers in Scotland still use this very enchanting (and very expensive) process. Benriach is one of them. Elsewhere from Scotland, young distiller Torabhaig from the Isle of...

Whisky Advocate’s Summer 2021 issue hit the newsstands this week, featuring the latest on Ireland’s whiskey renaissance, a look at Japan’s distillers under the country’s new classification guidelines, and a tour of heavy metal rockers who are making whiskey in collaboration with craft distillers. There’s also a feature on home whisky rooms and the folks who’ve created these elaborate spaces. Pick up a copy of our Summer issue today, or order a subscription here.This week’s new releases include a single barrel rye from Old Forester, a 13 year old bourbon from Wild Turkey, a light and sweet single malt from Glenmorangie, a pair of single barrel whiskeys from WhistlePig, and more. Read on for full details.

Old Forester Barrel Strength Single Barrel Rye
Style: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: VariesPrice: $80Release: June 2021Availability: Limited
Need to know:
After introducing its straight rye in 2019, Old...

For all those great Kentucky ryes you love to sip, virtually all the rye grains come from outside the Bluegrass State. Rye output in Kentucky is tiny, because this cold weather crop tends to wilt in the heat and humidity. The local rye is used mainly as a cover crop that’s planted between the harvests of Kentucky’s two dominant grains, corn and soybeans. There are a handful of small exceptions to this—Wilderness Trail uses local Heritage rye for its bottled in bond rye, and Heaven Hill has worked with local farmers since 2016 using cover crop rye for distillation and cultivating Heritage rye strains. For the vast majority of production, however, Kentucky’s distillers must look elsewhere for their rye supply, mainly to Canada and Europe.
But can rye become a more widespread Kentucky crop? Woodford Reserve certainly hopes so. About five years ago it embarked on the beginnings of a plan to develop rye as a Kentucky grain, launching a research partnership with...

It's a big week for whisky! Jack Daniel's is launching a new, permanent rye whiskey. Jack fans may remember seeing and tasting the Unaged Rye and Rested Rye that the distillery released in the last few years, as well as Single Barrel Rye, which will still be available. The new rye whiskey is the culmination of those early releases, which came from Jack Daniel's first new mashbill in over 150 years.Also new this week: The Macallan Edition No. 3, a limited-edition whisky that highlights the aromatic qualities of single malt scotch. Meanwhile, Highland Park Magnus is debuting, part of the distillery's new U.S. lineup. You may recall that Highland Park began rolling out new packaging in June, while also discontinuing some whiskies—Dark Origins and 15 year old—and introducing others. Magnus is coming in with no age statement, priced at $40 a bottle, and will be a permanent part of the range.Back to rye: Michter's has unveiled US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, which is just what it...

What a week for new releases! There’s no shortage of new whiskies as we transition from summer into fall, and they range from highly allocated collectible single malts and experimental limited editions to widely available permanent expressions.
Scotch lovers have plenty to be excited about, with new malts and blends coming from all over the country. Laphroaig has debuted the third edition of its experimental Elements series; Single Cask Nation has bottled three new single malts; Buchanan’s has added a luxurious new blend; and Johnnie Walker has launched a limited-edition Blue Label bottle and box that celebrates the Indian festive season. In bourbon, there’s cask finishes galore. Both Barton 1792 and Hirsch have introduced cognac-finished bourbons, while Widow Jane is back with its maple syrup-finished Decadence, and Steph Curry’s Gentleman’s Cut has a Pedro Ximénez sherry-finished bourbon, made in collaboration with chef José...

Bottled in bond bourbons have made a huge splash recently—take Whisky Advocate's 2019 Whisky of the Year George Dickel 13 year old Bottled in Bond, for example. Bottled in bond whiskeys aren't limited to just bourbon, though. As long as the whiskey—or any other spirit, like brandy—is produced according to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, it can be labeled as such.A bottled in bond whiskey must be produced in a single distilling season by a single distiller, aged in a U.S. bonded warehouse for a minimum of 4 years, and bottled at 50% ABV. Any style of whiskey can be bonded as long as it meets those regulations—and to that point, many bottled in bond ryes have emerged over the last few years. One of those ryes, New Riff Bottled in Bond, even made our 2019 Top 20, earning the No.-17 spot.While the whiskeys on this list share many qualities due to bottled in bond regulations, and the fact that most are rye, there's also rich variety represented. These bottles hail from several...

Updated 9/30/25: Wyoming Whiskey's Buffalo Bill Cody (see details below), originally released as a Wyoming exclusive, is now available nationwide. The ABV is 48%, compared to the Wyoming-only release's 48.5%.
A mixture of bourbons, ryes, and American blends leads the week’s new releases. High West brings back its The Prisoner Wine Co. red wine-finished blend of bourbon and rye, while Penelope has a blend that includes straight bourbon, American single malt, and American light whiskey. Woodinville has upped the age on its flagship rye, while 15 Stars introduces its oldest blend of rye yet; new bourbons include the fourth chapter of Castle & Key’s Untold Story series, a wheater from Great Jones, and a tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody from Wyoming Whiskey. Overseas, Tomatin, Loch Lomond, and Gordon & MacPhail all have new single malt scotch whiskies.
 
High West The Prisoner’s Share (2025 Edition) American blend
ABV: 51%
SRP: $175

Old Overholt rye has had a steady presence on the bottom shelf of your local liquor store for decades, its founder's face glaring at you from the label of every bottle—but it wasn't always that way. In fact, Old Overholt was, at one time, one of the most respected and highly regarded whiskeys in the United States, said to have once been the preferred tipple of notables like Ulysses S. Grant and John Henry “Doc” Holliday. It is the only American whiskey brand that retains undeniable ties to the “Old Monongahela” (muh-non-guh-HAY-luh) style of rye.So how did this once-lauded whiskey go from top of the heap to bottom-shelf bottle? It all started over 200 years ago.Learn what makes Old Monongahela rye unique and where you can find it todayThe Oberholtzer family, headed by patriarch Henry, left Bucks County, Pennsylvania in 1800 and, after a six-month journey over the Allegheny Mountains in covered wagons, settled on the western frontier. Their 263-acre farm was located in a...

Rye Whiskey is Back and Better Than Ever In many ways, rye was the whiskey that built America. The original northeastern colonies, most notably Pennsylvania and Maryland, were the epicenter of rye whiskey production, akin to Kentucky today for bourbon. Unfortunately, Prohibition largely killed the booming rye industry. By the time Americans were drinking again, whiskey production had shifted south, and bourbon was now the spirit of choice. Many credit the modern cocktail renaissance for leading rye's return. Rediscovered pre-Prohibition cocktails are complemented by a spicy rye whisky, and, thus the nation's top mixologists started calling for more rye expressions. Some whiskeys, like Old Overholt, a bartender's favorite, had never gone off the market—even during Prohibition when it was considered a “medicinal” spirit. (Alas, that's no longer the case.) Others, like Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey and Basil Hayden's Dark Rye, are newer offerings, designed to slake the thirst...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! If you're looking to celebrate with an Irish whiskey, we've got you covered. This list captures all of the current excitement around Irish whiskey, with a new 100% rye from Powers, an affordable single pot still from The Busker, a showcase of Ireland's terroir from Waterford, and much more. And lest you think Irish whiskey is meant only for March, the style is showing sustained growth, with shipments to our shores rising by 28% last year to a whopping 72 million bottles.
In other whisky news, Uncle Nearest is opening a new experiential space dedicated to elevated drinks, food, and live music on its Tennessee campus; Michter's is adding new barrel houses and running additional distillation to increase availability; and Oak & Eden has announced that six of its permanent whiskeys are now kosher certified. As for new whiskies this week, Jack Daniel's is bringing back its 10 year old Tennessee whiskey and...

While rye whiskey doesn't have the same unique national identity that bourbon does, its identity is just as rooted in American history. First made in the northeastern U.S. in the colonial era, rye whiskey allowed farmers to turn excess grains into a shelf-stable, valuable trade good—that is, if they didn't drink it themselves. Rye was as popular as bourbon for decades, but largely fell out of favor post-Prohibition. With the arrival of the cocktail renaissance over the past two decades, a renewed interest in the spirit has blossomed, and distilleries both large and small have accommodated the demand with a flood of new ryes.Other countries, most notably Canada, make their own versions of rye, but these don't always use much (or sometimes any) rye grain. In America, rye whiskey must have a mashbill that is at least 51% rye, which makes for a spirit that is typically less sweet than bourbon, and a lot spicier. Rye is often enjoyable from a fairly young age—Kentucky Peerless's 2 year...

It's a big weekend on the American whiskey auction scene, as Chicago-based Hart Davis Hart (HDH) has commenced live bidding on its Finest & Rarest Spirits sale, which started earlier this morning and ends tomorrow. Of the 2,800 lots available, 2,189 are American whiskeys. HDH expects the total value of the American lots to reach between $1.9 million and $3 million, which would bring the highest value yet for an American whiskey sale. See the big-ticket items here.Of course, there are plenty of new whiskies to try—ones that are valued at quite a bit less than those! Kentucky Owl has added a new rye under The Wiseman label, Basil Hayden debuts a subtly smoky bourbon, and Compass Box introduces a new blended whisky that's evocative of old books. Read on for full details.Kentucky Owl Wiseman RyeStyle: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 50.4%Price: $60Release: March 2022Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This whiskey is made with a mashbill of 95% rye.Whisky Advocate...

Change is in the air, and we aren't just talking about the seasons. Major brands are losing some of their top whiskey makers, as distillers and blenders are leaving corporate comforts to create a legacy of their own. We spoke to Jane Bowie and Denny Potter, formerly of Maker's Mark, and Jackie Zykan, formerly of Old Forester, about their decisions to forge their own paths and the whiskeys we can expect from them in the future.As for whiskies you can search for now, there are plenty to choose from this week. Wild Turkey adds to its Master's Keep line with Unforgotten, while Maker's Mark unveils the latest release in its stave finishing series, a pair of whiskeys labeled BRT-01 and 02. As for single malt scotch, Benriach is bringing back its limited Smoke and Malting Season whiskies. We also covered the 2022 Diageo Special Releases, dubbed the "Elusive Expressions," earlier this week. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten
Style: Blend of...

If you were a spirits drinker in Canada during the 1970s and ‘80s, chances are high that you drank "rye." This is not the same as saying that you were drinking straight rye whisky, for the odds are pretty high that you were not. Rather, the simple fact was that during these decades, and for a fair time both before and after, Canadians routinely and uniformly referred to their nation’s whisky as "rye," regardless of how much of that grain it might have contained.
Order a whisky and soda or whisky and ginger ale back then and you would be poured blended Scotch. Order a ‘rye’, and you’d get your choice of Canadian Club, Black Velvet, Silk Tassel, or if you felt like splashing out, Crown Royal.
The broad characteristics of these Canadian whiskies were that they boasted uniformly soft, innocuous flavor profiles and contained very little rye. In fact, unless your favored brand came from Alberta Distillers, which was the only Canadian distillery back...

Among the American whiskey releases this week, Angel's Envy, which rose to fame on its barrel-finished expressions, now has a new tequila cask-finished rye, and Washington State's Woodinville Whiskey has a new tequila cask-finished bourbon. Barrell has unveiled its first full-proof bourbon, bottled at 61.5%, while Maryland rye specialist Sagamore Spirit is out with the annual edition of its Cask Strength rye. New Riff, best known for its bottled in bond bourbons and ryes, is back with another release of its American single malt. This is New Riff's first single malt release since 2023, and it contains liquid that's 10 years old, dating back to its founding days. There's also new whiskey from Chicken Cock and Calumet Farm, as well as an unaged expression from California's Sespe Creek, where ex-Laphroaig master distiller John Campbell now creates the whiskeys since joining the company last year.
Angel’s Envy Cellar...

High-rye whisky is enjoying a revival in Canada, led by releases from Lot No. 40, Canadian Club, Crown Royal, and Alberta Distillers Limited, as well as craft distillers. Many of these robust whiskies are now findin shelf space in U.S. retail shops. Of course, some of this good stuff has been crossing the border for years, even if its Canadian provenance isn’t always so evident.
If you’ve enjoyed Masterson’s, Lock Stock & Barrel, or WhistlePig, then you’re likely a fan of Al berta Distillers Limited. That’s because until recently, ADL, as it’s known, has focused most of its business on distilling and ma turing rye for other labels. Lately it has turned to making its own brands, although unbeknownst to many, ADL’s Alberta Premium has long been the world’s best-selling all-rye whisky.
Canadians have always nicknamed their whisky “rye,” regardless of its mashbill, but most Canadian distilleries produce some high...

While the ocean-matured Irish single malt from Glendalough Distillery is still months from bottling—if it's successfully rescued, that is—there are new whiskies ready right now.Jim Rutledge, who was formerly master distiller at Four Roses, has come out of retirement to open a new distillery and launch new whiskeys. While that project, called J.W. Rutledge Distillery, is in the works, he's reviving the historic Cream of Kentucky brand using sourced whiskey. The 51% ABV, 11 ½ year old straight bourbon is available now in a handful of states for $150.Virginia's Copper Fox Distillery is relaunching its packaging and debuting a new whiskey. Copper Fox Sassy single malt rye is made from 100% malted rye and aged in ex-bourbon barrels with new and used oak and apple wood chips. It's bottled at 45% ABV and widely available for $57.Finally, Dillon's Small Batch Distillers of Ontario is bringing its Three Oaks rye to the U.S. for the first time. The 43% ABV whisky is made with 100%...

Our Spring issue is all about rye, a whiskey that seems to increase in popularity with each passing day. Take it as a sign of the times that Wild Turkey's next limited-edition Master's Keep is the first rye whiskey in the collection. Wild Turkey Master's Keep Cornerstone Rye is priced at $175 and will hit shelves in August. There are 15,000 bottles available.Meanwhile, The Last Drop is rolling out two single casks of Glenrothes distilled in 1969. Just 271 bottles of the nearly-50 year old whisky are available, priced at $6,250.More widely available are new bourbons from Bardstown Bourbon Co. (BBC), including the first whiskey that includes the distillery's own straight bourbon. Fusion Series #1 combines sourced 11 year old Kentucky straight bourbon with 2 year old wheated and high-rye bourbons distilled at BBC and costs $60. Meanwhile, Discovery Series #1 blends four Kentucky straight bourbons, ranging in age from 5 to 11 years, and costs $130. Finally, Collaboration Series #1...

Booker's is out with its second release of the year, while Elijah Craiig makes a splash during this quiet summer season with its new toasted barrel rye. Jack Daniel's is now on the 13th iteration in its Distillery Series, the experimental annual releases that give the distilling team a chance to tinker with new ideas. This one has Jack Daniel's rye getting a secondary maturation in a new oak barrel. As with the other whiskeys in the Distillery Series, it's being sold only at the Jack Daniel's Distillery gift shop and at selected Tennessee retailers, so enjoy it if you get the chance. From Scotland, single malt whisky Aultmore, which is one of the malts in Dewar's blended scotch stable, gets to shine on its own with the release of 4 cask finished expressions. Elsewhere, Three Chord's Backstage Series, which partners with rock brands, is now live with an Allman Brothers whiskey, while Seattle-based Copperworks has three new American single...

Old Forester is a bourbon distiller, first and foremost. Founded in 1870, it didn’t release its first rye until nearly 150 years later, in 2019, using an old recipe from a now-defunct rye brand called Normandy rye (of 65% rye, 20% malted barley, and 15% corn) that it had acquired in 1940. Over the years, the Old Forester rye portfolio has seen the additions of cask strength and single barrel versions, but the distillery had never tried its hand at a bottled in bond (BIB) version—until now.
The BIB rye is part of Old Forester’s 117 Series, which gets its name from Old Forester’s former address of 117 West Main Street in Louisville, where it did business from 1892 to 1919, right next door to Old Forester’s current Whiskey Row venue, which is at number 119. (The majority of Old Forester’s whiskey today is produced at the much larger distillery on Dixie Highway in Louisville.)
This new bonded rye is in keeping with the original...

Once you've amassed a collection of whisky, how are you going to show it off? These whisky lovers have dedicated entire rooms to their collections, modeling them after a library, speakeasy, and 20th century hotel. Get started on your own whisky room with these tips.As for new whiskies to add to your stash, there's a wide variety out this week. Michter's has unveiled the 2022 edition of its US1* barrel strength rye, Heaven Hill adds to the Old Fitzgerald lineup with a 17 year old bourbon, Stranahan's and Balcones have new versions of familiar single malts, and Barrell Craft Spirits continues its series of blended straight bourbons with Batch 032. Read on for full details.Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye (2022)Style: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 55.8%Price: $100Release: March 2022Availability: LimitedNeed to know:As with previous releases of Barrel Strength Rye, this whiskey is bottled as a single barrel product, so while the average proof is 111.6%, it varies...

Pennsylvania is the cradle of American whiskey making, ruling the American landscape in the 19th century with many hundreds of distilleries. Like Kentucky, the Keystone State had a mix of large and small producers, many of them started by farmer-distillers. But unlike Kentucky, very few of them were making bourbon. Rye was king in Pennsylvania, especially in the Monongahela (muh-non-ga-HEY-luh) River valley in the southwestern part of the state.
Revolutionary War veteran John Large started distilling rye whiskey on the Monongahela (Mon) tributary of Peters Creek in 1796—and brought in his son Jonathan as well. Jonathan was succeeded by his son Henry, and the Large family distillery became renowned for its high-quality rye, eventually winning 10 gold medals at expositions from Paris in 1900 to Rio de Janeiro in 1923. Large also had the distinction of being the last distillery to operate in the Mon Valley, closing around 1956.
Thomas Bell founded a distillery at Freeport...

New whisky abounds from all across America this week—plus a couple of scotches.First up, Ardbeg’s annual limited-edition bottling has been revealed. Ardbeg Grooves includes whisky matured in red wine barrels with heavily charred, grooved staves, which allow for increased wood contact. As in years past, the whisky is first available to Ardbeg Committee members outside the U.S. at a higher proof, with a 46% ABV version rolling out to coincide with Ardbeg Day (this year on June 2nd).Several new craft whiskeys are launching. Colorado’s Woody Creek Distillers is debuting its first bourbon, a 4 year old whiskey that will be widely available wherever Woody Creek is sold. Also four years old: a new bottled in bond rye whiskey from Spirit Works Distillery in Sebastopol, California. We tip our hats to craft distillers that can release 4 year old whiskey!Not yet 4 years old, but still on theme: Pennington Distilling Co. in Nashville has a new "four-grain" whiskey that blends its bourbon...

While there’s a plentiful crop of new whiskies out this week, news of Jim Beam’s Fred B. Noe Distillery opening means that Beam will be able to experiment more freely, as the new facility will be a place for distiller Freddie Noe to work on his Little Book releases and additional projects, including an American single malt. Learn more about Beam’s new Clermont, Kentucky distillery and find out what Freddie has planned for the future.As for whiskies on shelves right now (or coming relatively soon), Metallica-owned Blackened has teamed up with Willett Distillery on a rye finished in madeira casks, Four Roses has released details on its 2021 Limited Edition Small Batch, and Barrell has a new 15 year old Gray Label bourbon. Read on for full details.Blackened x Willett Kentucky Straight RyeStyle: Finished rye
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 54.8%
Price: $140
Release: August 2021
Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is the first release in Blackened’s Masters of...

Bourbons, blends, and compelling finishes set the tone for this week's new whiskies. The year's second batch of Booker's is here, blending whiskeys from seven different production dates that aged in eight separate warehouses. Peerless has debuted the second iteration of its Toasted Rye, which aged first in new oak before being finished in barrels with a medium toast. From Bardstown Bourbon Co. comes the latest Distillery Reserve Series release, this one a blend of bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskey finished in mizunara oak; World Whiskey Society has gone with a different Japanese finish for its new bourbon, putting it in shochu casks. Castle & Key, Wheel Horse, and Rebel each have new bourbons, while Uncle Nearest unveils its newest Master Blend. Rounding out the U.S. contingent are an imperial stout cask-finished straight rye from Old Potrero, a new single cask American single malt from Copperworks, and a Kentucky whiskey aged in Scotland from...

Barrell is back with two releases in its ultra-aged Grey Label series, a bourbon and a rye, the latter being a blend of two whiskies with 100% rye mashbills from an undisclosed Canadian distiller (most likely Alberta Distillers, which is known for its high rye mashbills.) That Canadian entry is the only non-U.S. whiskey on today’s list, which also includes a new 7 year old, high-rye expression from Baker’s—a welcome new addition for Baker's fans, who always want more from this somewhat sparsely available label. Louisville distiller Rabbit Hole, meanwhile, has a limited edition 8 year old rye from its Boxergrail label.
Elsewhere, Blue Note is offering a new honey barrel expression, while Log Still Distillery has a new rye, and Lost Lantern is out with a new collection of 10 year old single cask whiskeys.  Although Halloween and Thanksgiving still await, some whiskey makers are already unveiling their holiday whiskeys. Old Potrero...

Although the year is winding down, there are still new whiskies to be had.Retired hockey star Ed Belfour has partnered with Southern Distilling in North Carolina to produce the first whiskeys in the Belfour Spirits line. The bourbon and rye are each priced at $89, with availability in Texas and Illinois for now.Fashion house Tommy Bahama is launching a new line of spirits, including whiskey, under the banner of Coral Cay Distilling. Made in Washington, Tommy Bahama straight bourbon ($100) and rye with blended rum ($45) are available in a few states to start, with expansion planned.Finally, Brain Brew Distilling of Ohio is launching its WoodCraft Spirits line in the UK. While sold as whiskey in the U.S., these aren't considered as such overseas, as they're not aged at least three years. The WoodCraft line uses Brain Brew's alternative aging technology to impart barrel characteristics more quickly. Priced at £40 to £50, the four spirits are rolling out in the UK, and are also...

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...

On June 24, 1889, on Main Street in Telluride, Colorado, Butch Cassidy robbed his very first bank. Skiing had not come to town yet, but whiskey certainly had, and the famed outlaw was known to partake. The story goes that he holed up in the tiny nearby mining hamlet of Dunton Hot Springs, where he carved his name into the bar of the town’s saloon. Dunton became a ghost town, but was purchased in 1994 and the entire town and its Old West buildings were transformed into one of the nation’s most luxurious all-inclusive boutique resorts. Today the saloon is the resort’s main bar, and Dunton Hot Springs has a nice selection of scotch and bourbon, and guests can sit at the bar etched with Cassidy’s signature for a dram. The house label is George Dickel, an old case of which was discovered beneath the floor during renovation. The owner took this as a sign and now leaves a bottle out in the library for guests to enjoy at their leisure. That’s taking après...

Suddenly it's quite a time for aged whiskies, at least compared to the past 10 or 15 years. The days of drastic shortages and non-age statement releases have faded as whisky inventories swing back into full supply—and possible oversupply going forward. But putting industry prognostications aside, what we know for sure is that it's all good news for people who appreciate fine whisky, because there are more aged whiskeys that weren't available only a short time ago. Knob Creek is back once again with its 18 year old, while Sagamore has a 7 year old Bottled in Bond, as does Brother's Bond. The most sought-after labels are still offering their best aged expressions in fairly limited fashion, but it's still a noticeable change from previous years, and a great opportunity to try some new—or should we say old—whiskies.
Orphan Barrel Woven Honor 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch 
ABV: 46.3%
SRP: $185

Bourbon may be America's native spirit, but rye was famous first, dominating the national market until the mid-19th century. When Prohibition shut down America's thriving whiskey industry, rye's popularity sank. But over the last couple decades, rye whiskey has come roaring back thanks in large part to the cocktail renaissance.Rye is a traditional flavoring grain in both American and Canadian whiskies and often adds a punch of spice, even when used in small amounts. In the U.S., rye whiskey must have at least 51% rye in its mashbill, resulting in a spirit that's less sweet than bourbon, with bold aromas and flavors. And because rye often reaches maturity quicker than bourbon, even new distilleries can produce superb bottlings.Whisky Advocate's Summer 2020 Buying Guide offers reviews of more than 130 whiskies, including over a dozen ryes. From cask-strength offerings to innovative cask finishes—plus the first taste of the newly revamped Old Overholt—there's a whiskey for just about...

It’s Father’s Day weekend, and earlier in the week we posted a piece that covered a wide range of Father's Day gift choices to suit nearly every dad. We follow here with an array of new whiskeys, many of which could also be in the running—notably a just-released Father’s Day Bourbon Collection from Woodford Reserve. Among other noteworthy new items, Old Forester is offering a new batch of its President’s Choice single barrel bourbon, while Blue Run is back with Flight Series II, featuring six micro-batch whiskeys. Texas whiskey maker Still Austin has a summer release of its Bottled in Bond red corn, and the Penelope Cooper Series has a new release of its bourbon finished in grenache rosé wine casks from the Southern Rhône.
For scotch lovers, the U.S. Open golf championship is in full swing this weekend, and Dewar’s is out with this year’s release of its 19 year old Champion’s Edition...

Whiskey is any distilled spirit that is made from grain and aged in wood. There are many different whiskey styles, usually identified with their country of origin.In the United States the national spirit is bourbon, a type of whiskey that contains at least 51% corn and is aged in oak barrels that are both new and charred on the inside. ‘Charred' means ‘burnt.' ‘New' means the barrels cannot have been previously used—and they cannot be used again to make bourbon—but they aren't discarded. Most used bourbon barrels are sold to distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada. Most American-made brandy is aged in used bourbon barrels. So are some rums and tequilas.The specifications for rye whiskey are the same as for bourbon except rye, not corn, must be the predominant grain in the mash. The other difference is that while most bourbons are 70 to 80 percent corn, many ryes are ‘barely legal' at 51 percent rye. That means they contain a lot of corn too, which is good because it...

In case you missed Whisky Advocate's exclusive reports: New whiskeys are on the way from the likes of country star Lee Greenwood, Brough Brothers, and Kentucky's most mysterious producer. Though we'll have to wait a bit for those, there are new whiskies available now.First up, a new 100% rye made at Kentucky Artisan Distillery is launching. Coalition rye includes three wine cask-finished variants (all $90) and a barrel-proof straight rye ($130). The whiskeys are available in several states.The Isle of Skye's second distillery, Torabhaig, is making its debut with Legacy Series 2017 single malt. The scotch whisky is priced at $60, with 6,000 bottles available in the U.S.Lock, Stock & Barrel rye is back with a 20 year old offering, its oldest yet. There are 3,000 bottles available, priced at $389.The Family Jones in Colorado is set to offer a bottled in bond rye whose distillation and bottling dates are exactly four years apart—Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. There are just 380 bottles...

Today's new releases are a limited bunch, kicking off with Bulleit 12 year old rye—a re-release of a 2019 whiskey that sees Bulleit pulling from older MGP barrels. The American contingent is also present with the next installment in Four Gate's Kelvin Collaboration series, a rye mash expression from Old Potrero, as well as a new collaborative whiskey from Quest's End. Over in Scotland, Ardbeg is gearing up for the annual Ardbeg Day with a special finished blend.
Bulleit 12 year old Rye
ABV: 46%
SRP: $55
Availability: Limited 
Bulleit 12 year old Rye isn’t brand new—the whiskey was first introduced in 2019, and discontinued shortly thereafter due to supply. This reprise features the same 95% rye, 5% malted barley mashbill (which is also the mashbill of Bulleit’s flagship rye), and like its predecessor, it too was distilled at MGP Distillery in Indiana. 
The whiskey is a minimum of 12 years old, but some of the...

This week’s new releases include three scotch whiskies—a 16 year old from Highland Park, and 12 year olds from Bunnahabhain and Glenlivet. On the American side, Heaven Hill has three new extensions to its Grain to Glass Series: a bourbon, rye, and wheated bourbon aged 6 years in chinquapin oak. Old Overholt rye has a new cask strength 12 year old, while Whisky del Bac continues to branch out from its single malt roots with a new bourbon, this one with mesquite-smoke staves inserted into the barrels. Elsewhere, we have two new whiskeys from Barrell, the oldest whiskey yet from Pinhook, a stout cask-finished expression from Virginia Distillery Co., and much more.
 
Bunnahabhain 12 year old Cask Strength (2025 Edition) scotch single malt
ABV: 56.4%
SRP: $149
Availability: Limited
The 2025 edition of Bunnahabhain 12 year old cask strength is an unpeated Islay whisky created by Bunnahabhain master blender Julieann Fernandez. The series was...

Higher proof whiskeys have been expanding their presence these days—indeed, among the latest releases, it almost seems like a rare thing to find a whisky with an ABV in the 40% bracket. These new expressions are nearly all in the high 50% or low 60% range, with only two bottlings in the mid-40s. It seems to be what whisky drinkers want as they seek intense, amped up flavors, and, so distillers are delivering. This lineup spans most of the major styles, including bourbon, rye, single malt, and Irish, nearly all pushing up the needle on proof.
Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye
ABV: 55.25%
SRP: $120
Availability: Limited
While your favorite Michter’s releases can sometimes go on hiatus due to a combination of limited supply and the judgment of master distiller Dan McKee and master of maturation Andrea Wilson, the distillery has made concerted efforts in recent years to make sure that its whiskeys are on shelves. That effort has paid...

The week is off to a busy start, with new releases from a variety of American distillers. Sazerac has introduced a higher-proof iteration of its flagship Sazerac rye, bumping it up from 45% ABV to 50% ABV. Another new 100-proof whiskey in the mix comes from James B. Beam Distilling Co., which has added a 7 year old Old Grand-Dad bottled in bond bourbon to its roster. Beam has also released the second edition of Jim Beam Lineage, this one made from a low-rye mashbill and aged for 15 years. Finally, Nevada's Minden Mill is taking its estate-grown rye nationwide.
Sazerac Rye 100 Proof
ABV: 50%
SRP: $30/1L
Availability: Nationwide
A higher-proof Sazerac rye is entering the mix. The new expression, which has a 5% bump-up in ABV from the flagship Sazerac rye, was developed in response to bartenders’ demands for a higher-strength version of the original, according to brand owner Sazerac Co.
Higher proof and higher age statements are both trending in the whisky...

Rye is branching out. While bourbon is an exclusively American style of whiskey, the same rules don't apply to rye, allowing other countries to give the grain a go. Here is how other distilling countries regulate the category—and the best examples of non-North American rye to try.ScotlandJohn Stirling distills Arbikie Highland Rye with a 52% rye mashbill, and labels it as a single grain scotch. “We have conformed to all the legal definitions of a single grain Scotch whisky [as set out in the Scotch Whisky Regulations],” states Stirling. “Here is a single rye, once quite a staple in Scotland, and all we've done is bring that back to life.” Does it meet the approval of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA)? “I've no idea,” says Stirling with a broad grin, as Arbikie is not a member. “The SWA is funded by some people who don't have rye out; who knows where they'll go? To be honest, the SWA is not a legal body; they're a private body funded by the big...

Whisky can be transportive, evoking memories of places you've been and trips you've taken. Distillers know this well and sometimes use it to great effect. Look to Dr. Bill Lumsden, the director of whisky creation for Glenmorangie and Ardbeg, who has time and again used his own experiences as inspiration for his creations. In the Glenmorangie "A Tale Of" series, he's explored Scottish forests and the delights of enjoying a dram by the fire, and now he's fathoming Tokyo through a glass with Glenmorangie's A Tale of Tokyo release. And while only the most adventurous among us have been to the  Isle of Harris, this tiny island in the Outer Hebrides has a distillery. This week it introduces The Hearach, its very first single malt—a  gently peated Islands expression that arrived on the eighth anniversary of the distillery's opening. That one seems likely to be a transportive experience of its own.
Isle of Harris isn't...

A bounty of new whiskies is on offer this week, with American whiskey weighing in heavily as usual. Blackened and Rabbit Hole have teamed up on a collaborative bourbon, while Russell’s Reserve offers its second single rickhouse release. Still Austin has a new bottled in bond high-rye bourbon, and Ross & Squibb is asking a cool $200 for its 15 year old limited edition Remus Gatsby Reserve. In scotch whisky, we all received great news with the return of Glenglassaugh. This distillery was acquired by Jack Daniel's owner Brown-Forman back in 2016, and that purchase also included Benriach and GlenDronach. While we've seen master blender Rachel Barrie turn her formidable talents to Benriach and GlenDronach, it's been a quiet time for Glenglassaugh. But now it's back and with a troika of new releases that should delight single malt scotch drinkers. Also from Scotland, Johnnie Walker Blue has a new collaborative effort...

So many new releases this week! We decided that we can’t possibly fit them all without creating a post that resembles a whisky encyclopedia, so today’s Whisky Weekend will feature only the  latest American whiskey offerings. On Monday, we’ll post a second run of new releases, and those will feature Scotland, Ireland, and other places beyond our shores.
Here at home, multiple bottle releases seem to be the thing these days. We posted Lost Lantern’s Summer of Bourbon range a few weeks back, a lineup of eight whiskeys in all, and this week we feature Tennessee’s Old Dominick Distillery, which offers six new expressions. Elsewhere, there’s a new bonded Jack Daniel’s in town, and this time it’s a rye. Meanwhile, the explosion in cask-finished bourbons continues, with Barrel’s new rum cask and amburana finished whiskeys, as well as a new stout-cask finished expression from...

A few things you learn within minutes of video chatting with actor William H. Macy: he prefers to be called Bill, he’s extremely articulate, he's inquisitive, especially about the art in your home, and he’s positively and utterly enamored with rye.
That wasn’t always his preferential spirit, though it was his first exposure to whiskey. “My parents drank rye,” he recalls. “They kept it under the kitchen sink, for some reason, and they’d take a shot of it, followed by a shot of water. It looked more medicinal than fun.” Macy first dabbled in bourbon, perhaps a byproduct of his Southern roots after growing up near Atlanta, but then had “a pretty ubiquitous love affair with scotch,” after spending time in London, trying all the single malts.
But time and again he returned to rye. “I have a nationalist fervor about rye. It’s America’s whiskey,” Macy says. “I love bourbon, but rye is what...

This week welcomes a handful of unique cask finishes that aim to sweeten the deal. In Kentucky, Woodford is releasing the latest edition of Double Double Oaked, a fan-favorite bourbon that’s finished for an additional year in heavily toasted, lightly charred new oak. From Tennessee, the Nelson’s Green Brier Cask Series gets a maple syrup cask-finished bourbon, adding a touch of natural sugary sweetness to its flagship whiskey. And across the pond, there’s a brand new range of peated Speyside single malts from Glenallachie Distillery, each of which is finished in a different combination of casks but with the intent of drawing out a sweet, smoky house style. Elsewhere, there are new ryes from Green River in Kentucky and Texas’ Devil River, as well as blended American whiskey from Buzzard’s Roost. There's also Lodestar, founded by cousins and entertainment industry veterans Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroderthe. Read on for more details.
Green...

We're set to kick off the season—no, not football, although there is that too. The season for big-time whisky releases is upon us. From Kentucky, Four Roses just announced its annual Limited Edition Small Batch, this one a celebration of its 135th anniversary, while Michter's is back with US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish rye. Both will drop in September. Meanwhile, Parker's Heritage has unveiled its annual release, and it's a 10 year old cask-strength rye. And Little Book is out with Chapter 7, an intriguing retrospective blending one component each from Chapters 1-6 and then adding a new whiskey for Chapter 7.
From Islay, Ardbeg's Dr. Bill Lumsden is at it again with the new Ardbeg Anthology series, the inaugural release highlighted by Sauternes cask finishing in the mix. The Sauternes cask is not often seen on  Islay, though it has been used by Kilchoman and  Bunnahabhain. From Speyside, Balvenie has another...

It’s mid-October, which means we’re drawing ever closer to the spookiest time of year: Halloween. This year, match your favorite sweet treat to a whisky—take Raisinets, for instance, which are a fantastic complement to George Dickel 11 year old Bottled in Bond given the lush, deep, dark fruit qualities of that whiskey. Of course, it's not just chocolate treats that suit whisky, and this guide offers up our favorite Halloween candy-and-whisky pairings.
As for new whisky, being in the thick of fall also means that new releases continue to flood in. Aberfeldy is back with an 18 year old whisky aged in red wine casks—this one from a Tuscan winery. Kentucky Peerless brings back its absinthe-finished rye, while Michter's returns with its 20 year old straight bourbon. Read on for full details.

Aberfeldy 18 year old Tuscan Red Wine Cask
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highland)Age: 18 year oldABV: 43%Price: $130Release: October 2022Availability...

Basil Hayden's—part of Beam's Small Batch Collection—recently debuted a limited-edition rye whiskey.It's the first line extension for the brand, whose bourbon features a high-rye mashbill. Basil Hayden's rye consists of regular rye mixed with 4 year old rye whiskey whichwas dumped and re-barreled for another 7 years in newly charred quarter casks. The re-barreling process imparted a deeper, spicier flavor on the whiskey. Bottled at 40% ABV, it's priced at $45 and available nationwide in limited amounts.Basil Hayden's recommends sipping the rye neat or on the rocks, as well as using it in cocktails. The brand worked with several mixologists to develop recipes using the rye as a base, from variations on classicsto original creations. Below, find three from Frank Liotti of Freemans in New York City—click through for the full recipes.Basil Hayden's Rye CocktailsRye Iced CoffeeCold brew, chocolate bitters, and an absinthe rinse round out the caramel notes of the rye...

It's high season for new whisky releases, as everyone gears up for the holidays and rolls out plenty of new options, along with highly anticipated limited editions like the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the Van Winkle lineup of whiskeys, and the Diageo Special Releases, which were fully revealed this week—with some significant changes, especially for American fans. Other brands are releasing limited-edition packaging in the lead-up to the holidays. J. Rieger & Co. unveiled the annual Holiday Edition label for its Rieger Kansas City whiskey, priced at $35. Meanwhile, Basil Hayden's has partnered with Wildsam Field Guides to create four special-edition labels: one that's available nationally, and three specific ones for Northern California, Southern California, and Brooklyn, New York. The whiskey remains the same—regular Basil Hayden's—but each label features local trivia, hidden spots, and drink recipes. Bottles are priced at $40.On to the new whiskies for the week...

A few weeks back, we covered the latest Dewar’s cask-finished release, Japanese Smooth, and recently had a chance to talk with master blender Stephanie Macleod about her experience in using mizunara oak to impart flavor. At just $25 and 91 points, we named Japanese Smooth an Editors’ Choice in the Summer 2021 issue.As we enter the dog days of summer, the number of new releases has slowed to a trickle. Four Gate Whiskey Company returns with its Kelvin River straight rye, Jim Rutledge has a new blend of straight ryes called High Plains, and Balcones adds a Sauternes-finished single malt to its range. Read on for full details.Four Gate River Kelvin Rye (Batch 13)Style: Straight ryeOrigin: IndianaAge: 8 year oldABV: 56.5%Price: $185Release: June 2021Availability: 2,470 bottles; GA, KY, TNNeed to know:Distilled at MGP from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, this is the second release of River Kelvin Rye, following its debut last June. It has been aged an additional year, and...

Bartenders love rye whiskey for the bold and spicy flavor it lends to cocktails, but rye is just as great for sipping neat or on the rocks. Plus, unlike bourbon, rye can be made anywhere in the world—Canada has a rich history of producing rye, while distillers on the world stage are crafting some excellent expressions as well—meaning there is an ever-growing diversity to the style. In short, rye is versatile and delicious, and earlier this year, we dedicated an entire issue to it.More recently, the Fall 2022 issue just hit newsstands this month, and features more than 130 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, including some great tasting ryes. These six rye whiskeys all scored 90 points or more and include inventive finishes, skillful blends, and a high proof single barrel bottling.
Uncork one of these 90-point rye whiskeys

Four Gate Rye Downunder Finished in Australian Apera Sherry Casks (Batch 16) 92 points, 55.1%, $200
Earthy scents of grain and old...

Bartenders love rye whiskey for the bold and spicy flavor it lends to cocktails, but rye is just as great for sipping neat or on the rocks. Plus, unlike bourbon, rye can be made anywhere in the world—Canada has a rich history of producing rye, while distillers on the world stage are crafting some excellent expressions as well—meaning there is an ever-growing diversity to the style. In short, rye is versatile and delicious, and earlier this year, we dedicated an entire issue to it. More recently, the Fall 2022 issue just hit newsstands this month, and features more than 130 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, including some great tasting ryes. These six rye whiskeys all scored 90 points or more and include inventive finishes, skillful blends, and a high proof single barrel bottling.
Uncork one of these 90-point rye whiskeys

Four Gate Rye Downunder Finished in Australian Apera Sherry Casks (Batch 16) 92 points, 55.1%, $200 Earthy scents of grain and old leather...

Spring is here and with it comes our latest issue, which is now on the newsstands. The issue offers an in-depth insight into the world of single barrel whiskeys, a guide to making the most of the upcoming Derby Weekend in Louisville, over 100 whisky reviews, and more—pick up your copy today and dig in.
Elsewhere, Stranahan's has debuted a new après ski experience in Vail Valley that’s perfect for whisky-loving skiers, snowboarders, and mountain-goers. A collaboration between the distillery and The Westin Riverfront, the Stranahan’s Après Ski Lounge features four life-size, heated whiskey barrels made for dramming and dining. It runs until April 2, and you can make reservations here. 
New whisky this week comes from all over the U.S. and Scotland. Maker’s Mark has introduced the fifth and final installment of its Wood Finishing Series, Kentucky Peerless is making its high-rye bourbon a permanent fixture...

This article was originally published in March 2020. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.No city shares a greater affinity with rye whiskey than Baltimore. Locals remained loyal to Maryland's Pikesville rye even long after the brand moved to Kentucky's Heaven Hill Distillery in 1982. The city is also the epicenter for the revival of Maryland-style rye, which is distinguished by a significant portion of corn, anywhere from 15% to 45% of the mashbill, giving it a lighter, sweeter taste. Its reemergence is a sign of Baltimore's, and Maryland's, return to the East Coast's whiskey-making vanguard.Like rye playing second fiddle to bourbon, there is an underdog quality to Baltimore, living in the shadow of Washington, D.C. “We're excited to show the world what sort of spirits Baltimore is creating, and return the city to its rightful place in the pantheon of world booze meccas,” says Max Lents...

This year’s annual Birthday Bourbon release from Old Forester is a 12 year old whiskey at a robust 53.5% ABV, which will please fans hungry for more proof, as the last two years have seen it at a mere 48%. The 12 year old age statement will also be reassuring, as some recent releases have seen it slip to 11 years. This year’s expression again will be sold via national lottery—the ritual of lining up the distillery ended after 2021, as the crowds were becoming too big to handle. (Old Forester owner Brown-Forman also saw the lottery as a better way to keep tabs on the secondary market.) This year’s lottery will be held on September 2: register by August 21, and you’re in with a chance.
In scotch whisky, Talisker is out with the annual release of its 30 year old, while Royal Salute has expanded its  62 Gun Salute with the addition of two more expressions, making it a three-part collection. Back in America, Remus Repeal Reserve is...

In the far reaches of northern Minnesota, just 40 miles south of the Canadian border, Michael Swanson’s family has been farming its 1,000 acres of land for over a century near the town of Hallock. A farm kid through and through, Swanson spent his childhood among fields of wheat, sugar beets, barley, canola, and sunflowers, and in a home surrounded by the sprawling Minnesota plains where his Swedish immigrant great-grandparents had settled. While both sides of Swanson’s family were in agriculture, neither had backgrounds in distilling, so it was a leap of faith when in 2013 he decided to devote some of his harvest toward something new: whiskey. “It made sense to me—to distill whiskey from grain that you grow just outside of the distillery itself. It gives you utmost control over the raw materials and their quality, as well as a story with an authentic feel,” he explains.

Before getting Far North Distillery off the ground, Swanson turned to...

While barrel-finishing has long been part of the scotch and Irish whiskey world, it has become increasingly widespread in the bourbon space, as distillers in Kentucky and beyond turn to a secondary cask for added flavor. Get to know the most common finishing casks and which bourbons capture them the best with our guide.There is a barrel-finished bourbon in this week's lineup of new whiskies—Lux Row's Blood Oath Pact No. 8, which was finished in calvados barrels. Other new releases this week include an ocean-aged rye from Jefferson's, a blended grain whisky from Compass Box, and a blend of Tennessee and Kentucky bourbons from Sweetens Cove. Read on for full details.Jefferson’s Ocean Aged RyeStyle: RyeOrigin: Not statedAge: Not statedABV: 48%Price: $80Release: April 2022Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:This latest Jefferson’s Bourbon release in its Ocean: Aged at Sea series is actually a rye—the first rye  expression ever in the Ocean series. It spent an undisclosed...

Wild Turkey has unveiled the latest expression in its Master’s Keep series. Master’s Keep Triumph is a 10 year old rye, making it the oldest age-stated rye the distillery has ever released. This one is priced at $275, the same as last year’s Master’s Keep Voyage expression. As usual, it’s a limited release: it will be available in select markets across the U.S. at retail, and via online presale in early June.
Triumph is the 10th Master’s Keep release since the series began in 2015, and only the second rye. The other Master’s Keep rye expression was Cornerstone, which was released in 2019 and comprised 9 and 11 year old ryes, but was not age-stated. Most Wild Turkey rye is normally aged about 4-6 years.
Since its first year in 2015, Master’s Keep has continued to showcase its luxury side. Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell has never been a fan of ultra-aged whiskeys, preferring the top age to be 8-10 years—older than...

While Kentucky dominates American whiskey today, there was once another bastion of whiskey production in the U.S.: Pennsylvania. Hundreds of distilleries were scattered across the state in the 19th century and there was a healthy mix of producers large and small, with many farmers-turned-distillers as well. Rye was the state’s reigning style, especially in the southwestern Monongahela River valley region. To honor this rich history, Suntory Global Spirits has opened the James B. Beam Pennsylvania Whiskey Heritage Center in partnership with the nonprofit historic site West Overton Village & Museum in Scottdale, Pennsylvania. 
Suntory’s involvement in the project hails from Beam’s connection to Pennsylvania rye through Old Overholt, a brand it acquired in 1987 that’s one of the oldest whiskey brands in the U.S. It was founded back in 1810 by Abraham Overholt, whose family settled in West Overton in 1800 and began farming 263 acres of land there...

While the tried and true whiskies might be a distillery’s bread and butter, experimental and celebratory releases offer a chance at exploration—not just for whisky fans, but for distillers, too. Look to Balcones' new single malt Cataleja, which is a toast to the Texas distiller's 15th anniversary, and testament to its non-stop creativity. It blends three batches of whiskey, which head distiller Jared Himstedt led through three separate maturation journeys. Similarly, over at Ardbeg there's always plenty of experimentation from whisky creator Dr. Bill Lumsden, whose latest Ardbeg Committee release delves deep into the effects of cask charring.
As for other new whiskies, Wild Turkey has debuted Generations, a collaborative effort between three generations of the Russell family: Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce. In Maryland, Sagamore Spirit has cooked up two ryes, the latest iterations of its Penny's Proof and Bottled in Bond whiskeys. There's...

The calendar is about to turn over to a new month, and there will be plenty of new whiskies to look for as spring continues to blossom.First up, Bulleit 12 year old rye is already on shelves in a number of states, priced at $50. The first age-statement rye from Bulleit uses the same mashbill and distillery source (MGP) as regular Bulleit Rye.Buffalo Trace announced that it will release a limited quantity of a new, high-proof Weller in June. Weller Full Proof clocks in at 57% ABV (114 proof), the same proof at which it goes into the barrel. Available annually, the suggested retail price is $50.Meanwhile, Canada is finally sharing one of its best whiskies with its southern neighbor. Gooderham & Worts, a blended four-grain whisky, is now available in the U.S. for $45.A single malt whisky from Belgium is hitting shelves this spring. Gouden Carolus is made by the same family that owns Het Anker Brewery (which is why the name might sound familiar to Belgian beer fans). It's priced at...

Summer has arrived, and if you're looking for a cocktail you can take on the go, we have 10 ready to drink cans and bottles from large producers, cocktail veterans, and more.If you are just looking for a new whisky, there are some interesting options this week—including the latest batches of Michter's 10 year old rye and J. Rieger Co. Monogram, a citrus-forward flavored entrant from Jim Beam, and more. Read on for full details.Michter's 10 year old Rye (2021 release)Style: Straight ryeOrigin: KentuckyAge: 10 year oldABV: 46.4%Price: $170Release: July 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:This is a single barrel rye, distilled and bottled in Kentucky. The 10 year old rye is one of the most limited whiskeys that Michter's produces.Whisky Advocate says:This year’s release of Michter’s 10 year old rye is especially limited, the distillery says. While lamenting the limited nature of this latest expression, Michter's noted that it has expanded the acreage on its farm...

Amid all the razzmatazz of new releases, we note with some nostalgia that Cutty Sark, that grand old scotch, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and it just rolled out a limited anniversary edition to mark the occasion. Cutty has been dressed up in a festive bottle and gift box that is hitting retail across the U.S., and there will be 100 celebratory events around the country in its honor. Named for the fastest clipper ship in the 19th century, during Prohibition years Cutty became a favorite of rum runners plying the Caribbean and the eastern seaboard. This light-tasting blend was a very popular choice for cocktails, and for years Cutty Sark  was America’s number-one scotch whisky, peaking in 1980 at an astounding 22 million bottles annually, according to our research arm Impact Databank. Today it's far smaller, selling just under a milllion bottles a year.
But on to the business at hand. Halloween is not quite here yet, but we have some...

Many drinkers are quick to dismiss celebrity-backed whiskies, but one label that has escaped the stigma is heavy metal band Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey. The first Blackened release, a blend of straight whiskeys finished in “black brandy” casks, came in September 2018. It was the last major undertaking of renowned master distiller Dave Pickerell, who would pass away mere months after its debut. After his passing, the mantle of master distiller was passed down to Rob Dietrich, who previously worked on both Tincup and Stranahan’s. 
While the label’s more recent releases have scored above 91, the crown jewel of the Blackened portfolio is Rye the Lightning. Its name was a cheeky riff on “Ride the Lightning,” one of Metallica’s most popular albums. Dietrich, leaning on the cask finishing experience he picked up during his days at Stranahan’s, composed a blend of 5–8 year old rye whiskey that was finished in both rum...

Single malt scotch makes a good showing this week, with new releases from Glenmorangie, Nc’nean, and Bladnoch, in addition to a collectible Laphroaig. In keeping with previous changes to its other core whiskies The Original and The Nectar, Glenmorangie has added some extra aging to its popular Lasanta expression, while Nc’nean unveils its annual release of Huntress. Both whiskeys have reasonably wide availability. Meanwhile, Lowlands scotch maker Bladnoch follows with the second release in its Wave series, and Laphroaig delves into the archive to release a new 38 year old. Among American whiskeys, Blue Note offers a single barrel rye, while Pursuit United has a rye—sourced not from MGP, but from Bardstown Bourbon and Sagamore Spirit. In bourbon, Kentucky Senator has two new additions, while Michigan’s Coppercraft has an MGP-sourced 9 year old.
Glenmorangie The Lasanta 15 year old Highland Single Malt Scotch
ABV: 43%
SRP...

In Scotland, whisky is made by and large from barley, but a handful of Scottish distillers are dipping their toes into a different grain pool: rye. One of the more high-profile distillers to do so is Bruichladdich, which has just released the U.S.-exclusive The Laddie Rye.
Made from 55% Islay-grown rye and 45% Islay-grown barley, this whisky was aged 7 years in a combination of first-fill bourbon barrels and toasted, not charred, American oak casks—a choice that lets the classic rye notes really shine, according to master blender Adam Hannett. And shine they do—there’s plenty of peppery spice, cinnamon, pickled ginger, and a hint of dill on the nose, and those same notes appear on the palate, though they're tempered by the sweetness of spun sugar, lemon meringue, and vanilla.
The making of The Laddie Rye was partly driven by the fact that rye is an excellent rotational crop, thanks to its regenerative effects on soil. Bruichladdich began growing rye back...

It's been quite the month for notable openings. After the James B. Beam Distilling Co. debuted the Fred B. Noe Distillery, a new, smaller-scale outfit where labels like Booker’s and Baker’s will be produced, in addition to more experimental whiskeys created by eighth-generation distiller Freddie Noe, Johnnie Walker has opened the doors to its massive Princes Street flagship home and visitor attraction. We take you inside the former luxury department store, detailing the many tours, bars, and drinking experiences on offer.Onto the new whiskies. Yamazaki has released a 55 year old single malt, Laphroaig returns with the latest version of Cairdeas, and Daviess County has a new finished bourbon. Read on for full details.Yamazaki 55 year oldStyle: Single maltOrigin: JapanAge: 55 year oldABV: 55.46%Price: $60,000Release: September 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:The whisky is a blend of single malts, with components distilled in 1960 and aged in mizunara casks and distilled in...

Just a week after announcing its seventh batch of limited-edition bourbon, Kentucky Owl has revealed plans to roll out a rye whiskey for the first time. The 11 year old sourced whiskey will be available in much larger quantities than Kentucky Owl's bourbon—and will cost less, though it's by no means inexpensive at $130 a bottle. About half the country will have access to Kentucky Owl rye.Meanwhile, New York-based Hillrock Estate has a new bourbon from its solera, finished in California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. The distillery says the 6 to 8 week finish gives the nose and finish of red wine, but preserves the core bourbon flavors on the palate.Finally, FEW Spirits is launching its latest collaboration with Chicago-area record label Bloodshot Records. White Lightning is a whisky (no E) that is distilled from five types of malt and rested for a short period of time in FEW bourbon and rye barrels. There are only 150 bottles, available at the distillery starting on September 9th at...

WhiskyFest returns to the Capital City on April 17th, and—with hundreds of whiskies to choose from—it's going to be an unforgettable night for whisky lovers. Whether you want to go deep on scotch, Irish, craft whiskey, or other styles, there will be plenty of delicious drams to tempt your palate. For lovers of American whiskey, use this guide to get started, and consult the full list of pours to determine your can't-miss whiskeys.As you're planning your evening, check out our guide to making the most of the event. And if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, get them here!Elijah Craig Barrel ProofThere's a reason this whiskey was number one in the Top 20 Whiskies of 2017—and you can taste that reason at WhiskyFest. Master distiller Denny Potter will be on hand pouring Elijah Craig and many other Heaven Hill whiskeys—plus he's leading a seminar where you'll be able to blend your own version of Elijah Craig Small Batch.Four RosesAlthough WhiskyFest is the best place to try new...

New whiskies are coming from all corners and in all styles this week.First up, Crown Royal is launching a new range of whiskies called the Blenders' Series, celebrating the art of blending. The first release, Blenders' Mash, showcases the corn-forward whisky that makes up one of Crown Royal's five key blend components. It was originally released a few weeks ago as Crown Royal Bourbon Mash, but that name didn't sit well with American distillers or the TTB, since Crown Royal is Canadian and bourbon can only be made in the U.S. Eagle-eyed whisky drinkers may still be able to spot the old label on shelves, but for the rest of us, Blenders' Mash will be widely available and cost $28.Meanwhile, Kentucky's Wilderness Trail Distillery releases its very first bourbon and rye tomorrow. The distillery was founded by two scientists who use precise and forward-thinking techniques to create whiskey—from using sweet mash to going chemical-free. The bourbon and rye—both aged at least four...

Fans of The Walking Dead can look forward to a special bourbon coming out sometime later this year, but if you're looking for new whisky to drink now, keep reading.Two years after releasing its acclaimed straight rye, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville is debuting its first straight bourbon, aged for four years. It will be priced at $70 and initially available in Kentucky before rolling out more widely.Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the second release in its Old Charter Oak collection. Old Charter Oak French Oak has a recommended price of $70 and will be available in limited amounts.A 12 year old straight bourbon produced at Bardstown Bourbon Co. is hitting shelves. The second batch of Sam Houston 12 year old is available in a handful of states, priced at $100.Meanwhile, Four Gate 11 year old bourbon, finished in a sherry-rum cask (keep reading—it's explained below), was recently released in Kentucky and Tennessee. The company aims to produce several different...

It's not quite ready to roll, but, there's an upcoming new release of an annual expression that's always an occasion for its distillery and its fans. Lady Bird, made by Texas distiller Garrison Brothers, is a honey-infused, cognac-finished bourbon made from a mashbill of 75% corn, 15% soft winter red wheat, and 10% barley. It’s released once a year at the distillery in the town of Hye, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, west of Austin, and this year’s release date has just been revealed as May 11. Some 7,002 bottles of Lady Bird’s 2024 edition are being made available: the first 1,000 bottles will be sold on May 11 at the distillery, and the remainder will be released at retail nationwide. Lady Bird is bottled at 57% ABV and carries a retail price of $180. The waiting line at the distillery on selling day starts at around 5 a.m. and usually stretches for a couple of miles. In the meantime, there are plenty of new releases here to...

As we move full-on into fall, we are loaded up with high-profile whiskies this week. King of Kentucky is out with its eighth annual release, while Widow Jane drops its seventh annual bottling of The Vaults, the series highlighting ultra-aged bourbons made with unusual cask finishes. Woodford Reserve has a new barrel strength rye, while Baltimore rye specialist Sagamore Spirit has released its first bourbon, a high-rye expression made entirely at the distillery. Among other whiskies, scotch whisky blender Compass Box has tapped into the dessert lover’s palate with a new expression called Crème Brulée Royale, while India’s Rampur Distillery has a new single malt. Meanwhile, college football is in the air: Teeling is back with another expression honoring the legacy of Notre Dame's legendary team, and former Rutgers University football star Eric LeGrand toasts his alma mater with a new bourbon saluting its mascot, the...

Many whiskeys have a good story behind them, but for Rabbit Hole's newest bourbon, that story takes on particular poignancy. In an exclusive interview with Whisky Advocate, Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian revealed why he chose the name Heigold, and what inspired the new names he's given to the rest of the brand's whiskeys. Heigold ($70) and the rebranded line roll out next month, first at the distillery and later more widely.Other new whiskies are coming out as well. Kentucky Owl is releasing the third batch of its rye, this time with a 10 year old age statement. Priced at $200, Kentucky Owl Rye is available in limited amounts.Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay is adding two new vintage releases to its core range. Bruichladdich 2010 Bere Barley is made with an ancient strain, while Bruichladdich 2010 The Organic is, as you might have guessed, distilled from organic barley. Both whiskies are $100, with 18,000 bottles of each available.Eighth-generation Jim Beam distiller Freddie Noe...

The Summer 2020 issue of Whisky Advocate dropped earlier this week, with over 130 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide. Peruse for a few minutes and find a new bottle to try! For even more new whisky (to be reviewed soon!), keep reading.Wild Turkey is rounding out its rye portfolio with the launch of Rare Breed Rye. Always bottled at barrel proof, the initial batch is 56.1% ABV and priced at $60, available nationwide.Glenmorangie has launched the newest limited-edition single malt in its Bond House No. 1 collection. Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1996 is 23 years old, aged entirely in first-fill "bespoke" bourbon casks, and priced at $825.MGP is set to release the 2020 bottling of Remus Repeal Reserve bourbon in September. The 12 year old bourbon is priced at $85 and available in limited amounts.Walsh Whiskey is rolling out the 12th batch of The Irishman Vintage Cask. There are 3,500 bottles of the high-proof blended Irish whiskey available, with 750 coming to the U.S. at $140 each.A...

Eddie Russell respects tradition, but he's not afraid to experiment, especially if doing so could lead to great whiskey. The Wild Turkey master distiller joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Aug. 14 to talk about how he's been a bridge between the old-school preferences of his father, American whiskey legend Jimmy Russell, and his son Bruce, who's increasingly playing a role in whiskey production.Jimmy, Eddie said, “never drank any rye,” though he kept up its production during the 1980s and 90s when few people were drinking it. Bruce, however, is a big rye fan, as are many whisky lovers in his age group, and Eddie said he played an important role in developing Wild Turkey's new Rare Breed rye. “As he came on board, he got to talking about, let's taste those barrels of rye, and kept wanting to let ‘em age longer and longer,” Eddie explained, noting, “You always worry about ryes getting too dry.” That wasn't the case with Rare Breed rye, a...

It’s the day after Thanksgiving, which means you may have some leftovers in the fridge and a little more time to explore some pairing opportunities. We’ve got you covered on the joys of matching pie and whiskey with a new video that serves pecan, pumpkin, and cherry pie alongside bourbon and rye. Try a few combinations to see what you like best.Announced this week, Royal Salute adds to its Time Series with a 51 year old blend, Blue Run drops a cask strength rye as part of its holiday collection, and The Whistler brings back two of its cask finishes. Read on for full details.Royal Salute The Time Series 51 year old (2021 Release)Style: Blend Origin: ScotlandAge: 51 year oldABV: 45.4%Price: $30,000Release: November 2021Availability: Limited, 101 bottlesNeed to know:The second in Royal Salute’s Time Series Collection includes whiskies distilled no later than 1970—some of which are sourced from ghost, or shuttered, distilleries—and bottled at cask strength. The Time Series...

When Diageo created Orphan Barrel in 2014, its mission was to highlight barrels that had been left by the wayside in warehouses, or discovered in distilleries that had long since been shuttered. To that end, three of Orphan Barrel’s past releases have come from Scottish ghost distillery Port Dundas, which closed its doors in 2010. Ultra-aged bourbon lovers have also flocked to Orphan Barrel for its ultra-aged Kentucky bourbons, which have ranged anywhere from 15 to 26 years old. They’ve been distilled or aged at some reliable names, too—Bernheim, George T. Stagg (now Buffalo Trace), and Stitzel-Weller, to name a few. But now the brand is switching it up, and doing so in more ways than one by introducing both a rye and a new master blender, Samantha Johnson.
Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade is a 14 year old rye that was distilled in Indiana, aged in Kentucky, and bottled in Tennessee. The end blend, consisting of a 95% rye mashbill, was put together by...

Our sister publication Wine Spectator is celebrating the year in wine with its annual Top 100 list, counting down its Top 10 this week to this morning's announcement of Wine of the Year. The full Top 100 list goes live on Monday, November 14th. You can check out Wine Spectator's Top 10 now at WineSpectator.com. Next up is Whisky Advocate, as our Top 20 list of the most exciting whiskies of the year will be announced early next month.
This week's new whiskies run the gamut in terms of style and origin. Heaven Hill is releasing its oldest Old Fitzgerald to date,  a 19 year old bottled in bond bourbon. Crown Royal introduces a 29 year old blend, that could be considered a rye whiskey. And Jack Daniel's announces its first-ever American single malt, which was finished in oloroso sherry casks. Read on for full details.

Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Special Release Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished
Style: American single...

Our deep dive into Rare Character Whiskey Company’s explosive growth and astounding auction potential is a comprehensive profile on the company. (Click here to read it, if you haven’t already.) All of Rare Character’s whiskey is sourced, and while some mashbills and distillery locations are somewhat straightforward—as with Brook Hill bourbon and rye, Old Cassidy bourbon, and Pride of Edison County bourbon and rye—the Rare Character Single Barrel Series is different. 

It features more than 30 different mashbills from a variety of distilleries and locations. Each single barrel bottle receives a corresponding barrel code and a designated wax color. (These wax colors indicate similar, though not always identical, flavor profiles.) Here, Rare Character co-founder and barrel selector Pablo Moix explains each code and color, and offers some of his personal tasting notes. 
RIO / Copper Wax

“Rio is Spanish for...

There’s a lot to consider this week, with two familiar annual releases—Parker’s Heritage from Heaven Hill and Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre—as well as new entries from Macallan, New Riff, High West, A. Smith Bowman (that very underrated whiskey from Sazerac), and Blue Note, among others. Off the beaten path are Penelope's pre-mixed Old Fashioned in a 750-ml. bottle, and a new blackberry entry from Jack Daniel's—technically not a whiskey since it’s below 40% ABV.
Heaven Hill Parker’s Heritage Collection 11 year old Kentucky Straight Whiskey (2025 Edition)
ABV: 61.25%
SRP: $180
Availability: Limited
Now in its 19th year, Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection showcases the distillery’s innovative side, as a tribute to late master distiller emeritus Parker Beam’s legacy. The latest Parker’s Heritage whiskey is a blend of three distinct whiskeys: 15 year old Kentucky straight...

With gift-giving season upon us, there's no better time for new whisky. First up, Maker's Mark has a very special Private Edition coming out in December—a custom bourbon created by the competitors on Bravo's Top Chef. Just a few hundred bottles are available for $80 each, going on sale after the second episode of season 16 airs on December 13.Islay distillery Bowmore has unveiled a single malt distilled in 1965 and aged a whopping 52 years. There are just 232 bottles available, but at a cost of $30,000, the list of eligible purchasers isn't going to be too long.Meanwhile, boutique independent bottler The Last Drop is also rolling out a very aged whiskey—this one a bourbon distilled in 1982 at what is now called Buffalo Trace, but was then the George T. Stagg Distillery. It was moved out of barrel in 2002 to avoid becoming over-oaked. At 20 years old, with just 44 bottles available, the whiskey costs $4,000.Another bourbon from the George T. Stagg era is being released by Buffalo...

Thanksgiving is behind us and December approaches, but the wave of new whiskies only builds.First up, Bowmore has partnered with Aston Martin to launch a new expression of Black Bowmore. The 31 year old whisky is priced at $65,000, with just 25 bottles available.Fellow Islay distiller Ardbeg has debuted a slightly younger single malt with a much more reasonable price. Ardbeg 25 year old Aged and Caged is priced at $850, and is a permanent part of the lineup.George Dickel is now offering single barrels at 15 years old. The recommended price for each bottle is $60, with limited amounts available.A trio of whiskies from Japan's Mars Shinshu and Tsukuni distilleries is hitting the U.S.: the widely available Mars Iwai 45 ($35), the limited-edition Mars Komagatake ($169), and the very limited Tsunuki the First ($220), which has just 1,122 bottles.Three whiskeys from Clyde May's are rolling out now: a 6 year old single-barrel straight bourbon ($50), 8 year old straight rye ($50), and 12 year...

The holiday season is swiftly approaching, and with it, a slew of extra-special releases that would make interesting end-of-year gifts. For the car lover in your life, there is Bowmore's latest opus in partnership with luxury British automaker Aston Martin. Also out is a new edition from the Heaven's Door Bootleg series—the crème de la crème of the brand, which was created in partnership with Bob Dylan. Of great interest to us is the new release from Old Overholt, a 10 year old, cask strength rye priced at $100. That seems like quite a departure for this price-friendly label that has long been a favorite of rye lovers, though this release is in fact a throwback to Old Overholt ryes of the previous century. 
Elsewhere in new whisky, High West returns with a fresh edition of The Prisoner's Share, this one using no sourced whiskey, as it's 100% made at High West's Wanship...

There’s never been a better time to be an American rye lover, with rye whiskey coming from across the country. These ryes run the flavor gamut, given that the style has blossomed over the past decade beyond straight rye to include bottled in bond, cask-strength, and barrel-finished variants. Many rye mashbills are at play, too; whereas the 95/5 recipe from MGP once ruled the day, there are now whiskey makers leaning into the style by way of 100% rye mashbills, and others still who operate at the opposite end of the spectrum, with expressions of 51% rye that highlight the softer, sweeter sides of the grain. We’ve rounded up five American ryes that represent just how diverse this style can be (and at prices that don’t break the bank).
92 points - Corbin Cash Merced Rye Small Batch, 45%, $55
Farm distillers, the Souza family, have worked their Central Valley, California farm since 1917 and began distilling in 2007, with a focus on rye. Small Batch rye offers...

A fresh crop of whiskies are rolling down the pike this week. Barrell Whiskey's second rye is hitting shelves. This batch combined rye from Indiana with malted rye from Poland. Like all Barrell products, it's bottled at cask strength. The company is also releasing its 2018 New Year bourbon. This year's iteration combines bourbons made at seven distilleries in five states, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years old.The English Whisky Company rebranded its core line in the last year or so, and the new names and packaging are finally arriving in the U.S. Now known as The English, the two core expressions are Original and Smokey. In addition, there's a single rum cask-matured single malt, exclusive to the U.S.Meanwhile, a variety of craft distilleries are launching new whiskeys. Old Elk bourbon comes from Colorado, but is the result of the producer's collaboration with three distilleries: Woody Creek (CO), Finger Lakes (NY), and MGP (IN). Old Elk has named former MGP master distiller Greg...

Normally at this time of year, there would be lots of new bourbons to share, as the Kentucky Derby kicks off summertime sipping season on the first Saturday of May. But with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, new releases have slowed down, and even the Derby has been postponed until September. (There are still a ton of "Virtual Derby" events happening tomorrow, including cocktail and bourbon education from the folks at Woodford Reserve. And you can still make a delicious Mint Julep at home.)Nevertheless, even a handful of new whiskies is better than none at all, and there are several exciting offerings to look for now. First up, a new brand called The Clover, honoring golfer Bobby Jones, is launching widely. The lineup features single-barrel bourbon ($50), rye ($50), and 10 year old Tennessee whiskey ($70), available in about 20 states.Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit has unveiled a new range of beer barrel-finished ryes, starting with one finished in Sierra Nevada casks. Sagamore Spirit...

No matter what's going on in the world, the certainty that there will be new whiskies to look for stands firm. And so it is this week!First up, Crown Royal is rolling out the latest release in the Noble Collection, a 16 year old rye. The limited-edition whisky is priced at $70.Nikka has overhauled the recipe for Taketsuru Pure Malt while also updating the bottle. Priced at $80, the blended malt is widely available.Indian single malt brand Rampur has a new release, finished in Indian cabernet sauvignon casks. Rampur Asava is priced at $90 and widely available.Widow Jane is offering a higher-proof version of its 10 year old blended straight bourbon, with proceeds going to support hospitality workers and their families. Called "You'll Never Walk Alone," the whiskey is priced at $90, with 3,300 bottles available.Barrell has unveiled a Private Release series of single-cask bourbons, each with a unique microblend. The whiskeys are limited edition, with a recommended price of...

Our latest crop of new ratings includes two scotch whiskies, two bourbons, and one rye. Among the scotch whiskies is a highly rated 25 year old from the Isle of Skye label, which at $210 represents a relative bargain in the world of ultra-aged spirits. The other scotch is an unusual one—leading with malted rye, accompanied by malted barley to fill out the rest of the mashbill recipe. Elsewhere, we rate Little Book’s Chapter 7 In Retrospect, which combines the subtotal of master distiller Freddie Noe’s body of work on this project, and it’s excellent. Also checking in is Hemingway rye, a relative newcomer with a mission to make top-flight rye whiskeys in Kentucky. Read on for more details.

95 Little Book Chapter 07: In Retrospect, 59.01%, $150
A blend of the six preceding Little Book releases along with a new component. In total, it includes five straight bourbons aged 18, 17 10, 9, and 4 years, a 5 year old straight malt whiskey finished in...

Making whiskey from heirloom grains has been among the many pursuits of Newport, Kentucky-based New Riff Distilling since its launch in 2014. Now it's offering a new iteration of its Balboa rye label, which returns for the first time since its inaugural release in 2019. Meanwhile, Old Forester is bringing back its 1910 Extra Old label, and Westland returns with the third edition of its peated expression Solum, this time with significantly more bottles available. Elsewhere, terroir-drive Colorado distiller Laws is out with a new wheated whiskey, while the World Whiskey Society has expanded its Doc Holliday franchise with a bottled in bond bourbon.
 
Old Forester 1910 Extra Old Bourbon
ABV: 46.5%
SRP: $65
Availability: Limited
Earlier this month, Old Forester reintroduced its 1924 bourbon. Now, the distillery is bringing back another whiskey: 1910 Extra Old, which returns to shelves after a nearly three-year hiatus. The...

In the thick of summer, country-strong Buffalo Trace workers are sweating through their shirts, rolling newly filled barrels from a truck into a stone warehouse. The whiff of new make spirit in charred oak cuts through the subtle breeze, wafting rich bourbon aromas. It's a typical hot and humid Kentucky day, but something's wrong.The Buffalo Trace Distillery's barrelhead stencil markings look a little unusual. Instead of the smeared black ink upon wood grain, these barrelheads don a bright green.This may seem like no big deal to a casual observer, but in the whiskey business, where every detail counts and small changes reverberate across decades, this green ink on the outside of a barrel is the mark of something profound on the inside: wheated bourbon.Buffalo Trace switched its wheated bourbon stenciling from black to green, while the ryed bourbons remain black, so warehouse crews can differentiate the two. With the growing demand for wheated bourbon, this simple green stenciling...

David Landrum is the founder of Two James Spirits, a small distillery in Detroit. His buddy, Jacques Driscoll, runs Johnny Noodle King, a nearby ramen shop. Driscoll was planning a bar program for the restaurant and asked Landrum if he might create a whiskey to complement his umami-rich broths.“I was an art student,” says Landrum. “I've always been pushed by creativity. I like to keep making new things.”He had been drinking a lot of Asian teas and lapsang souchong, a Chinese smoked tea, came to mind. It was a source of inspiration. Landrum infused a blend of corn and rye whiskeys with lapsang souchong and two other Asian teas. He calls it Johnny Smoking Gun. Driscoll loved it. Both the noodle shop and Two James's tasting room serve it in cocktails and also neat with a “broth back.”Interesting? Yes. Unique? Sure. Innovative? Absolutely! But is it whiskey?That question sits at an intersection of art, craft, tradition, culture, law, commerce, imagination, taste—and probably...

American whiskey makers are staying busy in the new year. Shortly after reporting that Nelson's Green Brier plans to renovate its Nashville distillery, news broke that Traverse City Whiskey Co. began construction on what will be the largest whiskey distillery in Michigan. Traverse City is targeting early 2024 to have production up-and-running, with a plan to open to the public several months later.
While Michigan whiskey drinkers will have to wait for more Traverse City, there are a number of new releases this week worth getting excited about. Heaven Hill extends its Heritage Collection with a 20 year old corn whiskey, Westland announces the 7th edition of its Garryana single malt, and Sagamore Spirit is bringing its 8 year old rye nationwide. Read on for full details. 
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection (2023)Style: Corn whiskeyOrigin: KentuckyAge: 20 year oldABV: 57.5%Price: $290Release: March...

The week’s rolling announcement of our Top 20 Whiskies of the Year is completed today, with the unveiling of whiskies 11-20. As always, the drumroll began on Monday with Nos. 10, 9, and 8, followed by 7, 6, and 5 on Tuesday, and 4,3, and 2 on Wednesday. Yesterday came the big day, with the reveal of our Whisky of the Year,  and we finished up today with the rest of the list. With due congratulations and celebration for the winners, we will soon begin the quest for next year’s winners. It all starts here, on the pages of our Whisky Weekend new releases.
In keeping with the ways of the modern whisky world, this year’s Top 20 features a number of international collaborations, notably Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage, whose rum barrel finish is a joint effort with Jamaica’s Appleton Estate. In this week's new rollouts, we have Puncher’s Chance whose latest, The Unified Belt, blends Irish whiskey and bourbon. Meanwhile...

Good news for stateside scotch lovers: The pound recently fell to its lowest position against the dollar in 37 years (dropping below $1.14 at times), meaning that whisky aficionados can benefit from substantial savings at retail, in duty-free, and the auction market abroad. In UK travel retail, savings can soar as high as 59%; a 1-liter bottle of Caol Ila 12 year old, for example, will set you back just $39 at Heathrow, compared to $97 in U.S. stores. If you're visiting the UK in the near future, it will be well worth it to do some whisky shopping—either in duty free or local stores—to score some whisky at prices below U.S. retail prices. Meanwhile, there's plenty on offer among this week's new releases. Metallica's Blackened has collaborated with Angel's Envy co-founder Wes Henderson on a port cask-finished bourbon, Glenfiddich has added a sherry cask-finished single malt to its core range, and Dewar’s has reintroduced its flagship 12 year old blended scotch...

There's plenty of new whisky on the horizon this week, from the U.S., Scotland, and beyond.Old Forester is debuting its first new mashbill in a century and a half with the launch of a rye whiskey. Bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $24, the whiskey is widely available.Another brand from Brown-Forman, Coopers' Craft, is also adding a new whiskey. Coopers' Craft Barrel Reserve was aged in a new charred oak barrel that was chiseled on the inside to create more surface area for the wood and whiskey to interact. At 50% ABV, it's also higher proof than the original Cooper's Craft. It will be available in a dozen states for $30-$33.Glen Moray has unveiled the latest release in its non-age statement Classic Collection. Glen Moray Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Finish was finished in, you guessed it, cabernet casks and bottled at 40% ABV. It's widely available for $30.Seattle's Westland Distillery is releasing its latest Peat Week limited-edition single malt. Bottled at 50% ABV and priced at $100, the...

College students at New Mexico State can now buy a whiskey with their mascot on it, but for everyone else, there are plenty of other new releases to look for.First up, Buffalo Trace is releasing a new vintage O.F.C. bourbon, this one distilled in 1995. There are 1,500 bottles, each priced at $2,500.Kentucky Owl is launching its 10th batch of bourbon, as well as the fourth and final release of its rye. Both whiskeys are priced at $300 and available in limited amounts.Scotch giant Diageo is rolling out the 2020 Distillers Edition bottlings for six of its distilleries: Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Oban, and Talisker. The limited-edition single malts range in price from $85 to $110.Craigellachie has bottled a single sherry butt at 24 years old. Just 474 bottles of the whisky are available, priced at $300 each.Loch Lomond Distillery has unveiled 21 ($300) and 30 year old ($800) expressions. While joining the core lineup, annual allocations are limited.Portland, Oregon's...

When Sagamore Spirit opened its modern, expansive distillery on Baltimore’s waterfront back in 2017, it was embarking on a full-tilt mission to revive Maryland’s vanished rye whiskey tradition. Prior to Prohibition, there were as many as 44 rye makers in Maryland,  but that number had dwindled to nothing by the end of the 20th century. By far the biggest rye distiller in the state, Sagamore focuses exclusively on making rye. Initially relying on MGP for its spirit, the company has gradually incorporated its own-make rye into its whiskeys, and results have been positive, with its ratings moving up accordingly in Whisky Advocate’s Buying Guide.
This morning, Sagamore Spirit announced that it has agreed to be acquired by Illva Saronno, the Italian drinks company most famous for its Disaronno amaretto liqueur brand. The agreement was struck with Sagamore Spirit founder Kevin Plank, best known for his sportswear company Under Armour, and it calls for Illva...

When Buffalo Trace introduced Sazerac Rye 100 Proof earlier this year, it was widely praised as a welcome bump-up from the standard 90 proof expression. Sazerac has always been a great cocktail brand, and bartenders in particular expressed their enthusiasm. But some voices in the higher-proof crowd clamored for more, saying that 100 Proof didn’t quite go far enough. Now Buffalo Trace has taken it up a notch again with Sazerac Rye Full Proof, bottled at 62.5% ABV and releasing this month as a permanent member of the Sazerac lineup.
The term “full proof” applies to whiskeys that are bottled at the same proof they entered the barrel, as opposed to “barrel proof,” which refers to whiskeys that are bottled at their proof when taken from the barrel. This means that by rule, a full proof whiskey can be diluted back down to its entry proof when it exits the barrel. That proof will be lower in Kentucky, where the hot climate boosts alcohol content during...

This week's newest whiskies come from Scotland, Kentucky, Indiana, Ireland, and beyond.Balvenie is releasing this year's batch of Peat Week 14 year old. Vintage-dated to 2003, the peated whisky will be quite available—36,000 bottles are destined for the U.S. market—and will cost $99. If you're wondering why Balvenie, a typically unpeated Speyside single malt, would make a peated version, find out the answer from the man who makes it, David Stewart.Another whiskey that's coming back for the second year in a row, WhistlePig Farmstock Crop 002 is now hitting shelves. The blend includes ryes sourced from MGP Distillery in Indiana, Alberta Distillers in Canada, and WhistlePig's own Vermont Distillery; this year, the Vermont portion makes up 32% of the mix. As with Farmstock Crop 001, this year's batch is limited. It has a recommended retail price of $73.Speaking of MGP, the Indiana mega-distillery has just released its own rye, after years of supplying hundreds of other brands...

Updated May 30, 2024: Effective May 28, 2024, Golden Moon Distillery ceased operations.
Denver began as a mining town in 1858 with a whisper that gold had been found in the Rocky Mountains. Prospectors and fortune-hunters set up tents and shacks on the banks of the Platte river, and in their wake came entrepreneurs—gamblers, prostitutes, and saloonkeepers—ready to help “mine” the miners of whatever they might find. Though not much gold was found, there was plenty of whiskey to help wash away their troubles.160 years later, Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and the residents have not lost their taste for whiskey and other spirits. Craft distilleries are opening at a remarkable rate; the recently launched Colorado Spirits Trail includes more than 50 distillers around the state creating a wide variety of spirits, from whiskey to brandy. Denver alone has nine distilleries as of August 2018, plus several more in the greater metro...

Joining the ranks of Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and several other whisky-making nations, New Zealand has published guidelines setting out the standards for its native whisky styles. Though the country's exports to the U.S. have been tiny thus far, the new rules could help.There's plenty of new whisky hitting shelves now, however. First up, the folks behind Barrell Craft Spirits have unveiled Stellum, a line of bourbon and rye, including single barrels. The whiskeys are all priced at $55 and widely available.Highland Park is rolling out its third 50 year old single malt, priced at $30,000. There are just 274 bottles available.The Spring 2021 release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond is hitting shelves, this time at 8 years old and with a suggested price of $85. As always, it's available in limited amounts.The latest offering in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Selection line is called 14E19 Twin Blend—a combination of Tennessee whiskey and rye. There are 24,000 375 ml bottles...

In order to give us all a chance to consider this latest round of new releases as closely as possible, we've decided to separate them into two installments. Today we'll cover the landscape of new expressions in American whiskey, and on Monday we'll report on the latest from Scotland, Japan, and elsewhere in the world. For the American side, there's much ado about the barrel, as so many of these releases feature a variety of cask finishings and longer barrel agings, some of them unusual. Also, Widow Jane digs into the cellars for some of its most aged liquid, and we note with interest that Frey Ranch is out with an American single malt. We haven't scored that one yet but can confirm from preliminary tastings that it's a good one, though unfortunately its volumes are tiny, and are sold only at the distillery and on their website.  There's plenty more to take in here, so enjoy.
Widow Jane Decadence
Style: Blend of straight bourbons
Origin: Tennessee...

On Monday, December 4, our countdown of the Top 20 Whiskies of 2023 begins! The reveal kicks off with whiskies 10, 9, and 8, followed by whiskies 7, 6, and 5 on Tuesday, December 5; whiskies 4, 3, and 2 on Wednesday, December 6; and the unveiling of our Whisky of the Year on Thursday, December 7. The entire Top 20 list, detailing the most exciting whiskies of the year, will be published on our site next Friday, December 8.
As for this week's new releases, perhaps a future Top 20 candidate is in their midst: Read on for full details of all the week has to offer, including the latest Diageo's Distillers Edition, Fuji Whisky's 30 year old Single Grain, Jack Daniel's Distillery Series Selection #12, and more.
SCOTCH
Diageo Distillers Edition 2023
Each year, Diageo releases its Distillers Edition versions of some of its most popular single malts. Generally speaking, they’re the same whiskies as the core expressions, but they all receive varying amounts of...

Lots of new whiskies are hitting stores this week, including a galactic bourbon, limited-edition Canadian whisky, and more.Straight off the Starship Enterprise comes James T. Kirk bourbon, named for the ship's fearless leader. The sourced whiskey is 10 years old, distilled in Tennessee, and will be featured at San Diego Comic Con next month. It's available for pre-order now for $60, with bottles shipping in the fall, at jamestkirkbourbon.com. Update 10/3/18: Future batches of James T. Kirk bourbon will vary in origin and age, from 4 to 12 years old.Back down on earth, Crown Royal has unveiled the 2018 release in its Noble Collection, a 13 year old version of the recently released Blenders' Mash. The whisky was distilled from corn, rye, and malted barley and aged entirely in new charred oak barrels. It will be available in limited amounts for $60.In Kentucky, Wild Turkey Distillery has released the latest Russell's Reserve vintage, this one comprised of whiskey from 25 barrels filled...

Lots of new whiskies are coming out this week, but first, some quick updates on existing brands: Fistful of Bourbon, the blend of straight bourbons produced by William Grant & Sons master blender Brian Kinsman and blender Kelsey McKechnie, is now available nationwide. It launched two years ago and up to now was limited to Texas.George Remus bourbon, which is made by MGP, is now offering a single-barrel program for retailers. There's a list of participating stores if you'd like to find one near you.O.Z. Tyler Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky has rebranded as Green River Distilling Co., the historic name connected with the company's DSP (distilled spirits permit). When the distillery launches its own-make whiskeys at 4 years old, they'll bear the Green River name.On to this week's new releases. First up, Hudson Whiskey has rebranded its core lineup and launched new packaging, and a new finished rye. Prices are lower than they used to be, and the liquid is apparently more...

Whether you’re a fan of neat bourbon or scotch on the rocks, there’s a great whiskey (or whisky) cocktail you’ll love. We’ve got variations on classics including the Old Fashioned, Sazarac, Manhattan, Irish Coffee, this spin on the Rob Roy, and more, plus newer cocktails, like this Paper Plane makeover. 
Whether your whiskey preference is bourbon, rye, Irish, scotch, Japanese, or a world whisky, there’s something on our list for every palate. There are plenty of options for refreshing summer whisky drinks as well as fireside sippers and cocktails that are perfect for the holidays or winter months when you want to warm up with whiskey. Looking for special occasion whiskies? We have you covered with suggestions for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and beyond. Or check out these entertaining with whisky ideas.
Our list spans the flavor gamut, too, with options for those who like cocktails sweet or floral to spicy and complex...

We're getting ever closer to the holidays and the new whisky releases are starting to slow—but they aren't letting up too much!Barton 1792 Distillery has debuted a new line of cask-finished bourbons under the Thomas S. Moore name. The whiskeys (all $70) include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and port finishes and are limited edition.Catoctin Creek Distilling has partnered with space metal band GWAR on Ragnarök rye, coming out in February. Priced at $99 each, the first batch has 2,000 bottles, with potentially more to come.Proof and Wood Ventures is rolling out Vertigo, a blend of whiskeys from MGP Distillery. There are 1,000 bottles available, priced at $150.Ireland's Boann Distillery is adding two single malts to The Whistler range in the U.S., both priced at $45: P.X. I Love You and Bodega Cask. Both are initially available in three Midwest states.The final batch of Booker's for 2020 is hitting shelves. Bookers 2020-03 "Pigskin Batch" is priced at $90 and available in limited...

WhiskyFest D.C. happens on April 17th, when whisky lovers of all stripes will have the chance to try hundreds of amazing whiskies, ranging from amazing scotch and bourbon to exciting new Irish and craft whiskeys. As befits an event in our nation's capital, craft whiskey distillers from all across the country will be pouring their wares at the event, so if you've ever been curious about the exciting new styles of whiskey being made outside of Kentucky and Tennessee, WhiskyFest is the perfect time to start exploring. Here are a few of our top picks.Be sure to check out the full list of pours, as well as our guide to getting the most out of WhiskyFest (don't forget the seminars!). And if you don't have your tickets yet, get them here!George Washington's DistilleryGeorge Washington may have put down the Whiskey Rebellion—the only time in U.S. history that a sitting president has personally led an army—but that doesn't mean he didn't like whiskey. In fact, he made the stuff, and was...

One late August day, members of the heavy metal band GWAR were set to visit Catoctin Creek Distillery. The distillery's co-founder Scott Harris wasn't entirely sure what to expect. A fan of Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand, Harris says he likes easy-listening music, which is about as far away as one could get from the stage antics, graphic imagery, and demonic get-ups of GWAR. “They were like, ‘Yeah we'll bring our costumes, we'll take some pictures.'” Harris says. “And so we were like ‘Okay!' And not sure what that was going to be like. It was pretty fun.”
Three band members—Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death, rhythm guitar), Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha, drums), and Bob Gorman (Bonesnapper, backing vocals)—of the hard rocking, intergalactic artistic collective visited the Purcellville, Virginia distillery to taste whiskey samples for what would become Ragnarök Rye, a new collaborative release from the band and Catoctin...

Whisky knows no season, but there's something about rye that seems extra fitting during the colder months but any whisky is perfect for pumpkin spice season. Like every other category of whisky, a rye's flavors can run the gamut of peppery, spicy, herbal, oaky, fruity, and sweet. As distillers dabble with heirloom varieties and employ interesting finishing barrels, the flavors are becoming more unique and varied.
Less popular than bourbon, rye has seen a revival in the last 10 years. That's largely thanks to craft distillers who took an interest in distilling's history and were inspired to innovate as they recreated the pre-Prohibition style. Distillers like Leopold Bros. have gone back to the roots of rye distillation with its Three Chamber rye, and Dad's Hat in Pennsylvania recreated the state's rye of its heyday with heirloom Rosen rye. New York distillers have harkened back to the state's pre-Prohibition rye whiskey heritage by...

It's a steamy Saturday afternoon at the Clinton Street headquarters of Nashville, Tenn.'s Corsair Distillery and the tasting rooms are hopping. In one, drinkers jockey for position at a small bar serving big beers like the 8.4% Applewood Smoked Gratzer or 7.6% Smoked Salt Gose, all crafted in the brewery portion of the ‘brewstillery,' while in a second, significantly larger room, a much greater crowd has gathered to partake of the distillery side's wide range of spirits.Sliding between the group of twenty-somethings beginning their stag party on a high note and a somewhat overly amorous couple apparently bent on enjoying their weekend to the hilt, I arrive at a sliver of bartop and behold the selection of bottles lining the shelves behind.‘Triple Smoke' reads one, which I assume—correctly, as it turns out—to be a whiskey made from malt smoked over a trio of different woods, while the next, ‘Quinoa Whiskey,' gives me greater pause for reflection. Could it really be made from...

Single malt scotch drinkers, it's your day: The latest Diageo Special Releases have been unveiled, and aside from a 26 year old Lagavulin, they're remarkably accessible, coming in at $250 or less. As with previous iterations, this year's collection—called Legends Untold—was curated by Diageo master blender Craig Wilson and includes eight whiskies in total.It's an abundant week for American whiskey lovers, too, with new bourbons from Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve, the latest edition of High West's A Midwinter Night's Dram, and a cask strength single malt from Westward Whiskey. Read on for full details.

Wild Turkey Master's Keep One
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 50.5%
SRP: $175
Release: October 2021
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
Master’s Keep One is the sixth release in Wild Turkey's limited edition Master’s Keep series. This one blends 8 to 10 year old bourbon with 14...

Whisky Advocate's Spring issue hits the newsstands on March 22nd and takes a deep look at rye whiskey's rebirth. Here, our auction correspondent checks out the recent hammer prices on WhistlePig's collectible series of rye whiskeys in his column What's It Worth?WhistlePig The Boss Hog series has emerged as one of the market's most collectible annual rye whiskey releases. Fans eagerly await each year's edition, along with the latest pewter pig that adorns the stopper—a collectible that has become the porcine equivalent of Blanton's racehorse stoppers.When The Boss Hog was first released in 2013, the goal was to deliver a yearly treat to collectors and connoisseurs that represented the finest rye in WhistlePig's stock. WhistlePig commits to five promises for each release: It will be a single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique from anything they've done before, and it will be stupendous. The liquid is sourced from Canada and shipped to Vermont for further...

In addition to the news that Casa Cuervo is purchasing Pendleton Whisky, this week has brought several new releases.BenRiach is rolling out a 21 year old single malt that aged in four different casks: bourbon, virgin oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and red wine. The whisky is initially available overseas, but will be coming to the U.S. in 2018. Stay tuned for pricing and availability details.Two Irish whiskeys are making their debut online only. Knappogue Castle 12 year old Special Reserve is a higher-proof version of the standard single malt, available at ReserveBar.com. Meanwhile, DWD The Heritage Edition is a blended Irish whiskey that resurrects an old brand from the 19th and early 20th centuries.Brooklyn's New York Distilling Company has released a version of its Ragtime Rye, finished in applejack barrels. The whiskey meets all the standards for New York's new Empire Rye category—one of eight whiskeys currently available with that designation.Meanwhile, Copperworks Distilling in...

Penelope Bourbon was founded in 2018 by entrepreneurs Danny Polise and Mike Paladini, who created the brand with sourced whiskey from MGP and then began by selling it to retailers door-to-door in their home state of New Jersey until they could find a distributor. Last year it all paid off, as MGP swooped in to acquire Penelope for $105 million.
Penelope’s secret to success is its cask finishing, primarily with its Cooper Series, a high-scoring line of cask-finished whiskeys. Now, Penelope is aiming to capture some of that magic by releasing a new version of a fan-favorite rye. Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish is a rye with a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, distilled at MGP’s Ross & Squibb Distillery. After aging at least 8 years, the distillate was re-casked in tokaji wine barrels—sourced from an undisclosed winery in Hungary—for 8 1/2 weeks and bottled at 53% ABV. 
Some things have changed from Penelope’s first tokaji...

Still Austin Whiskey Co. opened  its doors in 2017, billed as the city of Austin’s first distillery since Prohibition. It’s located in the St. Elmo District just south of the city center, a former industrial neighborhood that’s now a destination for dining, shopping, and entertainment that also features a brewery, urban winery, coffee roaster, and other businesses. 
The distillery started as a collaborative project between retired business executive Cleveland Seals and his son Chris, along with several other locals. Early on, it recruited renowned master blender Nancy Fraley to help create whiskeys with a grain-to-glass approach, but it set itself apart with its maturation process. The regimen, which was devised by Fraley, sees small amounts of water added to barrels as they age to stave off the impact of the harsh Texas climate. 
The distillery has come a long way in a relatively short time. Still Austin has recently been scoring some high...

When Pinhook released a 4 year old bourbon as the first iteration of the Vertical Series in 2019, it was something of an anomaly—tracking the same sourced whiskey at different ages, with only the ABV varying (though it always hovers at high proof, given that it's bottled at cask strength). Such an experiment into maturation hadn’t been carried out so intentionally before the inception of the Vertical Series. The first rye in the Vertical Series debuted in 2020 and was a 4 year old bottled at 46.5% ABV; now in the series’ fourth annual release, the 8 year old rye is out.
Made from 95% rye and 5% malted barley, Pinhook’s 8 year old, MGP-sourced rye, “Tiz Rye Time,” builds on the proof of its 2023 predecessor (which came in at 52.56% ABV), clocking in at a cask strength of 54.2% ABV. While the Pinhook production team has generally found that the proof will increase as age does, this hasn’t always been the case with the Rye Vertical...

When we gave Amrut Spectrum our World Whisky of the Year award in 2016, the Indian single malt wasn't yet available in the U.S. But as of this month, that's no longer the case—though the limited-edition whisky will still be tough to find. There are plenty of other new whiskies to try though: a brace of unique ryes from Woodford Reserve (available at the distillery only), bourbons from Redemption and George Remus (both made at MGP Distillery), single-cask scotches from the Exclusive Malts, and two bottled in bond whiskeys made by Laws Whiskey House.Amrut Spectrum 004Style: Single maltOrigin: IndiaAge: Not statedProof: 50% ABVPrice: $160Release: June 2017Availability: 1,800 bottles for the world, including 600 bottles for the U.S.Need to know:This Indian single malt whisky was matured in a cask made with four different types of staves: new American oak with a No.3 char level, lightly toasted new French oak, and ex-oloroso and ex-Pedro Ximénez sherry. The 004 is latest batch of...

While Buffalo Trace Distillery announced the 2019 release of the Old Rip Van Winkle whiskeys yesterday, the real new product upset of the week was Glenlivet's cocktail pods—an innovation that isn't even coming to retail shelves, but nevertheless caused quite a stir. My take? Do not fear the scotch pods.Beyond the unobtainable, there are plenty of new whiskies to look for now. Jim Beam has revealed an overhaul of its Baker's brand. The bourbon will remain at least 7 years old and 107 proof, but is now bottled as a single barrel for $70. In addition, there's a limited-edition 13 year old Baker's available in small amounts for $100.Beam's Kentucky neighbor, Heaven Hill, has debuted Larceny Barrel Proof. The cask-strength version of the distillery's wheated bourbon is priced at $50 and will be released in three batches a year.Balvenie Distillery is rolling out Batch 6 of Tun 1509. The limited-edition single malt costs $400.Wyoming Whiskey is bringing back Outryder at 7 years old. The...

As COVID-19 continues to affect just about every part of our lives, its impact is being felt by secondary market buyers—now looking at potentially higher prices—and, more crucially, by small and independent distillers, who are struggling to weather the storm of disrupted markets and supply chains. If there's a local distillery you love, show some support by buying a bottle or reaching out with words of encouragement, and urge your representatives to keep the craft spirits industry in mind as they work to provide business relief.And when you need to stock up on more whiskey, consider this week's new releases—some of which will be easier to find than others. In the latter category falls Col. E.H. Taylor 18 year old Marriage, a straight bourbon made from all three of Buffalo Trace Distillery's bourbon mashbills. It's retail-priced at $70, but with a very limited amount available, the bottles are likely to fetch much more.The Hirsch name has adorned rare whiskey too, but the brand's...

In the high desert country of northwest Nevada, about 75 miles from the California line, lies the city of Fallon. It’s an outpost along cross-country U.S. Route 50, on a stretch of highway known as The Loneliest Road in America for its endless reaches of dusty desert terrain. But Fallon is an oasis in this vast desert, with fertile farmland nurtured by snowmelt from the nearby Sierra Nevada range as well as Lake Tahoe on the California border. This bountiful land is most famous for its rich yields of alfalfa, which is prized by cattle ranchers and thoroughbred breeders around the world.
The Frey family has farmed here since 1854—a decade before Nevada even became a state. Frey Ranch spans about 1,500 acres and cultivates alfalfa as well as wheat, rye, barley, oats, and corn. Today the ranch is stewarded by Colby Frey, who represents the fifth generation of family ownership. Like his forebears, he devotes himself to the land. “I was just irrigating our rye...

It’s the time of year when foliage nears its peak—and so does bourbon. Later this month, Buffalo Trace’s annual release of its Antique Collection will hit shelves, well, in theory anyway. The bourbons and ryes in this limited-release collection are among the most sought-after by drinkers and collectors, so in the unlikely event you spot one at retail price, or even close to it, make the purchase and thank your lucky stars.
These expressions within the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) generally remain the same each year, but what does vary is the age and in some cases the proof of the whiskey. Launched in 2000, the BTAC started with just three expressions (Sazerac 18 year old, Eagle Rare 17 year old, and Weller 19 year old) and in 2005 six bottlings were released (Sazerac, Eagle Rare, W.L. Weller, and three variations of George T. Stagg). Since then, it’s been holding steady at a five-bottle collection—with the exception of 2021, when George T...

Midway through the first month of the year, the pace of new releases has picked right up, especially for bourbon. High West has debuted a blend of sourced straight bourbons that range in age from 6 to 20 years, while Penelope has partnered with a southern furniture company on a bespoke bourbon blend. In single barrel bourbon, Knob Creek has launched the second whiskey in its Bold Pick collection, Still 630 has kick-started its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. with a line of 12 bottled in bond single barrels, and Wyoming Whiskey has unveiled the latest edition of its annually released single barrel. And calling all Woodford fans: This week brings the return of Double Double Oaked, now in its second year of nationwide availability. 
That’s it for bourbon! Elsewhere in American whiskey, New Riff is back with this year's batch of Balboa rye, and Rebel Bourbon is trotting out its discontinued root beer-flavored whiskey once more. And from overseas, Royal...

Remember a month ago when WhistlePig teamed up with Flaviar to crowdsource a new blend? That whiskey, WhistlePig HomeStock—this year's edition of FarmStock—is now available for pre-order, priced at $73. There are 25,000 bottles available.New York-based Widow Jane is launching a 13 year old straight bourbon, bottled as a single barrel. Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen is priced at $90, with 15,000-20,000 bottles available.Washington, D.C.'s Republic Restoratives is rolling out the third batch of Borough bourbon, this time aged 5 years and finished in armagnac casks. There are 14,000 bottles available, priced at $49.Chicken Cock has a new Kentucky rye finished in beer casks from Goodwood Brewing Co. At $90, there are just under 1,500 bottles of Chicken Cock Ryeteous Blonde available.Colorado's Golden Moon Distillery is debuting a brace of single malts: Principium, which is double-distilled, and Triple, distilled three times in homage to Irish tradition. Both are priced at $59, with about...

WhiskyFest made a joyful return to New York last week, as whisky lovers filled the Marriott Marquis Times Square ballroom for a night of memorable pours and educational seminars, while also getting to meet the master distillers for George Dickel, Heaven Hill, Blackened, Widow Jane, and many others. Read our recap from the night, and note that WhiskyFest will make its final stop in San Francisco on Dec. 3. Get your tickets today.WhiskyFest attendees had a chance to taste the newest release from Glenmorangie before it was officially unveiled. That sweater-inspired single malt highlights this week's new releases, along with single grain whiskies from Frey Ranch, and the latest single malt from St. George Spirits. Read on for full details.Glenmorangie 13 year old A Tale of WinterStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highlands)Age: 13 year oldABV: 46%Price: $100Release: November 2021Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:Glenmorangie’s director of whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden was...

Back in 19th-century Scotland and Ireland, whisky merchants also sold wine, bringing in popular fortified wines like port and sherry. Casks filled with wine were shipped across the sea from Spain and Portugal, and once they were emptied, the merchants would often refill them with whisky from a nearby distillery rather than discard them and pay for new casks. Eventually, people came to see that a whisky’s maturation in wine casks contributed some very nice flavors. Ireland’s whiskey merchants, famously Dublin’s J.A. Mitchell & Son with its Spot whiskeys, were particularly renowned.
But those days were more about cost expedience, and generally involved full maturation rather than finishing per se. It was in Scotland during the early 1980s that cask finishing as a modern art form was born. In 1982, David Stewart, former malt master at Speyside distillery Balvenie, decided to see what would happen when a whisky aged in American oak casks was transferred to a...

As we roll toward the July 4th weekend, there's plenty of Americana among this current crop of new releases. Separately, we've also put together a list of whiskeys that capture the spirit of July 4th, many through their part in the American story. As for this group, we have new expressions of the long-standing Michter's Legacy Series, a toasted barrel whiskey from Old Potrero and a toasted barrel bourbon from Peerless, a barrel proof rye from E.H. Taylor, and a new Babe Ruth commemorative edition from George Remus. From Scotland, we have another wine cask finished item from Glenmorangie, this one aged 23  years.
Not listed here is the partnership between Oregon-based Pendleton Whisky and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, a collaboration that began in 2021 and has just released a new Military Edition label to honor and support our veterans. A portion of every bottle sold (up to $100,000) will go to support veterans programs around the nation. The Bob...

Single barrel whiskeys from Four Roses and 2XO are just two of the week’s highlights among the new releases on the North American side, which also feature Barrell's oldest age statement whiskey to date—a Canadian expression—as well as new creations from Remus, Pinhook, and Milam & Greene. On the scotch side, Compass Box has a new peated offering that aims to showcase the sweeter side of peat, particularly in comparison to its sibling label Peat Monster, a long-beloved mainstay of the Compass Box portfolio. Elsewhere in scotch, Dalmore weighs in with two new vintage expressions—one distilled in 2006 and the other 2009.
Four Roses Single Barrel Collection
Price: $50
ABV: 50%
Availability: Four Roses Distillery, Cox’s Creek facility
Every year since 2004, Four Roses has released a single barrel bourbon. While the single barrels have varied—some have had age statements, and the proof jumps...

It's a big week of new releases for bourbon and other American whiskeys, with announcements from major stars including Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch (covered earlier this week), as well as Maker's Mark Cellar Aged, Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Sour Mash,  Baker's 13 year old, and numerous others detailed below. In scotch, Glenfiddich has a new 16 year old in partnership with Aston Martin's Formula One racing team, while the Tormore single malt brand has a trio of new whiskies as it prepares for a broader U.S. introduction in 2026.
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged (2025 Edition) Bourbon
ABV: 56.45%
SRP: $175
Availability: Limited
Since its debut in 2023, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged has represented a dramatic departure from the distillery’s standard bourbon, which is ready at around 7 to 8 years old. While Cellar Aged, like the flagship Maker’s, bears no age statement, it has featured whiskey 11 years or older. The barrels used...

Among the latest rollouts, Heaven Hill honors its Deatsville warehousing campus with a new 13 year old bourbon, High West has unveiled the annual release of its Bourye expression, Chicken Cock has a new wheater, and Bulleit has a new bourbon whose mashbill contains a high share of mesquite-smoked malt. With Formula 1 racing season upon us, Jack Daniel’s has unveiled its latest collaborative effort with the McLaren F1 racing team, and there's much more.
 
Heaven Hill Deatsville 13 year old Bourbon
ABV: 54.5%
SRP: $200
Availability: Limited
This well-aged bourbon honors Heaven Hill’s Deatsville warehouse campus and represents a blend of 17 barrels that were matured on the third floor of Heaven Hill’s Rickhouse AA. It has a mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, the recipe Heaven Hill uses for many of its bourbons, including Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, and others. Heaven Hill acquired the warehouses in the early 1980s...

These two whiskies aren't technically brand-new—both have been released in previous iterations—but the latest bottlings from Kilchoman and Laws Whiskey House are now available and have evolved since previous releases. Kilchoman is Islay's newest distillery,* and has been releasing yearly batches of 100% Islay, a whisky made entirely from Islay-grown barley, since 2010. This year's edition is the oldest yet, aged seven years. Similarly, A.D. Laws Bottled in Bond Secale Straight Rye is on its third edition, with more to come in the future.*Ardnahoe Distillery is currently being built on Islay, but isn't yet producing whisky.Kilchoman 100% Islay 2017 ReleaseStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: 7 yearsProof: 50% ABVPrice: $100Release: June 2017Availability: 1,260 bottles for the U.S.Need to know:This is the newest release of Kilchoman's 100% Islay expression. The whisky is made of barley that's grown and malted on Islay, and is then distilled and matured at Kilchoman...

Distillery-exclusive expressions are something of a double-edged sword for whiskey lovers. For the truly dedicated followers of a particular brand, there’s a lot to get excited about—namely, the prospect of scoring a new release while paying a visit to their favorite distillery. But fans who aren’t able to make that trip must choose between overpaying on the secondary market or doing without.
Kentucky distillery Old Forester has found a way to make sure both groups go home happy. The distillery has announced that its popular President’s Choice series, which has historically been a distillery-only release, will be available for nationwide distribution for the first time. The national debut, which also includes the first rye whiskey in the series, will take place this month.
Casting a Wider Net
President’s Choice whiskeys have always been hard to find. The first President’s Choice expression was made in 1890, when Old Forester president...

Every April 22nd, millions around the world recognize Earth Day, a celebration first held in 1970 to raise awareness and support for the planet’s precious natural resources. In the world of whisky, there are some distillers who have to keep a closer eye on the earth around them than others—and that’s because they’re entirely grain to glass.
What exactly does grain-to-glass distilling entail? For the most part, it’s exactly as it sounds—the distillery handles every part of production, starting with the very grains the whisky is made from. While a few go as far as to grow the grains themselves, more grain-to-glass distillers purchase some or all of their grain from farms in spitting distance of their stills. Then, those grains are distilled, and the whiskey is matured and bottled on-site. Voila! Grain-to-glass. 
In celebration of Earth Day, we’ve rounded up a number of true grain-to-glass distilleries that take care of their locales...

Glen Scotia is out with the second release in its Icons of Campbeltown series, but the rest of the scotch whisky world is somewhat quiet, although Glenmorangie will soon hit our shores with another installment in its “Tale” series—this one called A Tale of Ice Cream, matured in bourbon barrels as well as “high vanillin” casks that received a special heat treatment to bring our as much vanillin as possible in the wood. We’ll have more next week, but pricing is at around $100 and it’s expected to hit the market on October 1.
On the bourbon front, we have news that Basil Hayden is offering its 10 year old as a permanent member of the lineup—graduating from its previous role as a limited annual release. We’ve been seeing many more aged whiskies lately, a far cry from a decade ago, when the good stuff was in very short supply—indeed, greater age seems to be the message far more than it used to be. Pinhook has a...

Heaven Hill’s Grain-to-Glass bourbon returns after its successful debut last year, which also featured a rye and wheated bourbon. Thus far, the 2025 edition includes only the bourbon, with the other two labels in the trio due out later in the year. Elsewhere in bourbon, Old Fitzgerald’s Spring Edition is right on time this year, in contrast with some previous years where this seasonal release was delayed by a few months, and Chattanooga Whiskey has a 2021 vintage bottled in bond expression. In scotch, Speyside distiller Glenrothes has a new 15 year old, which joins the permanent portfolio, while Dalmore is out with a new Luminary expression. From the Lowlands, the innovative InchDairnie Distillery has two new expressions, both flying under the  KinGlassie name.
Heaven Hill Grain-to-Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2025 Edition)
ABV: 52.5%
SRP: $100
Availability: Limited
The second edition of Heaven Hill’s grain-to-glass bourbon—a...

One question we frequently get from friends and readers is this: “What are some of the whiskies that you enjoy?" While our Top 20 list rates the stars, there are many other great bottlings out there that also merit a place on your shelf. Looking through our recent tasting notes and the whiskies in our Buying Guide, we've put together a list of some notable releases worth exploring—many of them well known, and others less so. The one standard is that they're all priced at $80 or less. Other than that, they’re simply great whiskies—for when it's time for us to put things aside, kick back, and just enjoy a great dram. 
94 points - Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch, 40%, $42
Peat lovers should not overlook this smoky gem that's accompanied by flavors of dried orchard fruit, pepper, vanilla, caramel, and orange. Or if a sweeter pour is what you reach for, try Johnnie Walker Gold...

Ever wanted to taste a 51 year old whisky—for free? You may get your chance, as Craigellachie is touring several cities with a pop-up bar where they'll pour gratis drams of their new 51 year old whisky. If you aren't lucky enough to live in one of those places, however, there are still plenty of new whiskies to anticipate (though you'll have to pay for them).Johnnie Walker's upscale John Walker & Sons line has unveiled the fifth and final release in its Private Collection. John Walker & Sons 28 year old Midnight Blend includes whiskies from Caol Ila, Clynelish, and Strathmill, among other distilleries. Just 3,088 specially packaged decanters are available worldwide for $750.Meanwhile, Maker's Mark is rolling out a 101-proof version at global travel retail stores. Packaged in a 1-liter bottle, the whiskey—which is the same liquid as regular Maker's Mark, just bottled at a higher proof—has a price of $50 or €45.Knob Creek is releasing a limited-edition rye, fully...

Happy New Year—again! The Lunar New Year happens on Saturday, Jan. 25 and commences the Year of the Rat. Both Johnnie Walker and Macallan have rolled out limited-edition packages of existing whiskies in celebration. The special Johnnie Walker Blue Label ($250) features an intricate design by Shirley Gong, while Macallan's two-pack of 12 year old Double Cask ($140) includes knot symbols that represent longevity and eternity. Both are available in limited amounts.Also limited, but in this case, new and novel, is the latest Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Collection release, a Tennessee whiskey finished in oatmeal stout casks. Priced at $40 for a 375-ml bottle, the whiskey is mainly for sale at the distillery in Lynchburg.Colorado-based Tincup is launching its first rye whiskey, distilled in Indiana. Tincup straight rye is widely available, priced at $30.Two new barrel-proof bourbons, also made in Indiana, are hitting shelves: The Justice 14 year old ($99) and Tumblin' Dice 4 year old...

Pablo Moix built Rare Character Whiskey Company on a reputation for bold barrel-proof whiskeys that showcase both exceptional single barrels (for the Brook Hill line) and blending craftsmanship (for labels such as Old Cassidy bourbon). Now Moix is coming full circle, returning to his bartending roots with Hurst Knoll, a 7 year old Kentucky straight rye bottled at 101 proof, designed specifically for cocktails and priced at $60. It launches this month.
“Many Rare Character offerings are barrel proof, which are harder to use in cocktails, and people may not want something that hot,” Moix explains. With bars and restaurants requesting more mixable options, he identified a gap between rye workhorses often behind the bar and high-end rye offerings: age-statement rye with enough punch to stand out in any cocktail. One that won’t sting your wallet, either.
Craft cocktails are a space Moix knows well. He started bartending in New York before moving to LA in the early...

Seattle's association with drinks has tended toward the city's world-class coffee and the monster-hoppy IPAs. But Seattle also has an active local craft distilling scene, home to almost 20 distilleries, with many making whiskey.Single malt whiskey has been the object of much local obsession. In the last several years, scientists from Washington State University and Oregon State University have confirmed what distillers and farmers have long suspected: that the maritime climate in this part of the world mirrors that of Scotland, where some of the best single malts are made.But single malt isn't the only whiskey style Seattle distillers are creating. Bourbon, rye, and other whiskeys are also flowing off the stills, often with an emphasis on using local grains and reflecting the terroir of the area.The local whiskeys are garnering praise from near and far, and Seattle is becoming known as a distilling powerhouse. The Washington Distillers Guild is launching an interactive trail map this...

We recently published our Editor's Choice selections for scotch whisky from the Summer issue's Buying Guide, and here we present the Editor's Choices for rye—along with a few others that scored 90 points and higher. Some are new and others are not, but even the returnees are worth another visit.  Whether sipping neat alongside s'mores, mixing them with a cocktail by the lake, or with a cold rock after a day at the beach, there's plenty to love about rye whiskey. Most ryes are spicy, but there's a lot more variance than some people may think. Those with 95% rye in the mashbill are lip-smacking, spicy favorites, but the ones with more corn or malt in the mix can be sweeter. Across the spectrum, you'll find flavors ranging from fruity, earthy, bakery-like, creamy caramel, and even coffee-laden. Sample some of these high-scoring ryes to find your sweet and spicy spot.
93 Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve Chocolate Malt...

We’d wager that for most people, it’s only natural to think first of Kentucky, and then perhaps Tennessee, when thinking of American whiskey. After all, the two southern states possess rich distilling histories that stretch back hundreds of years, and today Kentucky makes about 95% of all bourbon on the market. But there’s another state right next door with a rich whiskey history of its own: Indiana.
The Hoosier State is home to the city of Lawrenceburg, once known as Whiskey City, USA thanks to its prolific rye production from the mid-19th century up to Prohibition. The city, which lies just west of Cincinnati, and under 2 hours northeast of Louisville, built its first distillery in 1847. Originally called Rossville, it has gone through a series of name changes over the years—from Rossville to Jos. E. Seagram Lawrenceburg, then Lawrenceburg Distillers, more recently MGP, and currently Ross & Squibb. It’s a distillery that has supplied whiskey for...

Even a quick glance at its name makes it safe to assume that Dampfwerk Distilling in St. Louis Park, Minnesota has a far-flung influence. In this case, that influence is German: Owner Ralf Loeffelholz is originally from the Bavarian town of Muhldorf. There, fruit brandies and herbal liqueurs are deeply entrenched in the culture, and Loeffelholz knew that when he opened his distillery on American soil, those European-style brandies and liqueurs would be at the heart of his business. But Dampfwerk (which translates to “steam works”) is a family affair, and distiller Christian Loeffelholz (Ralf’s son) joined Dampfwerk with American single malt in mind—which he makes on the same German-made still his father uses.

“The still was designed to our specifications; it’s not a traditional whiskey still by any means, but it’s tuned for leaving as much flavor in the product as possible—in that way, we have great bandwidth for brandies and...

Michter’s 20 year old, Garrison Brothers’ Cowboy, and Cedar Ridge Double Barrel are just some of the new offerings in this week's parade of new American whiskeys, while in scotch, Highland Park is out with a new bottling in its cask strength series. Among world whiskies, Nikka celebrates the 40th anniversary of its Nikka From The Barrel whisky with a commemorative release, and Paul John has unveiled its annual Christmas Edition. Somewhat related is news that Bobby Garg, the U.S. importer of Indian whisky label Rampur, has released his own bourbon. 
 
Michter’s 20 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV: 57.1%
SRP: $1,200
Availability: Limited
While Michter’s 20 year old bourbon is an infrequent release, fans of this coveted whiskey are in luck: for the second year in a row, the distillery is releasing the 20 year old bourbon next month. The 2025 bottling is selling at the same $1,200 price tag as...

WhiskyFest is celebrating its 20th anniversary in New York on November 16th, and, with over 110 tables pouring nearly 500 different whiskies, it's going to be quite the celebration. As always, Scotch and bourbon lovers will find plenty to enjoy. Plus, craft distillers from around the United States will be sharing their unique and exciting whiskeys at WhiskyFest. Craft whiskey is incredibly diverse and constantly changing, and even longtime fans will find new drams to try. Don't worry if you aren't sure where to start—this guide offers tips for making the most of all of WhiskyFest's craft whiskeys. (You can also check out the full list of all whiskies being poured at WhiskyFest New York—and don't forget to download the app.)Fun fact: WhiskyFest is older than all but one of the distilleries on this list!The Hometown Heroes: Hillrock, Hudson, Coppersea, and Widow JaneNew York State is home to one of the most vibrant craft distilling scenes in the nation, and that's well reflected by...

It's long been an open secret that a lot of “craft” distilleries buy and bottle whiskey from an Indiana factory called Midwest Grain Products (MGP). You only need flip over a bottle and see “Distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN” to know who is doing it. Often it's because the distillery's own whiskey is still aging, and the company needs something to sell during the years of maturation. Dozens of brands offer hundreds of bourbons and ryes that start—in theory—as the same, exact thing. And yet, why do so many of these MGP whiskeys taste so different?Age matters, of course. So does the fact that MGP offers its clients five different bourbon and three different rye mashbills to choose from, as well as corn and wheat whiskeys, among others. Among them, the distillery's 95% rye mashbill seems to be the most popular.“When we started out, we knew everyone and their mother were buying MGP 95% rye,” explains David Perkins, founder of High West Distillery. The Utah-based producer got...

The first week of April has brought a whole lot of new whiskies, from blended and single malt scotch to bourbon, rye, and more.Dewar's announced a limited-edition trio of whiskies called Dewar's Double Double. Each blend—aged 21, 27, and 32 years—was finished in a different type of sherry casks. The whiskies are available in limited amounts, packaged in 375-ml. bottles and ranging in price from $50 to $150.WhistlePig has unveiled its first whiskey since master distiller Dave Pickerell passed away last fall. WhistlePig Piggyback Rye is 6 years old and sourced from Alberta Distillers; the pig on its label sports a stetson hat, Pickerell's trademark look. The whiskey is currently available for $50 in a few states, with expanded distribution to come.Several new whiskies from Islay's Bruichladdich Distillery will be hitting shelves soon. Black Art 06.1 1990, the mysterious blend of casks created by master distiller Adam Hannett, will sell for $420. Meanwhile, four heavily peated...

Had they not been postponed until 2021, the Olympics would have kicked off today in Tokyo, and Japanese whisky makers had some truly special new releases planned to celebrate. While some of those plans are on hold, several are going ahead, and even American whisky lovers will be able to purchase some of the bottles.Now on to the bad news: Tariffs from both the U.S. and EU have devastated the scotch and American whiskey industries, and they may get even worse. We spoke with distillers large and small about the brutal effects of these steep levies, and what increased or expanded tariffs could mean for whisky lovers. Read the full article and, if you feel moved to act, use the Spirits United portal to voice your opposition on the American side of the fight.Back to good news: New whiskey! This week it's all about rye and bourbon, starting with Old Overholt. Earlier this week, we broke the news that parent company Beam Suntory is investing in Old Overholt's birthplace at West Overton...

It’s long been an open secret that a lot of “craft” distilleries buy and bottle whiskey from an Indiana factory called Midwest Grain Products (MGP). You only need flip over a bottle and see “Distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN” to know who is doing it. Often it’s because the distillery’s own whiskey is still aging, and the company needs something to sell during the years of maturation. Dozens of brands offer hundreds of bourbons and ryes that start—in theory—as the same, exact thing. And yet, why do so many of these MGP whiskeys taste so different?
Age matters, of course. So does the fact that MGP offers its clients five different bourbon and three different rye mashbills to choose from, as well as corn and wheat whiskeys, among others. Among them, the distillery’s 95% rye mashbill seems to be the most popular.
“When we started out, we knew everyone and their...

Among this week's new whiskies, Heaven's Door has released its first bourbon that includes distillate from its own backyard. Earlier this year, Heaven's Door announced plans to open a Kentucky distillery in the scenic town of Pleasureville, the heart of bourbon country. The Pleasureville distillery has actually been in development since 2017 and making small batches there since 2018 on a custom Vendome still. But in September the place will open its doors to the public, to reveal a campus with two separate stillhouses, a visitor center, tasting rooms, and other amenities. Back in 2019, Heaven's Door was mapping plans to open a distillery and brand center in a 160 year old church in Nashville, which it acquired in 2016. That site will now be used as the headquarters of The Heaven's Door Foundation, the company's philanthropy arm supporting charities and the arts. 
Among other new releases, Kentucky distiller New Riff and Idaho-based Grand Teton Distillery...

Whiskies are released for all sorts of special occasions, including weddings, coronations, and of course, birthdays. But in a real first, Wyoming Whiskey is debuting a bourbon celebrating the solar eclipse, which takes place on August 21st. Also new this week: Early Times is launching a limited-edition bottled in bond bourbon, while Clyde May's has a 9 year old cask strength whiskey. And a new "hybrid" blend of bourbon and rye called Copper Cross is hitting store shelves. Early Times Bottled in Bond BourbonStyle: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: 4 years oldProof: 50% ABVPrice: $23 (1 liter)Release: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and OregonAvailability: Limited editionNeed to know:This bourbon has a mashbill of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley. As a bonded bourbon, it was aged for at least four years and is bottled at 100 proof.Whisky Advocate says:Because Early Times has long been aged in used barrels, it hasn't been able to call itself a bourbon; it's...

Even if you're not hitting a whisky trail, there's still plenty of excitement to be had in a new bottle or two—and this week brings six new whiskies to taste.First up, Johnnie Walker's third installment in the Blue Label Ghost and Rare series will be hitting shelves this October. With the main rare malt sourced from Glenury Royal Distillery—closed in 1985—the blend is priced at $350 and available in limited amounts.Also limited, although much more affordable, is the latest release in Jack Daniel's Tennessee Tasters' Selection: Barrel Proof Rye. There are about 24,000 half-size bottles of the whiskey for sale at Jack Daniel's Distillery and select Tennessee retailers, priced at $40 each.Meanwhile, Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled the latest limited-edition Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbon. Made with amaranth as the flavoring grain, rather than rye or wheat, the whiskey is available in limited amounts for $70.Compass Box is revamping the recipe for The Peat Monster, its heavily...

Bourbon tends to get the spotlight when it comes to American whiskey, but our country’s first native spirit was actually rye—and the Spring 2019 issue goes all-in on the spicy, delicious grain. Learn how rye—once practically a dead-and-forgotten whiskey—is now undergoing a renaissance, led by craft innovators and big distillers alike.

Canada, too, has a long history of rye distilling, and our feature on the country’s best examples will help you understand why they’re so tasty—and clue you in on the bottles to buy. And North America isn’t the only continent making rye whisky: discover the European, Asian, and Australian distillers who are innovating with the grain.

Also in this issue, we explore why cask-strength scotch offers an ideal drinking experience, the best rye-based cocktails, the allure of rum cask finishes, and spirits made from rye that aren’t actually whisky. Plus, there are over 150 reviews in the...

Bourye, High West’s blend of bourbon and rye whiskeys, was once a national release, but that ended in 2019 as the distillery ran low on its aged sourced stock. (It also had a three-year hiatus from 2012 to 2015 after its original 2009 launch, as the distillery tinkered with the blend.) Since then, Bourye—when available—has been limited to Utah, and with the latest release, it narrows that field even further, becoming a distillery exclusive. 
This year’s Bourye is a blend of straight rye and straight bourbon whiskeys aged for a minimum of 10 years. Two ryes are in the blend; one is sourced from MGP and uses a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, and the other is own-make from High West’s Wanship distillery that’s made from 80% rye and 20% malted rye. As for the bourbons in the blend, one comes from MGP and uses a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, and the second is sourced from Kentucky and made from a mashbill of...

Established in 2017, Japan’s Kaikyō Distillery is still waiting for the whisky for its Hatozaki brand to mature. In the meantime, Kaikyō has relied on sourced whisky—from Japan but also from other countries—to craft its expressions, blending and finishing them in Japanese native woods.
The initial Hatozaki releases were Finest Blended and a blended malt whisky called Small Batch Pure Malt. The newest limited release, Hatozaki Omakase Third Edition, is a rye sourced from the United States.  Kaikyō purchased aged barrels of American rye whiskeys from distilleries in two states. After being blended together, the liquid was re-barreled in new mizunara casks for an undisclosed period of time and then bottled at 42% ABV. 
The new Hatozaki expression is noteworthy because it uses rye as a base. Few Japanese producers have worked with rye in the past—of note, Hakushu released a 100% rye single grain whisky under the Essence of Suntory banner in...

After several high-octane weeks, where the pace of new releases seldom faltered, we have a quieter week here, with just five new whiskies. Aberfeldy, the sole new scotch, has continued its exploration of wine casks, releasing a 15 year old single malt finished in Bolgheri red wine barrels. In Tennessee, Jack Daniel Distillery has added another whiskey to its coveted Single Barrel Special Release Series, this one a rye. Kentucky is well represented with five new whiskeys: three are from Beam, which has launched the latest terroir-driven series under its Hardin's Creek label; another comes from blender Frank August, which has a new Case Study bourbon; and the last is a blend of bourbons and ryes from independent bottler High n' Wicked. 
Aberfeldy 15 year old Bolgheri Red Wine Cask Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch
ABV: 46%
SRP: $85
Availability: Limited; specialist retailers; imported by Bacardi
Tuscany is known for its breathtaking landscapes...

Where It's From
Canada, of course! Whisky is made in several of Canada's provinces.
What It's Made Of
Canadian whisky can be made of any cereal grain, and a finished product typically blends several types of whisky—such as wheat, corn, and rye—which are all milled, mashed, fermented, distilled, and matured separately.
How It's Made
Canadian regulations state that anything labeled as Canadian whisky, Canadian rye whisky, or rye whisky must:

Be made from a mash of cereal grain or cereal grain products;
Be aged in “small wood” (less than 700 liters) for at least 3 years;
Possess the aroma, taste, and character generally attributed to Canadian whisky;
Be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canada;
Contain no less than 40% ABV.

Canadian whisky may contain added caramel coloring and flavoring. In fact, Canadian whisky can contain up to 9.09% added flavoring, as long as it's a spirit aged at least 2 years in wood or a...

The whiskey brand co-founded by Bob Dylan, Heaven's Door, announced that it has a few more bottles of its 10 year old Tennessee bourbon for sale, priced at $130. In addition, there's another limited-edition offering coming: a 25 year old whiskey finished in mizunara oak casks. The first release in The Bootleg Series, this whiskey will come out later in 2019, priced at $500. We'll provide more details as they become available.If you're looking for new whiskies to buy now, however, you're in the right place. First up, Glenmorangie has changed the recipe for Quinta Ruban, adding two years to its age statement. The single malt will now age for about 12 years in bourbon casks, before a roughly 2-year finishing period in port casks. The price, however, stays the same at $55, and it will be as widely available as before. Simultaneously, Glenmorangie has updated the packaging for Lasanta to better highlight its 12 year old age statement.The Orphan Barrel range of "forgotten" whiskies has...

Whiskies come and go, and while new releases are always heralded, expressions that are phased out get much less attention. But earlier this week, High West announced plans to discontinue Yippee Ki-Yay, its blend of ryes finished in vermouth and syrah barrels. Bottles can still be found on shelves, so if you're a fan, snatch them up when you see them.Moving on to new releases, which this week all come from these United States.Westland Distillery announced a new series called the Outpost Collection, which will encompass the existing Garryana expression ($150) as well as two new single malt whiskeys: Colere ($150), coming in the spring of 2021, and Solum, which won't be ready until 2023. All of these whiskeys will be released annually in limited amounts.Sagamore Spirit is also launching a new range called Distiller's Select, starting with Manhattan Finish, a rye finished in select barrel types to impart the classic cocktail's flavors. The whiskey is available in limited amounts, priced...

The Summer 2022 issue of the magazine hit newsstands on Tuesday, offering over 100 whisky reviews. We've compiled some of those reviews into two website lists: Summer 2022 Collectibles, and Summer 2022 Best Values. Look out for more such Summer 2022 Buying Guide lists in the weeks to come.
In the world of new whisky, there's plenty to look explore. From across the pond, Bushmills has debuted a collaboration with British television series "Peaky Blinders" ahead of its final season, while Benriach is releasing three single cask expressions—for the first time ever—in the U.S. From our own backyard, High West has unveiled its limited edition release of Rendezvous Rye, and Nevada's Frey Ranch also has a new rye, this one a  single barrel, cask strength expression. Read on for full details.

Bushmills Prohibition Recipe
Style: BlendedOrigin: IrelandAge: Not statedABV: 46%Price: $30Release: June 2022Availability: Limited; nationwide
Need to...

The drumbeat of craft distillery acquisitions continues, as this week brought news of Maryland rye maker Sagamore Spirit being acquired by Illva Saronno, the Italian drinks company best known for its Disaronno amaretto liqueur brand. Sagamore's story is one that any whisky lover can appreciate: it was founded by the deep-pocketed Kevin Plank, famous for his Under Armour sportswear brand, who spared no expense in launching Sagamore's distillery on Baltimore's waterfront back in 2017. From the start, the company has been serious about its mission to restore Maryland rye's reputation, and its own-make whiskey is just now starting to come of age. In an interesting twist, yesterday Illva Saronno also unveiled a new amaro label called Sagamore Spirit Amaro, which includes Sagamore Spirit rye distillate.
Earlier this week, Diageo announced the fourth release of its coveted Prima & Ultima whiskies. This year's edition marks the first time this collection of...

At any given time, Buffalo Trace has upward of 15 whiskey brands on offer, ranging from straight bourbons to ryes to wheaters and white dog (unaged whiskey). Within those styles, there are numerous legacy labels, and within those labels, various offshoots, whether cask strength iterations, assorted age statements, or newfangled finishes. With so many whiskeys in the arsenal, you might think the distillery is working with all sorts of recipes—but in fact, it relies on just four key mashbills, plus a few outliers that are utilized far less frequently, as in, say, the one-off releases that populate the Experimental Collection. Technically, Buffalo Trace's recipes are tightly held secrets—no one but master distiller Harlen Wheatley and the distilling team are privy to the exact details of each mashbill—but savvy whiskey drinkers come to their own conclusions on the basic makeup of each.
Mashbill #1 (Bourbon)
The first of Buffalo Trace’s mashbills is the...

Bardstown-based Willett Distillery is known for its long-held status as a premier non-distiller producer. When the late, longtime owners, Even Kulsveen and his wife Martha, took control of the distillery in 1984, the stills had long since gone cold—halted in the late 1970s amid an industry downturn. Kulsveen kept the business afloat by buying up quality well-aged bourbons and ryes, most of which he bottled and sold as exports to Japan. In 2008, Willett came back into the picture stateside with the introduction of its now-iconic Willett Family Estate (WFE) label, often including ultra-aged single barrels that Kulsveen had picked in the prior decades. Even today, those Willett bottlings command eye-popping prices on the secondary market: a trio of bottles sold for a combined $42,000 this past July. 
While its sourced releases continue to live in the spotlight, Willett has been focused on resurrecting its own production, restarting the stills in 2012. Those efforts have...

On March 23rd, whiskey lovers of the Midwest will convene for WhiskyFest Chicago, the first WhiskyFest event of 2018. As always, hundreds of whiskies will be available at the event, and attendees can range freely between scotch, bourbon, Japanese whiskies, and many other whiskey styles—including the big tent of American craft whiskey. As craft whiskey has matured, small producers can now stand toe-to-toe with much more established distilleries. A number of craft distilleries from all around the country will be pouring at WhiskyFest Chicago, so you can sample the wide variety of styles now being made. Here are some of our top picks.Also, be sure to check out the full list of pours and the lineup of free seminars. And read our tips for navigating WhiskyFest like a pro. If you don't have your tickets yet, it's not too late!Kentucky PeerlessCraft whiskey is made all over the country, and that includes traditional whiskey-making states like Kentucky. In fact, Louisville-based Kentucky...

While only a single bottle of the special 50 year old Chivas Regal commemorating Manchester United's 1968 European Cup win will be available for purchase, there are many other whiskies with much greater availability to look forward to this week.First up, High West is rolling out the 2018 batch of A Midwinter Night's Dram. This year, the blend of straight ryes finished in French oak port casks also includes some of High West's own whiskey. Priced at $100, it is for sale nationwide.If you're a polo fan, Royal Salute has a special-edition 21 year old blend celebrating beach polo. The whisky, which is softly peated, costs $140 and is currently expanding beyond travel retail.Virginia's Catoctin Creek Distillery has announced its first bottled in bond rye. Rabble Rouser will be released in February in honor of the distillery's tenth anniversary. Limited amounts of the whiskey will be sold for $96 at the distillery, as well as more widely.Near to Catoctin Creek, Virginia Distillery Co. is...

In a week that's seen more upheaval and distress than even the preceding three months could have prepared us for, at least one thing remains steady: whisky. And even though it seems less important than the swirl of events happening in the world, whisky can still play a role in our lives. If you're eager to support Black-owned businesses, consider buying a whisky made by one of these producers. Or donate to the GoFundMe set up by Chris and Shanelle Montana of Du Nord Craft Spirits, whose Minneapolis distillery was damaged last week; they've received such an outpouring of support that they're giving away the funds to other local minority-owned businesses.This week is light on new releases, but there are a few. First up, That Boutique-y Whisky Co. is offering a tasting pack of four single malt scotches (50 ml each) from distilleries whose whisky usually goes into blends: Teaninich 11 year old, Auchroisk 12 year old, Linkwood 10 year old, and Dufftown 10 year old. Those who purchase the...

Scotch whisky fans were celebrating this week as the long-silent Brora Distillery in the Scottish Highlands opened its doors for the first time since 1983. We covered the historic reopening ceremony, and Whisky Advocate auction expert Jonny McCormick took the opportunity to study some of the distillery’s rarest expressions in our “What’s It Worth?” series.For those looking for a more accessible dram, this week’s roundup of new whiskies has plenty on offer. Cask finishing and brand collaborations are the main events, with Lagavulin teaming up with Guinness for a new release and Heaven’s Door working with Redbreast on a new bourbon with an Irish touch. Read on for full details.Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask FinishStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Islay)Age: 11 year oldABV: 46%Price: $80Release: June 2021Availability: Limited editionNeed to know:Lagavulin Offerman Edition first debuted in October 2019. This iteration, created in collaboration with actor Nick...

Whisky lovers in the Chicago area are in for a treat tonight as WhiskyFest returns to the Hyatt Regency for an evening of unforgettable whiskies, informational seminars, and access to whisky makers from around the globe. Tickets are still available with a number of rare pours and Whiskies of the Year offered during VIP hour and throughout the night. Come taste hard-to-find pours from Buffalo Trace, Ardbeg, Nikka, and more, or discover something new on the WhiskyFest floor.Those looking to simply sip something new at home have a number of options this week. Bushmills returns with its second Rare Cask bottling, a 29 year old single malt finished in Pedro Ximénez casks; Chicken Cock is dropping a rum-finished rye just in time for the summer; and Brad Paisley's American Highway Reserve announces its second release, a blend of Kentucky and Georgia straight bourbons. Read on for full details. 

Bushmills The Rare Casks 29 year old Pedro Ximénez...

It's a big weekend for cigar and whisky lovers, as Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest makes its return to Hollywood, Florida tomorrow, Saturday, March 4. We previewed some of the whiskies being poured, seminars being held, and cigar stars in attendance, but it is truly an event you have to take in for yourself, combining two worlds into one extraordinary night. 
Meanwhile, with St. Patrick's Day approaching, it's another big week for Irish whiskey. Waterford brings its Cuvée series global with Argot, Method and Madness has a 60% rye and 40% unmalted barley whiskey coming to the U.S., and Writers' Tears announces its second new release in as many weeks with the 2023 edition of its cask strength whiskey. Plus, Westland unveils Solum Edition 1 and WhistlePig drops its first-ever single malt. Read on for full details. 
 
Waterford Cuvée: Argot
Style: Single malt
Origin: Ireland
Age: Not stated
ABV: 47%
Price...

Whisky lovers will descend on New York's Marriott Marquis on November 16 for the 20th anniversary of WhiskyFest. With nearly 500 whiskies (and even a few other spirits and wine) available, there will be something for everyone, whether you're a scotch lover, a craft whiskey fan, a whiskey veteran looking to try the next big thing, or a bourbon aficionado. If bourbon is your drink of choice, you'll have a vast array to choose from—so where do you start?Many folks will head straight for the Pappy Van Winkle table—especially since the 2017 releases are just coming out. If you're thirsting for a chance to taste this legendary bourbon, step behind the velvet rope and enjoy. And close by will be the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, another must-try for new drinkers and old fans alike.And there's so much more! It's impossible to call out every great whiskey that's being poured—it's definitely not possible to drink them all—but we've selected a few highlights you should aim to try.If...

While Loch Lomond Distillery's partnership with The Open is set to include a host of new whisky releases, we'll have to wait until this summer for the first one to be revealed. In the meantime, there are plenty of other new releases to tide over thirsty whisky lovers.The whiskey word of the week is bonded. Heaven Hill Distillery—maker of Whisky Advocate's 2017 Whisky of the Year, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof—is about to debut the first in a series of limited-edition Old Fitzgerald bottled in bond bourbons. Every spring and fall, Heaven Hill will roll out a new Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond, each with a different age. The wheated bourbon brand has long included a non-age statement bonded expression, but these special editions will each be much older than the requisite 4 years and available in limited quantities. The first release is priced at $110.That's not the only new bonded whiskey, however. Old Overholt—one of the most storied whiskeys in America, and the last link to the...

Crank up the subwoofers and get ready to rock and roll: Metallica has its own whiskey, and it was created in part by the band's music. A blend of straight American whiskeys selected and blended by master distiller Dave Pickerell, Blackened was put through a proprietary "sonic enhancement" process that used Metallica songs to create sound waves that impact chemical reactions taking place in the aging whiskey. Coming out in late September, the whiskey will be available in a handful of states and online for $43.Less glitzy but equally exciting: Four Roses has announced its 2018 Limited-Edition Small Batch. This year's release celebrates the distillery's 130th anniversary. With just over 13,000 bottles available and priced at $140, expect it to be in high demand among both Four Roses fans and collectors.Speaking of collecting, Highland Park has unveiled its second-ever 50 year old whisky. A mere 274 bottles, packaged with a custom crystal decanter, will be available at $15,000 apiece.Back...

There's so much new whisky coming out, it's hard to know where to start! First things first: Blood Oath is releasing its first three "pacts"—annual batches—in a special gift pack for the holidays. Just 900 of the trilogy packs will be for sale nationwide for $599. Whisky Advocate's Buying Guide scored Pact No. 1 82 points, Pact No. 2 88 points, and Pact No. 3 89 points.Buffalo Trace Distillery has unveiled a new range of experimental bourbons as part of its Old Charter brand. The distillery has been experimenting with different types of oak for years, and the Old Charter Oak range will showcase some of the biggest successes, starting with Mongolian Oak. Different releases will have different availability, but in general, the whiskeys will be distributed nationwide. Mongolian Oak is priced at $70.The Heaven's Door brand—created in partnership with Bob Dylan—is releasing a 10 year old Tennessee straight bourbon. Available in limited amounts, it costs $130.Two new single malt...

The biggest new whisky news of the week was Diageo's unveiling of its 2019 Special Releases. Well, sort of. The scotch mega-company revealed the names of this year's whiskies, but nothing else—and the pickings look a little slim.We should get more information about those whiskies come fall, but for now, there are plenty of new releases with full details to anticipate. First up, Woodford Reserve is rounding out its core lineup with a wheat whiskey, priced at $35 and hitting shelves across the country now.Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest has a new release, aged 7 years and priced at $50. Uncle Nearest 1884 is named for the year that Nearest Green likely stopped distilling.The 2019 edition of Parker's Heritage Collection from Heaven Hill Distillery will hit shelves in September, and for the first time ever, it's a rye. Parker's Heritage Collection Heavy Char rye was aged in level-5 charred oak barrels and matured for over 8 years. It's available in limited amounts for...

Earlier this week, we spoke with distilleries in the U.S. and Scotland about the implications of coronavirus-related operations changes for the future availability of their whiskies. Most big companies are optimistic that current interruptions aren't going to impact the availability of bottles down the road, but that's not the case for everyone. Read more about the situation, and what it means for whisky lovers, in our in-depth report.Of course, COVID-19 has changed the way people are drinking whisky right now. With more virtual tastings and Zoom events popping up every week, a couple of whiskey companies are getting extra creative to keep fans engaged, opening up their blending processes to input from the public. Ireland's Chapel Gate Whiskey Co., which makes J.J. Corry, will create a crowd-sourced blend called The Lock In, sending blend samples to participants who will vote on their favorite. Once bottled, the whiskey will be available widely for sale. If you're interested in taking...

Many American whiskeys tout their history and authenticity, but few can lay claim to their actual birthplace. Old Overholt can. First made in western Pennsylvania in the early 1800s by Abraham Overholt, one of the rye whiskey's earliest distilleries still stands at West Overton Museums in Scottsdale, a living history site that traces the area's evolution from agrarian to industrial, with a particular emphasis on the founding Overholt family. Now, Old Overholt parent company Beam Suntory is partnering with West Overton to ensure that the whiskey's role in that story continues to be highlighted and supported.“It always felt like a no-brainer to us,” says Jon Marks, brand director for small batch at Beam Suntory, explaining that Beam Suntory feels a duty to help maintain such an important piece of Old Overholt's history. “We are stewards of this brand. We own this brand today, and it's our responsibility to do right by it.”Jessica Kadie-Barclay, CEO of West Overton Museums, says...

Many drinkers are quick to inspect the back label of a whiskey bottle to determine the origin of the liquid inside—whether it was actually distilled by the people who sell it or if it was sourced from elsewhere.Often, the answer is both.That's the approach taken by Smooth Ambler Spirits and its aptly named Contradiction bourbon—a blend of straight bourbons combining about one-third house-distilled whiskey with the balance sourced from another distiller.While a popular approach now, this was once a novel idea, says national sales and marketing director John Foster, who has been with Smooth Ambler since 2009. “At first there were two camps,” he says. “You either made everything from scratch and everybody else was a poser, or you sourced everything and pretended you made it.” Sourcing was not part of Smooth Ambler's original plan.How Open Should Brands Be About Sourcing? Our Editors DebateSometimes however, serendipity leads to success. “Contradiction is our most popular...

We first reported on Brother's Bond bourbon, the new whiskey from actors Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, back in January, and as of this month, the four grain whiskey has wider availability. We spoke to Somerhalder and Wesley about the friendship that led to this whiskey's creation.As for new whiskies this week, there are plenty from all around the globe. Michter's is releasing its annual 10 year old bourbon. Priced at $150, it is highly limited.Kentucky's New Riff Distilling has a 6 year old malted rye available in-state for now at $60.The Singleton is releasing its oldest whisky to date. There are just 235 bottles of 54 year old single malt available worldwide, priced at $40,100.Even more limited is Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter 2 with just 70 bottles going for $45,000.Tullibardine is introducing two new single malts to the U.S., a 12 year old for $45 and the no age statement Artisan for $30. Both are widely available.Independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail has...

It's a big weekend for whisky lovers out west. For the first time in three years, Stranahan's is staging its Snowflake Festival at the distillery in Denver to celebrate the latest release of its Snowflake single malt. The festivities kick off today, and bottles will go on sale tomorrow morning. Tonight is the first-ever WhiskyFest Las Vegas, with whiskies being poured by Bruichladdich, WhistlePig, Hibiki, and many others, and seminars by whisky makers including Dewar's, Maker's Mark, and Suntory.
WhiskyFest is a great way to taste whiskies as soon as they're released, and this week there are some notable names with new expressions. George Dickel brings back its 17 year old Tennessee whiskey, now with wider distribution, and Heaven Hill announces the latest Parker's Heritage release, a blend of aged bourbons. Meanwhile, Johnnie Walker has debuted its latest bottling for the Lunar New Year, which celebrates the Year of the...

Summer is getaway time, and if London is on your radar screen, check out our London travel guide. If Ireland is in the plan, consider a side trip to Northern Ireland, where Belfast is reviving its old reputation as a whiskey city and other parts of the north are in renaissance mode as well. Read all about it in our profile of the distilleries of Northern Ireland. Of course, if you're staying close to home, you'll have a chance to keep an eye on the latest new releases. This week marked the arrival of two new single malt scotches from Benromach, a new bonded bourbon has joined the Old Forester 117 Series,  Lux Row is offering a new four-grain bourbon, and new American Single Malts are out from Dogfish Head, Copperworks, and Old Line. Meanwhile, Lost Lantern is unveiling its Summer of Bourbon, a collection of eight bourbons from distilleries around the country. Read on for further details.
Old Forester...

This week’s big news is a new tequila-finished Tennessee whiskey from Jack Daniel Distillery, though unfortunately the size of the release doesn’t quite match the magnitude of the headlines. The tequila finish is part of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series, a succession of experimental whiskeys that are packaged in 375 ml bottles and sold only at the distillery and a few Tennessee retailers. We wish Jack would make these experiments more widely available, but can’t complain, as we’ve seen some serious innovation from the Lynchburg, Tennessee distillery in recent years, including its 10 and 12 year old releases, as well as a Tennessee rye and a limited run American single malt.
Elsewhere, Garrison Brothers is out with Laguna Madre, its annual aged bourbon release that's highly sought-after. And it’s rock and roll time, as Catoctin Creek offers another release in its Ragnarök Rye series, and Lynyrd Skynyrd turns it up with Hell...

In scotch whisky, Ardbeg has a new release in its Anthology Collection and Jura offers a rye cask finished single malt—an expression that's been available overseas for the last two years and now arrives on U.S. shores. Among American whiskeys, we welcome a new release in Old Forester's 117 series, this one finished in rum casks. The 117 Series has done particularly well with our tasting panel, the last  one scoring 94 points. Elsewhere, Iowa whiskey maker Cedar Ridge aims for a cigar pairing with its latest American single malt, while Chattanooga offers a new bottled in bond expression. Penelope, meanwhile, is back with its popular Toasted Rye, and Delaware brewer/distiller Dogfish Head becomes the latest American whiskey maker to try its hand at amburana finishing. 
 
Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn’s Tale 14 year old Scotch Single Malt
ABV: 46%
SRP: $160
Availability: Limited; ardbeg.com, the...

There’s a wintry feel in this latest round of new releases, led by New Riff’s latest Winter Whisky offering, as well as two new stout cask finished expressions—one from Nelson’s Green Brier in Nashville and the other from distiller-brewer Town Branch in Lexington, Kentucky. Then we have a honey barrel-finished bourbon from North Carolina distiller Southern Star, inaugural releases from Distillery of Modern Art, based in Chamblee, Georgia, another shot to get your hands on World Whiskey Society's 13 year old Wyatt Earp Hazmat Edition, and whiskey-based liqueurs. Plenty to add to your Black Friday shopping list!
New Riff Winter Whiskey Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV: 50%
SRP: $55
Availability: Limited
A seasonal release first introduced in 2020, New Riff Winter Wheat is made from a mashbill of 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel-cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt. As with many of New Riff’s whiskeys...

This week's new releases feature a new edition of Blue Run's Flight Series, a collection of six whiskeys made in micro-batches, with each "flight"  made from a maximum of four barrels. The concept aims to poke fun at the term "small batch," which isn't legally defined and rarely reveals details on the quantities of each batch. On the tasting front, this new Flight Series contrasts bourbon and rye-led mashbills, and showcases their differences. Elsewhere in Kentucky, New Riff celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, and it bottled a commemorative bourbon and rye to mark the occasion. Both are now out, though at the distillery only. Meanwhile, Irish whiskey Proper No. Twelve climbs the age ladder with a new 13 year old single malt to show that it can be a contender, while scotch whiskies Glen Grant and Macallan have new ultra-aged offerings.  
Blue Run Flight Series III Blended American
ABV: Varies
SRP: $125
Availability...

This week's new release round-up features American whiskeys, led by a port cask finished blend from Woodford Reserve and a California red wine cask finish from Rebel. Elijah Craig has dropped the second barrel proof batch of the year, while Nashville pitmaster Carey Bringle is offering a 15 year old rye. Elsewhere, Cedar Ridge has a new single malt finished in a multiplicity of casks, while other new offerings are from Frank August, Spirit Hound, Milam & Greene, and World Whiskey Society. And in a separate story, we cover two distillers who've announced releases honoring the U.S. military.
 
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Tawny Port Finish Blend
ABV: 45.2%
SRP: $65/375 ml
Availability: Limited
Master distiller Elizabeth McCall’s newest Woodford Distillery Series release first combined rye and bourbon together. From there, McCall added a tawny port-finished bourbon to the blend; once that was married, she balanced the...

Everyone who enjoys whisky likely knows how to make a proper Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sour, and other classic whisky cocktails. For one, they've stood the test of time—whereas the latest trendy drink is often only popular because it looks cool on Instagram, classics have been perfected, so you know they taste good. For another, most are easy to make yet impressive to serve to guests. 
At the same time, you can respect the classics while letting them serve as a starting point. The majority of contemporary cocktails are variations on these standards, and experimentation can lead to delicious results.
An easy place to start is by switching up the whisky you use as the base. “Swapping in different whisky styles lets you explore how [a whisky’s] grain, distillation, and aging change a cocktail’s whole character,” says Jason Hedges, director of beverage for LT Hospitality. “Just like jazz musicians state the basic theme before launching into...

Around 2010, the realization that bourbon does not have to be made in Kentucky took hold; bourbon was being produced in nearly every U.S. state. The topics of sourced whiskey, no age statement, and transparency were hot. Whisky lovers pursued knowledge about whisky and their favorite brands. Innovation and experimentation have become a norm unlike ever before.
2010
❖ The number of craft distillery openings begins to explode, with some of the more high-profile ones being Woodinville and Westland in Washington, Dad’s Hat reviving rye whiskey in Pennsylvania, Santa Fe Spirits in New Mexico, Breuckelen and King’s County in New York, Mississippi River in Iowa, Union Horse in Kansas, Rock Town in Arkansas, Ole Smoky in Tennessee, and Firestone & Robertson in Texas.

❖ Malt Advocate magazine, which launched in 1997, is acquired by M. Shanken Communications. The magazine would be redesigned in the following year and rebranded...

Style diversity is a key characteristic of American craft whiskey, but most have one thing in common: youth. They are generally young compared to what the legacy producers deliver, lacking the years in a barrel that lead to mature-tasting whisky. No one has solved the aging puzzle either. Young whiskeys taste young.Unlike most other countries, there is no minimum wood aging duration for American whiskey. Any amount of wood contact will suffice. One type of whiskey, corn whiskey, doesn't need to be aged at all.American whiskey making tradition has deep roots. Fifty years ago, when bourbon sales slumped, several large producers petitioned federal regulators to change certain whiskey labeling rules. One proposal, in imitation of foreign practice, would have imposed a minimum age requirement.The regulators demurred, stating that, “No need was established for a minimum age requirement for current domestic types of whisky.” The ruling further observed that, “there are no appreciable...

Whisky: it's so hot right now. Especially if it's finished in Tabasco hot sauce barrels, which is the case with a new flavored whiskey from Tennessee's George Dickel. In fact, "Hot Dickel" takes things even further by blending in distilled Tabasco, creating a spicy spirit with a capsaicin kick. If you're into it, the whiskey is a permanent part of Dickel's lineup and will cost $25.For those who don't like to mingle condiments and whisky, there's a new blended American whiskey from Hotaling & Co. (formerly Anchor Distilling), makers of Old Potrero. The blend includes Old Potrero 18th-Century Style Whiskey, Old Potrero Straight Malt Whiskey Finished in Port Casks, and Kentucky bourbon. Called J.H. Cutter after a historic whiskey brand, the 48% ABV whiskey costs $50 and is available in a handful of states.From Scotland come two new single malts in the Port Askaig line: an 8 year old and a 14 year old. Each sourced from a different, undisclosed single malt distillery on Islay, the...

When we think about cocktails, the base spirit usually comes to mind first. But the Sazerac began with its bitters.In the late 1700s, Antoine Amédée Peychaud immigrated to New Orleans from Haiti, bringing with him a recipe for bitters. When he opened a pharmacy in the 1830s, he began serving his bitters medicinally with sugar and cognac.“Eventually people began asking for Peychaud's bitters about town,” says cocktail historian Elizabeth Pearce, author of Drink Dat New Orleans. “One place [that had them] was the Sazerac Bar, located in the 100 block of Royal Street.” This bar combined the bitters with sugar and a brand of cognac called Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils to make what became known as the Sazerac cocktail.In the 1870s, French grapevines were hit by a destructive louse called phylloxera, devastating their ability to produce, and cognac became much more expensive. So Maryland native Thomas Handy, owner of the Sazerac Bar, began swapping out the cognac for Maryland Club rye...

If you missed our big announcement on Monday, check it out: We're bidding a grateful farewell to executive editor Jeffery Lindenmuth and welcoming in his place David Fleming, a longtime member of the Whisky Advocate blind tasting panel and experienced whisky writer. This doesn't mean any big changes are coming to Whisky Advocate; we'll still be bringing you the latest news, insights, reviews, and other whisky content in print and online.Speaking of latest news, on to the week's new releases. First up, The Last Drop has unveiled its second bourbon release, a whiskey distilled in 1980 at what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery. There are 240 bottles of the 20 year old bourbon available, with a recommended price of $4,600.Islay's Bruichladdich is rolling out the latest edition of Black Art, distilled in 1994. The single malt scotch is priced at $450, with 12,000 bottles available.Bruichladdich neighbor Kilchoman Distillery is launching two new single malts: Fino Sherry Matured ($130;...

As sure as crocuses and daffodils bloom in early spring, new whiskies are sprouting up left and right.First up, Compass Box is releasing its latest limited-edition blended malt, Menagerie. There are 7,741 bottles available, priced at $120 in the U.S.The 2021 bottling of Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Batch Proof is hitting shelves with a suggested price of $130. It is, as always, available in limited amounts.Barrell's newest blend of ryes is called Seagrass. It's available in limited amounts, priced at $90.Blood Oath bourbon is rolling out Pact No. 7. Priced at $100, there are 51,000 bottles available.Lowlands scotch distillery Bladnoch has debuted its 29 year old Bicentennial single malt in the U.S. There are just 200 bottles available, priced at $7,500.Virginia Distillery Co. is launching three new versions of its Courage & Conviction single malt, each focused on one of the cask types that's used in the flagship whiskey: bourbon, sherry, and cuvée. The whiskeys are priced...

Tennessee whiskey has long been led by Jack Daniel's and George Dickel, but in recent years a new crop of distillers has brought fresh excitement to the scene, while both Jack and Dickel have been upping their game with innovative releases. Get started with one of these 12 Tennessee whiskeys, brush up on the Lincoln County Process of charcoal filtration that gives the style its identity, and learn why Nashville is increasingly becoming a whiskey destination.As for new whiskies this week, Kentucky is leading the way. Limestone Branch Distillery has unveiled the 2022 release of its Yellowstone Limited Edition bourbon; there's a new venture from Jackie Zykan and Royce Neeley called Hidden Barn; and Blue Run Spirits drops Batch 2 of its Golden Rye. Read on for full details.

Yellowstone Limited Edition (2022 Release)
Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 50.5%Price: $100Release: September 2022Availability: Limited; 30,000 bottles
Need to know:
The...

The Vendome pot stills at Michter’s Fort Nelson distillery in Louisville have had quite a life. They were built in 1976, and first made whiskey in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, for Pennco Distillery—a contract distiller whose clients included a small brand called Michter’s. How did those very stills end up in Kentucky, and what other hands did they pass through? We detailed their origin story, and how they ultimately landed with Joseph Magliocco, owner of the Michter's brand today.
There’s new whisky aplenty this week, starting with the annual Ardbeg Day single malt, this one a particularly peaty dram. Elsewhere, Crown Royal returns with the final edition of its Noble Collection, and Proof and Wood has another Polish rye in the offing. Read on for full details.
Ardbeg Heavy Vapours
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 46%

The new $1,000 Prohibition Collection from Buffalo Trace Distillery wouldn’t have happened were it not for a lucky employee who combed through a dusty box earmarked for the dumpster a few years back. Inside? A mint condition copy of every single label the distillery released during Prohibition.
Those very labels now adorn the walls of the Stagg Lodge, a log cabin that doubles as an invite-only dining and entertainment venue on the Buffalo Trace’s Frankfort, Kentucky, grounds. Here, you can see some of the original art for the likes of Walnut Hill Whiskey—one of the 2023 releases—but plenty of Prohibition brands that didn’t make this round, including Old Barbee, billed as “the nonpareil of American whiskeys,” or V.O.P., Very Oldest Procurable whiskey, touted as being “pure because it’s straight.”

And it’s here, within the Stagg Lodge walls, that we’re issued a flight of the Prohibition...

Age is the thing in this week’s lineup of American whiskey releases, with Michter’s unveiling the latest release of its 25 year old bourbon—always an occasion to be noted. The 25 year old hasn’t appeared since 2020, and it's a rare pour indeed that can be tough to procure at retail, though it can be found on the best whisky lists in bars and restaurants throughout the land. Either way, it's quite the holiday treat. Then there is Old Forester, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary—not with a 150 year old bourbon, but with a 150-month old bourbon, bottled in throwback holiday decanters, with just 150 bottles available. This is the good stuff that was once bottled only for the owner's family, and this one comes with quite the package of perks, as you'll read below. Elsewhere, Dickel is out with its first 18 year old bourbon, while Barrell gets a jump on things with its Bourbon New Year 2024. There's more to...

We’ve recently received several announcements from smaller players whose latest expressions are set to hit shelves in the coming weeks. 15 Stars has a new First West bottling, but this one isn’t a rye; Hard Truth is releasing a collaborative blended whiskey which uses its new bourbon as a component; and Jos. A Magnus has debuted the fourth iteration of its exclusive Murray Hill Special Release Blend. 
15 Stars First West Bourbon 
The father-son-operated 15 Stars was born and bred in 2019 to pay homage to Kentucky’s history as a mecca for whiskey production. The blending house, which makes its blends with help from Bardstown Bourbon Co., launched a sherry cask-finished bourbon in September that earned a score of 91 points. A few weeks ago, 15 Stars released new batches of First West rye and Private Stock bourbon. Now, it’s bringing another new First West whiskey to market—but this time, it’s a bourbon. 
First West...

As the 20th century came to a close, the page was turned on an era of historic lows in whisky’s popularity. At that point, the “buzz” surrounding whisky—to use a now-dated term of the ’90s—was nearly at zero. But as the years moved into the 2000s, a sea change began as the whisky world awakened from its decades-long slumber. Few people realized this was the dawn of a new era that would soar beyond everyone’s wildest expectations—where master distillers became rock stars, whisky lovers lined up all night for the latest releases, and distilleries became tourist destinations. Here’s a look at how we got here, year by year.

2000


❖ The Glencairn whisky glass makes its debut, with a wider introduction starting the following year. The glass had been designed in 1981 by Raymond Davidson at his crystal studio just outside Glasgow, but he saw no future in it. His prototype sat on the shelf for nearly 20 years...

January’s auctions confounded expectations, delivering impressive results that cut through the post-holiday lull. This list of the 20 highest hammer prices achieved a combined value of $984,579, up 20% compared to January 2025. Sotheby’s record-breaking auction of The Great American Whiskey Collection set a new record hammer price for American whiskey, with a bid of $130,000 for the Old Rip Van Winkle 1982 20 year old for Sam’s Wines & Spirits. This overtook the 6-liter bottle of O.F.C. 1982, a former NFT release, that took $122,900 at Unicorn Auctions, and last year’s $100,000 winning bid at Sotheby’s for the Old Rip Van Winkle Van Winkle Selection.
Dalmore produced January’s highest-value single malt scotch at auction, with Dalmore Constellation Collection 1964 46 year old attracting a hammer price of $67,622. WVA Whisky Auctions had a bottle of Macallan 1937 The Golden Age of Travel – The Ocean Liner in their auction, a rebottling...

This week's newest whiskies are all for the bourbon, rye, and scotch lovers.First up, Basil Hayden's is rolling out a limited-edition whiskey. Two by Two is a blend of two straight ryes (aged 5 and 7 years) and two straight bourbons (aged 6 and 13 years), both made in Kentucky and blended together. The whiskey costs $45 and will be available for a limited time.Meanwhile, Heaven Hill has announced a 27 year old bourbon that will go on sale this fall. Less than 3,000 bottles of this whiskey will be available at a price of $399. Bourbon history buffs should note that it was distilled at Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery before the 1996 fire which destroyed the distillery and seven warehouses (and about 2% of the world's stock of bourbon at that time).Over in Scotland, GlenAllachie Distillery has unveiled its core range of single malt whiskies: 10 year old cask strength, 12 year old, 18 year old, and 25 year old. While the older whiskies will be available in limited amounts, the 10 year...

When Peter Buccilli first met Jay Turner, he didn't catch his last name, but he knew what type of whisky he liked. The two whisky fans were introduced by Kevin Cooper, Buccilli's brother-in-law, at a whisky event in 2015 and struck up a friendship as they all tasted together.
“I was partial to bourbon and some Irish stuff, Kevin was into bourbons, and Jay was specific to rye,” Buccilli recalls. “Since I didn't even know Jay's last name, he was always ‘Jay Rye' to me. So he started calling me ‘Peter Bourbon' that very night.”
The three Michigan residents continued to taste together, attending in-person events at a local liquor store, and inviting friends and colleagues to the point that they were “taking things over,” Buccilli says. They held an in-person tasting at Cooper's house, but once the pandemic hit, getting together was no longer an option.
With the help of Whisky Advocate's Tasting Clubs issue (“It's earmarked...

Booker's Rye—68.1% ABV, $300Booker Noe accomplished many things in his career. When he passed away in 2004, rye whiskey was low on the list. Now, that has changed.Before he died, Booker filled 100 barrels that aged for 13 years in Jim Beam warehouses D and E. The end result is this year's American Whiskey of the Year, which ranks among the best whiskeys Booker ever made. In addition to high scores, these awards factor in trendsetting, ingenuity, and creativity, too. Plus, there's a nostalgia factor: this whiskey is one of our last connections to American whiskey's first “rock star” distiller.As I tasted the crème brûlée, with a sultry smokiness, raw honey, and nutmeg dusting I couldn't help but think, “What if Booker Noe did the same for rye that he did for bourbon?”MGP's 95% rye mashbills dominated the rye resurgence, and many new consumers assume rye should taste like those MGP products. We need more variety in American rye, and Booker's Rye is a great model for new...

The District of Columbia might be best known for hard-nosed politics and massive protests, but the hard-working men and women of the nation's capital can at least agree on one thing: the need to unwind with a whiskey. Already home to one of the world's best whiskey bars, Jack Rose Dining Saloon, D.C. now offers a thriving craft distilling culture, with several making the good stuff right in the heart of the city.There are half a dozen whiskey-producing distilleries in the nation's capital, and that's just in D.C. proper—no need to hit the beltway or figure out the difference between the inner loop and outer loop. Even better, four of those six distilleries are within half a mile of each other in the bustling Ivy City neighborhood, making it a cinch to visit them all in a single day.Hit the craft whiskey trail in Washington, D.C. at these six distilleries.
The Magnus Room at Jos. A Magnus & Co. is used for tastings, cocktail classes, and private events.The Ivy City Quartet...

Have you been following along with the Top 20 countdown? Whiskies 5-10 have all been revealed, and we'll unveil the the rest of the list next week. Join us for the countdown, and don't forget to enter the sweepstakes to win the top three whiskies!With the holiday shopping season officially underway, now's the time to start thinking about what whisky you want to give—or receive. (For whisky-related gifts that aren't actually bottles, though, check out our gift guide.) Several distillers are offering their whiskies in special holiday packaging, including Hibiki—which we wrote about previously—J. Rieger & Co., and Woodford Reserve. The special bottle for J. Rieger Kansas City whiskey was inspired by a 1910 advertisement for the original distillery and is festooned with holly and berries, as well as a jolly Santa Claus. The whiskey's price is $35, and it's also available as part of a holiday three-pack with J. Rieger's gin and vodka ($85). The label on Woodford Reserve's...

It's a mixed bag of whisky and whiskey this week.First up, MGP Distillery has unveiled a new brand called Eight & Sand. The whiskey is a blended bourbon, which includes both straight bourbon and other unspecified American whiskeys. It's hitting shelves in a dozen states for $30.Want to taste whisky from a long-dead distillery? Littlemill 40 year old, distilled in the waning days of the 1970s, is available from Loch Lomond Group. Just 250 bottles are being released, including 23 coming to the U.S. for the hefty, but round, price of $10,000.Two new whiskies from Germany are hitting U.S. shelves for the first time: Eifel single malt and Eifel rye are made in the western part of the country, distilled in both a column and a pot still, and aged in a variety of cask types. The single malt is $60, while the rye is $55, and both are bottled with no chill-filtration at 46% ABV.The Redneck Riviera brand, co-created by country music star John Rich of Big & Rich, has added a second...

In our Summer 2021 issue, we featured the rise of heavy metal rock musicians who collaborate with craft distillers to make their own whiskeys. That feature is now online, and as you'll find, this is more than a case of musicians jumping on the celebrity whisky bandwagon. In the story, members of Metallica, Slipknot, GWAR, and others explain their motivation for the move from drinking whisky to making it.As for this week's new whiskies, Michter's is bringing back its highly coveted 20 year old bourbon, Compass Box closes out its No Name series with its third and final edition, and Blue Run adds a high-rye bourbon to its lineup. Read on for full details.Compass Box No Name (No. 3)Style: Blended maltOrigin: ScotlandAge: Not statedABV: 48.9%Price: $130Release: November 2021Availability: 10,794 bottles worldwideNeed to know:The third and final release in the No Name series is comprised of Laphroaig single malt aged in re-charred hogsheads, Bowmore single malt, and Compass Box’s own...

Lunar New Year kicks off on Tuesday, February 1, and Johnnie Walker is celebrating the Year of the Tiger with a special bottling for Blue Label designed by a Chinese artist. This year's festivities will last until the full moon appears on February 15, and whisky is part of the mix as always. Elsewhere, Kentucky-based Rabbit Hole has released the first whiskey in its new Distillery Series, which will highlight small batch, cask-strength bottlings. This week there's also a new rye from Jim Rutledge's Cream of Kentucky, as well as bourbons from Puncher's Chance and Buzzard's Roost. Read on for full details.Johnnie Walker Blue Label Year of the TigerStyle: Blended whiskyOrigin: ScotlandAge: Not statedABV: 40% Price: $250Release: January 2022Availability: LimitedNeed to know:Each year, Johnnie Walker releases a special Blue Label bottling (which is not a new whisky, just new packaging) in honor of Lunar New Year. This year’s limited-edition design, which celebrates the Year of the Tiger...

The Spring 2022 issue of Whisky Advocate hit newsstands this week, and inside you'll find a deep exploration of all things rye whiskey. We offer up new cocktail recipes, purchasing recommendations for any budget, and a look back at what made Pennsylvania such a titan of rye production. Plus, there are more than 95 whisky reviews in the Buying Guide, all of which you can browse right now.As for new whiskies out this week, GlenDronach has announced Batch 19 of its single cask series, Old Line Spirits adds a bottled in bond American single malt to its range, and The Irishman shares details for this year's Vintage Cask bottling. Read on for full details.GlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 217)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 55.4%Age: 29 year oldPrice: $820Release: March 2022Availability: 383 bottles; GA, MA, NJ, NYGlenDronach 1992 Vintage (Cask 6052)Style: Single maltOrigin: ScotlandABV: 50.8%Age: 28 year oldPrice: $720Release: March 2022Availability: 658 bottles; CA, ID, IN, KY, LA...

Planning a trip to New York City—the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, museums, the Empire State Building, Central Park, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and world-class dining? Why not add distillery visits to your itinerary, and head to Brooklyn? The borough is home to a burgeoning whiskey scene, with innovative distillers making bourbon, rye, and malt whiskey, while others experiment with rice, apples, and wormwood. Making whiskey isn't easy, but distilling in an urban setting like New York is particularly challenging since distillers must navigate various building regulations and stringent laws governing manufacturing sites, all while working in a tight space and respecting the surrounding neighborhood. Yet a group of industrious distillers has surmounted these challenges and is making whiskey and other spirits in the city that never sleeps. These places began cropping up around a decade ago, and since then have multiplied.New York City's modern whiskey-making movement arguably began in...

This weekend, it’s off to the races! The 148th Kentucky Derby takes place tomorrow at Churchill Downs, and we’ve got a variety of tips and tricks to help you celebrate. If you plan on attending, we have the inside track on making the most of your day (or weekend) in Louisville. For those watching from home, try your hand at a Kentucky Derby Classic: the Mint Julep. Regardless of where you are, take a deep dive into the thoroughbred stars themselves ahead of the big race. Of course, we can't forget the big event on Sunday, either—raise a glass to Mom and wish her a Happy Mother's Day.
Elsewhere, there’s new whisky aplenty this week. Westland debuts the second release of terroir-focused single malt Colere, Jack Daniel's adds two new bottled in bond whiskeys to its repertoire, and New Riff unveils a sherry-malted rye. Read on for full details.

Westland Colere (Edition 2)
Style: American single maltOrigin: WashingtonAge: Not statedABV: 50%Price...

Happy 4th of July! Like us, you’re probably looking forward to a few celebratory days that include grilling, great drinks, and good company. We have some favorite summertime whiskies to suggest as well as the ideal whisky pairings for barbecue and grilled meats and vegetables. If you're hosting a party, here's some useful equipment that will make your life easier, and for the beach crowd and the partygoers among us, consider tossing one of these ready-to-drink cocktails into your bag to crank up the fun this weekend.
As far as new whisky goes, Redbreast debuts the first expression in its new American Oak series; Jack Daniel's  is releasing its highest proof whiskey to date; and Michter's is back with its beloved 10 year old rye. Read on for full details.

Redbreast Kentucky Oak Edition
Style: Single pot still Origin: IrelandAge: Not statedABV: 50.5%Price: $96Release: June 2022Availability: U.S. exclusive; limited release
Need to know:
Redbreast is...

Less than a decade ago, a tour of Tennessee's whiskey distilleries would have taken you to Jack Daniel, George Dickel (now Cascade Hollow), and family-owned Prichard's, and that would have been it. Tennessee distilling remained within this small circle of three until the mid-2000s—despite the state being home to the world's biggest-selling American whiskey, Jack Daniel's, and laying claim to distilling roots dating back to 1771.
The reason for this oddity can be summed up in one word: temperance. Just prior to the Civil War, Tennessee was producing enough whiskey for the Confederate government to place a wartime ban on production in order to maintain grain supplies. In the post-war years, the temperance movement gathered steam, and by the time Prohibition was enacted in 1920, some 33 states already were enforcing their own alcohol bans. Tennessee was one of them, placing bans on consumption and production as early as 1838, but really ramping up efforts by the early 1900s...

Generations ago, the U.S. whiskey landscape was rich with farm distillery rye whiskeys, but modern American producers tend to use giant suppliers to source their rye grains. The past decade has seen a growing contingent of American craft distillers move the focus back to heirloom rye grains, aiming to revive long-forgotten styles. We look at some of these distillers and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs they’ve experienced along the road to a rye renaissance in this story from our Spring 2022 issue.
For fans of American whiskey, and bourbon in particular, this week's new releases should be  tantalizing. Barrell Craft Spirits has debuted its latest finished blend of straight bourbons, Four Roses has announced details for this year's Limited Edition Small Batch, and Michter's is back with US*1 Toasted Barrel bourbon. Read on for full details.

Barrell Vantage
Style: Blend of straight bourbonsOrigin: Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee Age: Not statedABV...

When touring northern California, it's not grain that comes to mind, but grapes. A mere hour north of San Francisco lie Sonoma and Napa Counties—home to over 1,700 wineries and the crown jewel of American wine, Napa Valley. While picturesque wineries and verdant vineyards are the main draw, craft distillers have staked their claim in wine country too, and are offering up something different for the wine-loving masses.
Making your way to Sonoma, Napa, or beyond from San Francisco, the closest major transportation hub, is not too difficult—just hop in a car and hit Highway 101, wine country's main artery. In an hour's time, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush expanses of vineyards, and quick trips off the highway will also take you to a number of distilleries. One of the first is Sonoma Distilling Co. in Rohnert Park, a small city with redwoods, creeks, and distant mountain views located on the doorstep of Sonoma County. The distillery is housed in a modern...

Some people add to their whisky collection by tracking new releases, while others scour auction sites for rare bottlings. On September 23, Sotheby's New York will auction what it is calling The Timeless Whisky Collection, with lots that include a complete six-bottle set of the Macallan Six Pillars Collection, and a major crop of independently bottled scotch whiskies, as well as other aged expressions from Glenfiddich, Bowmore, and others. Get the details from our auction preview, including the 10 most expensive lots by estimate.Among this week's new releases, Dewar's adds to its Cask Series line with a calvados cask finish, and Woodford Reserve is offering a new honey barrel-finished bourbon as a distillery and Kentucky exclusive, while Jefferson's has an interesting new Ocean: Aged at Sea bourbon expression made with New York City water. Read on for full details.

Dewar’s 8 year old French Smooth
Style: BlendOrigin: ScotlandAge: 8 year oldABV: 40%Price: $25Release...

Bourbon leads this week with a swarm of “B's”, as Bernheim, Baker’s, and Bardstown all weigh in with new releases. Bernheim Barrel Proof, appropriately enough for this list, is offering Batch B, the second and final installment of 2024 for this expression. We’ve yet to taste Batch B, but Batch A has been one of our favorite whiskeys so far this year. There’s also a welcome return for Baker’s, the single barrel gem whose appearances are all too infrequent. Based on previous tastings, we’d recommend that you snag a bottle. Elsewhere, Bardstown’s new super-wheater is serious business—check out that 39% wheat share in the mashbill. In comparison to other wheaters, Larceny’s is a mere 20%, as is Old Fitzgerald, while Maker’s hovers at around 15%.
Cask-finished whiskeys also feature prominently this week, as Old Elk continues its finishing work with a cognac barrel-finished wheater. Virginia Distillery Co. has a new...

When Whisky Advocate published a cover story on the craft distilling movement back in 2013, there was much to talk about—smaller barrels (to age the whiskey faster), new and exciting grain varieties, experimental distilling techniques, and much more. But most of the whiskeys were still quite young, and many of today’s stars were just getting started. Thus, with some notable exceptions—like Balcones, Clear Creek, Stranahan’s, and Leopold Bros.—the buzz was more about the excitement rather than the whiskey itself. A good number of craft whiskeys simply didn’t live up to the hype, and soon the discussions of craft moved into the future tense—just wait a few years, people would say, and the quality will emerge.
Today, more than a decade later, those craft distilleries have grown to whiskey adulthood. Except for a few pioneers in the 1990s and early 2000s like McCarthy’s, Old Potrero, St. George, and some others, the big wave of openings...

As leaves turn and temperatures drop, whisky enthusiasts turn their attention to fall's most anticipated releases. This season's landscape spans the spectrum, from coveted Kentucky bourbons to scotch single malts to American whiskey with experimental cask finishes. While there are a lot of bottles generating much-deserved buzz in 2025, these 16 (presented in no particular order) represent what collectors, enthusiasts, and bar professionals are hunting, pouring, and enjoying.
Old Cassidy Bourbon (2025 Release), 60.5%, $199
This indulgent blend from Rare Character Whiskey Company melds several “exceptional barrels ranging in age,” hand-selected by co-founder Pablo Moix, including 18 year old Kentucky bourbon. Blended by Chad Watson, the final batch comes in at 123 proof, though it noses and drinks far lower. Flavors of sweet cherry syrup and cinnamon buns abound, and the protracted finish is decadent.
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak American Single Malt (2025...

In 2017, a group of New York distillers announced the creation of a new style of whiskey: Empire rye. Any whiskey so labeled must be made in New York from at least 75% New York State rye grain and aged in charred new oak barrels for at least 2 years, along with a few other requirements intended to ensure top quality.The initial group of distillers—which included nine distilleries located all over the state, from New York City up to Rochester—each released an Empire rye to kick off the bold and ambitious new designation, and Whisky Advocate tasted them all. The inaugural lineup holds promise, but many could benefit from more than the minimum of 2 years in a barrel. These are the best Empire ryes so far.Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Straight Rye—89 points, $42A beguiling nose, replete with cinnamon crumble, blueberry bubble gum, and cardamom. This whiskey bakes you a blackberry pie with a flaky crust and vanilla whipped cream, rounded out with cinnamon, dill, and oregano. The...

Jack Daniel's announced the launch of Tennessee Apple this week, if you like flavored whiskey—but if you prefer the unadulterated stuff, there are plenty of great options from Scotland, Kentucky, and elsewhere, all rolling out now.First up, there's a half-century scotch at a remarkably fair price, all things considered. There are 125 decanters of Benromach 50 year old available, priced at $10,000 each.Much more affordable, but no less exciting, Ardbeg is bringing back its super-peaty Supernova for the fifth time. Limited quantities are available at $180; expect it to sell fast.More limited-edition peaty goodness is coming from Bruichladdich, which is releasing the tenth Octomore series. Four different Octomores of varying ages and availabilities are hitting shelves, priced at $190 to $250.Booker's is rolling out its third release for this year. Booker's 2019-03 "Country Ham" is, as always, available in limited amounts, with a recommended price of $80.Sagamore Spirit has a cognac...

With the transition to summer and the slow reopening of businesses, new whisky releases seem to be picking up.First, a couple of e-commerce specials. Metallica-led brand Blackened is rolling out a special box set for its 100th batch. For the first time ever, a non-band member—master blender and distiller Rob Dietrich—created the playlist of songs that was used for the whiskey's "sonic enhancement" process. Blackened Batch 100 is packaged with two 12-inch vinyl picture discs of that playlist, as well as a copy of the Blackened Zine; the set costs $149 and is available only through Spirited Gifts and Cask Cartel.For Father's Day, Teeling Irish whiskey is offering a special bottling of its single malt, engraved with "Raise Your Spirits," and donating $5 from every sale to #RaiseYourSpirits, a charitable initiative led by part-owner Bacardi to support hospitality workers. The engraved bottles are for sale for $60 through Reserve Bar.Now for whiskies that are available at traditional...

Members of the Missouri Craft Distillers Guild recently learned how a bill becomes a law—no "Schoolhouse Rock!" cartoon necessary—as they collectively lobbied for House Bill 266. “I'm a distiller; I'm here to make spirits, as are the rest of my peers. We never thought that we'd really get into legislation on the state level,” says David Weglarz, guild president and owner and head distiller of StilL 630 in St. Louis. That involvement proved fruitful however, as on July 11, 2019, Missouri bourbon was legitimized. “All the distillers in the guild have been working toward calling their reps, traveling to Jefferson City, and really trying hard to get this passed,” Weglarz told Whisky Advocate shortly after. “So we're in a brief moment of celebration as we scramble to try and put down more Missouri bourbon whiskey.”
Missouri bourbon is a legally recognized whiskey style, based on the existing federal rules of bourbon. To be considered...

There are loads of new releases to dive into this week, as well as news of another brand revamping its look. Heaven Hill is rolling out restyled packaging for Evan Williams straight bourbon and bottled in bond bourbon, as well as the line of flavored whiskeys. Look for the new bottles to hit shelves starting this month.On to new whiskey! Glenmorangie is launching a special single malt finished in tokaji dessert wine casks. Glenmorangie A Tale of Cake is priced at $99 and available in limited amounts.WhistlePig's newest Boss Hog is rolling out, and it has an unusual finish. WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan's Atlantic is available in limited amounts, priced at $500.Three special batches of Old Forester bourbon have been created in honor of the brand's 150th anniversary. All are quite limited, with bottles priced at $150.Macallan is wrapping up its Edition series with Edition No. 6. The single malt scotch is available in limited amounts and priced at $150.Bruichladdich Distillery has...

This article was originally published in June 2020. COVID-related restrictions may affect some of the opening times and offerings of these venues, so check in advance of a visit.No city in the country has deeper roots in whiskey history than Pittsburgh. It was virtually the epicenter of the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, when farmer-distillers raised arms against federal agents. The area gave rise to our nation's first named whiskey style: Monongahela rye. It was famous long before Kentucky bourbon, and dominated the national market until after the Civil War.Pittsburgh's history is also entwined with the industrialization of the U.S., and it embraces its hard-working reputation decades after the decline of the steel industry. Once a shot-and-a-beer town, the Steel City's move into the 21st century has seen tremendous improvements in everything from air and water quality to food, drink, and entertainment. This heritage makes the city more a rye and bourbon mecca than a haven for other...

January auctions delivered a delicious mix-up of whiskey styles, with many rarities making the list for the first time. Some incredible antique bottles appeared at Sotheby’s sale of bourbon and rye in New York, as well as a 12-bottle case of private barrel Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 20 year old distilled at Stitzel-Weller Distillery and bottled in 2007 for a restaurant in San Francisco. It fetched a hammer price of $130,000, valuing each bottle at $10,800. Aside from single bottles, Whisky Hammer drew a bid of $138,943 for a refill bourbon barrel of Springbank 1993 containing enough whisky for 149 bottles. With bourbon, rye, scotch, Irish, and Japanese whisky making the list, the 20 highest single-bottle hammer prices for January fetched a monthly total of $637,064.
January 2024 – 20 Highest Single Bottle Hammer Prices
Results converted to dollars using xe.com
20. Michter’s Straight Rye 25 year old Single Barrel
Sold on: January 1st at...

Sunday is Valentine's Day, and if you want to say "I love you" with whisky (even if just to yourself), check out our recommendations for the most on-brand bottles.Crown Royal is offering a limited-edition package of its core whisky, designed by Oscar-winning costumer Ruth E. Carter, to tie in with the upcoming release of "Coming 2 America". The whisky ($25) is the same, but the familiar purple bag has gotten a royal upgrade, as has its box.Benriach is rolling out three more whiskies in its relaunched range: The Twenty One ($200), The Twenty Five ($360), and The Thirty ($740). All are permanently available but in limited amounts.The latest release from Four Gate Whiskey Co. is a rye finished in port-rum barrels. There are 1,444 bottles of Four Gate Ruby Rye Springs, priced at $185.Finally, a new bourbon brand called Paul Sutton is making its debut. Distilled at Wilderness Trail, the bourbon is priced at $64 and available in a few states.Read on for full details.Benriach The Twenty...

Though it has only been around a few years, Atlanta-based blending house Shortbarrel has already made a name for itself among American whiskey drinkers. It was established in 2020 by friends Adam Dorfman, Clinton Dugan, and Patrick Lemmond, who initially picked single barrels as a hobby before making the leap to creating their own brand. The brand has significantly expanded since then, acquiring Old Fourth Distillery and its labels in 2023, opening a kitchen, bar, and retail outlet in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last year, and taking its flagship bourbon nationwide last month.
Considering how the brand got started, it seems natural that most of the excitement around Shortbarrel comes from its single barrel store picks—often featuring high-proof, double-digit aged bourbons and ryes from MGP or undisclosed Kentucky distilleries—which have gained traction among whiskey fans. But looking beyond those single barrel releases, Shortbarrel...

Looking for new whisky to temper the hot summer days, or perhaps to enjoy while grilling out? Look no further. This week brings several new releases that span a wide range of flavor profiles.First up, Crown Royal is offering a special release that nods to its strong Texas support. Crown Royal Texas Mesquite is infused with mesquite flavors and comes packaged in a spiffy bag sporting the Lone Star State's flag colors. At $25, it's available in a handful of states—including, of course, Texas.Next, Woodford Reserve has unveiled a permanent addition to its core lineup of whiskeys, which includes Bourbon, Double Oaked Bourbon, and Rye. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt has a mashbill of 51% malted barley, with the remainder made up of mainly corn and a little rye. Note that this whiskey is not the same as a single malt, which in Scotland and Ireland is defined as being 100% malted barley—though in the U.S., there's no legal definition as of yet. Woodford's new straight malt will...

If Canada isn't yet on your must-visit list, it should be. Not only is the country home to some of the best spots for whisky tourism—many just a short jaunt across the border—Canada also keeps some of its best bottles for the home market. Take a trip and scoop a few up—use these suggestions to make your shopping list. (Prices in Canadian dollars.)Canadian ClassicsStart here for prime examples of Canadian-style whisky.Canadian Rockies 21 year old—92 points, $110Lush, creamy corn whisky from Highwood Distillers, Canada's last privately owned traditional distillery. With a maple leaf on the label and tasty whisky inside, this bottle makes a delicious souvenir.Crown Royal Blender's Select—90 points, $55Crown Royal is the only Canadian whisky with a well-developed collector market, and this Ontario exclusive entices its devotees with gingery spices, green grapes, and butterscotch pudding.Gooderham & Worts—90 points, $45A robust blend of wheat, corn, barley, and rye whiskies...

A few weeks ago, Compass Box announced that they'd overhauled the recipe for The Peat Monster, making a significant change after more than 15 years of production. I spoke with blender John Glaser about why he decided to mess with a winning formula, and how the new whisky fits into the current peat craze.Speaking of changes, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently proposed making barrels of "approximately 50 gallons" the regulated size for aging bourbon. This could have a major impact on many American distillers, so we spoke to people on both sides of the issue to find out what they think.On to new whiskies. MGP Distillery is starting up a private-barrel program for retail stores, allowing them to create a custom version of its Rossville Union rye whiskey. Retailers can meet with MGP's distilling and blending teams to taste from different barrels and put together a unique blend, to be bottled at 50% ABV.WhistlePig is launching its oldest whisky to date, an 18 year...

Old Overholt rye has been around for 210 years but has recently undergone some changes, raising the proof of its core whiskey and introducing two limited-time offerings that honor its long and storied history. Bradford Lawrence, rye whisky specialist at Beam Suntory, which owns Old Overholt, joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Oct. 2 to talk about those changes and more.“I want to stress, the moves that we're making on the brand are done with thoughtful intention,” Lawrence said. “The brand has been very reactive in the best way possible to make sure that it stays a prominent piece of whiskey culture.”For instance, raising the proof of Old Overholt from 40% ABV to 43% ABV was done as a nod to the bartending community, which has long relied on the rye when building classic whiskey cocktails. “It's been a mainstay and a cornerstone since its inception,” Lawrence said. “With the first cocktail renaissance of the ‘90s and the second one of the...

Though it's not a new whiskey release, the latest Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor is worth reporting here as it incorporates whiskey—in this case, WhistlePig 6 year old Piggyback rye. (The distillery and ice cream manufacturer are Vermont neighbors.) Ben & Jerry's Whiskey Biz flavor has a brown butter-bourbon ice cream base and incorporates blonde brownies, Piggyback-infused caramel swirls, white fudge chunks, and white chocolate ganache. It's kosher, which means Piggyback is now certified kosher, as are all WhistlePig whiskeys with the exception of 12 year old Old World.On to new whisky releases, starting with The 117 Series from Old Forester. This limited-edition collection debuts with High Angels' Share bourbon, priced at $50 for 375 ml.Dalmore Distillery's 12 year old Sherry Cask Select is landing on U.S. shores. Priced at $80, the single malt is initially for sale only at Total Wine & More stores, with expanded availability starting in September.Jefferson's is...

This week, we covered yet another distillery opening, this one on the Glenmorangie campus in the Scottish Highlands. At the Lighthouse, Glenmorangie head of distilling and whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden will be able to pursue his wildest whisky dreams, and we're looking forward to the forthcoming fruits of his labors.While it'll be awhile before we see new whiskies from the Lighthouse, there are plenty of new releases to enjoy right now, including a new, aged bourbon from Hudson Whiskey, a fruit-forward blended malt from Compass Box, and a single malt meant for pairing with cigars from Tamdhu. Read on for full details.Hudson Four Part HarmonyStyle: Straight bourbon
Origin: New York
Age: 7 year oldABV: 46%
Price: $70
Release: September 2021
Availability: 1,200 for CT, NJ, NY with expansion planned Need to know:Pot distilled from a mash of 60% corn, 15% rye, 15% wheat, and 10% malted barley, and aged for 7 years, this limited-edition is the oldest release from Hudson...

The single barrel universe is far-flung, with many distilleries taking part in offering single barrels these days. Perhaps you’re not ready or able to spend time in distillery warehouses tasting through barrel samples, or not fast enough on the draw to find the best private barrel selections from retailers. You might simply be looking to taste some branded single barrel expressions to compare them with the other whiskeys in a distiller’s arsenal, either for your whisky club or on your own. Here we’ve assembled a roll call of players who offer single barrel selections you can find on the retail shelf. They often sell quickly, but they can be found at liquor stores.
Four Roses
Few single barrel expressions are as accessible or offer as much value as Four Roses Single Barrel. The distiller is famous for its 10 mashbill recipes that are usually batched together for its various expressions, but the single barrel uses only one—the OBSV recipe. “The...

The coronation of King Charles III takes place Saturday at Westminster Abbey in London, and while the ceremony plan is somewhat less extravagant than coronations past, there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance for royal watchers. Many of the whiskies being released in honor of the coronation are anything but pared down. Among the most kingly is Royal Salute's The Coronation of Kings Charles III Edition, a $25,000 blended scotch that's presented in a richly hued sapphire blue Dartington crystal decanter. While the majority of these coronation whiskies are scotches, an English single malt was also in the mix—from The English Distillery's The English Coronation single malt. That one, priced at $105 in U.S. dollars, sold out quickly. But the list offers numerous other celebratory bottles at a variety of prices.
Coronation whiskies aside, there are new releases galore this week. New Riff continues its...

Father’s Day is this Sunday, and we have plenty of cool whiskies that will make perfect gifts. In addition to those, you could consult our Summer 2023 Best Values and Editors’ Choice lists to make sure you've got all the options covered. This week, the whisky world is awash with new expressions. New scotches include Laphroaig Càirdeas and six age-statement blends from Ian Macleod’s Isle of Skye range. In addition, Woodford Reserve has a new bottled in bond wheat whiskey, and Heaven Hill offers a wheated whiskey from its microdistillery at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Louisville. Meanwhile, Texas and Ireland meet, as Clonakilty has collaborated with Garrison Brothers on a new single malt that's finished in Garrison Brothers casks. Read on for more.
Laphroaig Càirdeas White Port & Madeira Casks
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated

As more labels backed by famous faces enter our whiskey aisles, it’s easy to roll your eyes and presume they’re all cash grabs. What can this celebrity actually know about distillation, maturation, and blending? Very little, right? And that’s true for some. 
Not Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, founders of Brother’s Bond whiskey. 
“We’re meticulously laying barrels down in certain places of the ricks based on when they’re distilled,” Somerhalder tells us. “We’re able to pinpoint flavor profiles this way. October distillate in one particular section always ends up in our rye. We know exactly which [rickhouse] spot that barrel needs.” Somerhalder can talk your ear off about maturation, in a manner of articulation typically reserved for master distillers.
The duo met as actors playing brothers on the hit TV show "Vampire Diaries" and forged a friendship over bourbon, hence the...

“Every day, I’m paranoid someone will open a bottle of something I’ve picked and call me a hack,” says co-founder and co-owner of Rare Character Whiskey Company Pablo Moix. The 49 year old entrepreneur still struggles to wrap his head around the exploding success of Rare Character bottles; all of which are personally selected by him. “Selling bottles at $99, knowing they’ll hit resale markets for $400 or more, and having it not drink like a $400 and the buyer is upset—that pressure is intense,” Moix says, adding, “I have no fallback plan; this has to work.”
But work it has. Rare Character Whiskey Company has become the next “it” brand in American whiskey.
What started as a pandemic business in 2021 has blown up into six sub-brands, each with rabid followings, many of which are already selling at ten times the suggested retail price at Sotheby's and Unicorn Auctions. Rare Character (RC) fan groups on...

Oregon has played a key role in making whiskey since the dawn of America’s craft distilling movement—one of its major contributions being the birthplace of American malt with McCarthy’s Oregon single malt, which debuted in 1996. The city of Portland is best known for its craft breweries, lively food scene, and whimsical reputation for weirdness. But it’s also a whiskey city, with a distilling culture that dovetails nicely with Oregon’s wine and beer background. This culture stretches far beyond Portland, spilling across the rest of the state, too. Here’s a sampling of prominent distilleries that have helped put Oregon on the whiskey map.
PORTLAND DISTILLERIES
Westward Whiskey
FOUNDED 2004
westwardwhiskey.com
Westward Whiskey wasn’t the first to brew an ale and then distill it, but the Portland distiller has certainly perfected the craft. “We have a rich brewing history in the Northwest, and a lot of us at Westward...

Scotch distiller Loch Lomond Group is entering the American whiskey space with the completion of a deal to acquire Brooklyn-based craft distillery New York Distilling Company. It joins a Loch Lomond portfolio that includes whisky brands Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond, and Littlemill. The Loch Lomond Group signed a new U.S. distribution agreement with Foley Family Wines & Spirits in 2024, an indication of a renewed focus on the U.S. that has significantly increased the range and availability of its whiskies in the market.
Brooklyn Brewery founder Tom Potter and distiller and mixologist Allen Katz founded New York Distilling Company in 2011. The founders will continue to work with Loch Lomond Group to grow brands including Jaywalk rye, Mister Katz Rock & Rye, Dorothy Parker gin, and Perry Tot’s Navy strength gin, all of which should benefit from wider distribution and access to new markets. New York Distilling’s original home was located beside a firehouse in...

This week is primarily dominated by extra-special releases from familiar names. Heaven Hill has debuted its fourth Old Fitzgerald VVS bottled in bond bourbon; not to be outdone, Glenmorangie has brought back a 25 year old single malt to its core range, while Suntory has released its oldest Yamazaki yet, this one fully matured in mizunara oak. On the craft level, Brooklyn's Kings County Distillery has introduced a widely available Empire rye, and Single Cask Nation has also put the spotlight on New York rye and peated American single malt with its latest drop.
 
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 11 Year Old VVS 2025 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV: 50%
SRP: $170
Availability: Kentucky exclusive
The fourth release in Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald VVS (Very Very Special) line is an 11 year old bourbon made from the distillery’s classic wheater recipe of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley (as all Old Fitzgerald whiskeys...

Blends and cask finishes are here, there, and everywhere in this week's new releases. Both Barrell Craft Spirits and Bardstown Bourbon Co. have not one, but two new whiskeys out: From Barrel, its latest Cask Finish series, an armagnac-finished blend of straight bourbons, and a new single barrel line of microblends, while Bardstown Bourbon has collaborated with Maison Ferrand for a second cognac-finished blend and also introduced the 13th bottle in its Discovery Series. Elsewhere in the U.S., independent bottler Lost Lantern has unveiled its latest Far-Flung blend of bourbons, Chattanooga Whiskey explores maple syrup cask finishing, and Pursuit Spirits has an 11 year old cask strength bourbon. Across the pond, Bunnahabhain has revealed the first single malt in a new three-part annual series.
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Armagnac
ABV: 56.5%
SRP: $85
Availability: Limited
Barrell Foundation Single Barrels
ABV: Varies
SRP: $TBD
Availability...

Today, we unveiled our 2025 Whisky of the Year, capping off a week of Top 20 reveals. The list features whiskies from around the globe, all of which came out over the past year. As we celebrate our 2025 winners, let’s look at the whiskies rolling out this week—who knows, maybe one of these bottles will appear in next year's Top 20.
Still Austin is back with its second edition of Tanager, a bourbon series that's intended for pairing with cigars. Wilderness Trail has three new single barrel whiskeys, all 6 years old; elsewhere in Kentucky, Buzzard's Roost has debuted a single barrel bourbon of its own, this one celebrating Repeal Day. Bourbon-armagnac blend Hogsworth is back with its oldest releases yet, and on the collectible side, Glenlivet has released a 56 year old single malt. 
Still Austin Tanager Cigar Blend Bourbon (2025 Release)
ABV: 53.75%
SRP: $150
Availability: Limited
Texas craft distillery Still Austin has...

This week, there's a 10 year old Irish whiskey from The Dubliner, and Limestone Branch is launching a new rye brand.Minor Case RyeStyle: Straight rye whiskeyProof: 45% ABVPrice: $50Release: March 2017Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:A new brand from Limestone Branch, this 2 year old rye whiskey is named after Minor Case Beam, the great-grandfather of Limestone Branch cofounders Steve and Paul Beam. It’s finished in a sherry barrel.Whisky Advocate says:Limestone Branch opened their distillery in 2011, but this rye whiskey isn’t made there. The label says it’s distilled in Indiana, so it’s safe to assume it’s made at MGP.The Dubliner 10 year old Single MaltStyle: Single malt Irish whiskeyProof: 43% ABVPrice: $50Release: March 2017Availability: More than 20 U.S. statesNeed to know:The Dubliner brand is launching its first age-statement whiskey, which is also its first single malt.Whisky Advocate says:The Dubliner Irish Whiskey is reviewed in our Spring 2017 Buying...

It is universally understood that whisky is more enjoyable when you share it, and the experience becomes even more rewarding when you're able to give back in the process. Here's a roundup of American whiskeys that contribute to a variety of charitable causes, with a portion of proceeds going to such organizations as the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association, Folds of Honor, and a number of conservation efforts.Pick up one of those charitable-minded bottles this weekend, or seek out one of the new releases in this week's roundup. The Glenrothes has a limited edition 36 year old single cask that comes equipped with an illustrated NFT, Blackened has a new rye whiskey that was finished in madeira wine and Caribbean rum casks, and Stranahan's has distillery-exclusive tequila finished single malt. Read on for full details. Glenrothes 36 year old 1978 Vintage (Cask #3631)Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: 36 year oldABV: 41.4%Price: $3,600Release: April 27th...

Whisky isn’t the only spirit that’s caught the cask-finishing bug. Beam Suntory’s El Tesoro tequila has unveiled a new añejo expression: El Tesoro Mundial Knob Creek Rye Edition. The new tequila from La Alteña Distillery features a 12-month cask finish using barrels that held Knob Creek rye for seven years. The aim is to give the tequila some of the rye’s sweeter and spicier notes, namely vanilla, dark chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, and orange peel.
This is La Alteña’s second whisky cask-finished expression. In 2021, the distillery released El Tesoro Mundial Collection The Laphroaig Edition, its first showcasing of this style. That release saw an El Tesoro añejo tequila spend an additional 12 months in Laphroaig 10 Year Old casks. The goal was to impart some of the Islay single malt’s maritime salinity and peat smoke notes onto the tequila. That was the first release in the Mundial Collection, an experimental line that...

As news breaks that Kentucky Owl may be getting its own distillery, there are plenty of new whiskies to look for this week. Woodford Reserve is releasing its annual Master's Collection special edition. This year, it's a bourbon that features a high-malt mashbill: 30% malted barley, all of it smoked over cherry wood to lend the finished whiskey a nutty and slightly smoky flavor.Meanwhile, Islay's Kilchoman Distillery is rolling out two new single malts. The 2009 vintage follows up previous years' vintage releases and clocks in around 8 years old. It includes whiskies aged in both bourbon and, for the first time, sherry casks. Kilchoman Red Wine Cask Matured is roughly 5 years old and spent its entire maturation in—you guessed it—red wine casks from Portugal's Douro Valley.California craft distiller Graton Distilling Company—which makes George D. Benham's gin and vodka—is launching its very first whiskey, a blend of house-made rye, sourced rye, and sourced bourbon. There will be...

Long known for its country music scene, Nashville has recently built a reputation as a food and beverage destination. And after a 2009 law reintroduced distilling for the first time since statewide Prohibition in 1910, a crop of craft distillers has sprung up, making all sorts of whiskey. While some distillers are breaking new ground, others are reviving recipes passed down through generations.There are now enough local distilleries to support a Tennessee Whiskey Trail, established in 2017 by the Nashville-based Tennessee Distillers Guild. The trail features 30 distilleries across the state, ranging in size from boutique micro-distillers to the big guys, George Dickel and Jack Daniel's. With a number of innovative craft distillers showcasing regional ingredients and flare in Nashville and the surrounding area, there's good reason to break away from the honky tonks on Lower Broadway to sample some locally grown and distilled whiskeys.Nashville Whiskey DistilleriesCorsair Distillery601...

It's Friday the 13th, but don't get spooked—this week's new whiskeys are all perfectly normal. In fact, Diageo just announced news of its 2018 Special Releases—most of them, that is.First up, Wild Turkey has announced a new, permanently available bourbon called Longbranch, which master distiller Eddie Russell made in partnership with creative director (and film actor) Matthew McConaughey. It's 8 years old and filtered through both American white oak and mesquite charcoals, and it costs $40. Since McConaughey's stamp of approval is on it, I'm guessing this whiskey is all right, all right, all right (or even better than that).Balvenie Distillery debuted DoubleWood 12 year old in 1993, and in celebration of its 25th anniversary, the company is rolling out limited-edition packaging. While the liquid inside is the same as in any other bottle, Balvenie also plans to release a 25 year old DoubleWood later this year.Blade and Bow is returning with its 22 year old bourbon for the fourth...

“Most drinks are created before they are named—but not the Brooklyn cocktail,” says Eric Felten, James Beard Award-winning author of How's Your Drink? Cocktails, Culture, and the Art of Drinking Well.Seeing the success of the Manhattan, which debuted in the 1880s, and the Bronx, created in the early 1900s, other New York City boroughs wanted their own namesake drink. “The problem was that a string of terrible drinks were proposed to be named the Brooklyn cocktail,” Felten explains.These included a rum-based drink at Gage & Tollner restaurant; a gin take on the Manhattan at Hotel Bossert; and a mix of rye, dry vermouth, and a dash each of maraschino liqueur and Amer Picon at Hotel St. George, he says. “Come the mid-1930s, there were about as many different drinks called the Brooklyn as there were bars in Brooklyn.”So in 1934, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper tried to sort out the confusion with a contest. “The winner among hundreds of entries was a drink of gin...

Kentucky is bourbon country, and Louisville is the capital. Home to distilleries and brand experiences from the likes of Jim Beam, Old Forester, and Evan Williams—all part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail—the birthplace of the Old Fashioned, and the setting for the most exciting two minutes in sports and a bonafide cocktail holiday, the Kentucky Derby. Whether it's a Mint Julep in your hand, a decadent Coffee & Donut cocktail from Whiskey Dry or simply a neat pour made down the block, Louisville is a bourbon drinker's paradise and one of the greatest whiskey cities in the world.
Getting Around
Uber or Lyft are your best bets. Taxis can be scarce and the municipal bus system, TARC, isn't conducive to a proper urban expedition. The major distillery visitor centers outside of town can require an hour's drive, so a car rental and non-drinking driver are necessary unless you utilize an organized tour company.
When to Go
Kentucky Derby Festival begins in April...

Single malt scotch prices might be going down, thanks to the temporary suspension of tariffs. Find out which brands could be affected in our recent article, and look for announcements when they're released right here in Whisky Weekend.On to what's new now: Woodford Reserve has unveiled its annual Kentucky Derby commemorative label, this year designed by Richard Sullivan, who was also the 2020 artist. The special package is available on select 1 liter bottles at the regular price of $50.GlenDronach Distillery is sending four single-cask whiskies to the U.S. for the first time. The ages range from 12 to 27 years old, with prices from $120 to $600. Bottle counts are limited: 612 to 638, depending on the cask.WhistlePig is rolling out the second batch of its 18 year old Double Malt rye. There are 4,000 bottles available, priced at $400.Israel's M&H Distillery is launching its Apex Collection with two limited-edition single malts: one finished in pomegranate wine casks (1,500 bottles...

It’s that time of year again—our Top 20 whiskies of 2021 have been revealed! This year the list is led by a single malt Scotch, Lagavulin 11 year old Offerman Edition Guinness Cask Finish, a whisky we first included in this very roundup back in May. The rest of the list spans the globe, offering up a little something for everyone.There are plenty of new releases to enjoy alongside these gems. Booker’s unveils its final release of the year, Barrell Craft Spirits adds some older bourbon and rye to its Stellum line, and Cascade Hollow debuts a 13 year old rye in its Moon series. Read on for full details.Booker’s 2021-04 “Noe Strangers Batch”Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: 6 years, 6 months, 12 daysABV: 62.2%Price: $90Release: December 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:The fourth and final batch of Booker’s for 2021 celebrates Booker Noe’s social nature. It is said that the 6th generation Beam master distiller could turn any stranger into a friend, and...

Kentucky bourbon is prized for its bold flavors and authenticity. Like an old-school steakhouse, it harnesses tradition and authority to deliver a rarified experience, a process and product that have been perfected over time. But whiskey drinkers, like gourmands, have ever-expanding palates, and as much as the old ways work, and work well, there is no denying the excitement of new ideas and perspectives on something as universally beloved as bourbon.
“Kentucky bourbon is a unique product unto its own. And frankly, it's a very good one,” says Bill Welter, owner and head distiller at Journeyman Distillery in Michigan. As for Journeyman's Featherbone bourbon, which uses an all-organic mashbill of 70% corn, 25 % wheat, and 5% rye, Welter states, “We weren't really setting out to try and replicate something that was already being done very well.”
Welter and Journeyman are among a crop of new distillers reimagining what great bourbon can taste like; stepping...

Fall is in full swing, and so are new whisky launches. In a burst of good news for Pappy fans, the 2022 Van Winkle lineup has been announced, and with it the word that more bottles than usual are available this year. Does that mean it'll be easier to get your hands on one ahead of the holiday season? Not necessarily, but here's to staying optimistic.The Van Winkle whiskeys aren't the only specialty releases making their debut this week. There are two new whiskies from Hibiki—a cherrywood-finished blend and a 30 year old whisky—both of which are highly limited. Knob Creek, meanwhile, has introduced a rarity of its own, an 18 year old bourbon that marks its oldest release to date, and High West has unveiled the 10th edition of A Midwinter Night's Dram, along with a distillery-exclusive special to commemorate the 10th anniversary. From Scotland, Glendronach has debuted Grandeur Batch 11—aged for 28 years—while Gordon & Macphail is offering three new...

Fall is in full swing, and so are distilleries, with all manner of releases coming out practically by the minute. In a burst of good news for Pappy fans, the 2022 Van Winkle lineup has been announced, and along with it the revelation that more bottles than usual are available this year. Does that mean it'll be easier to get your hands on one ahead of the holiday season, be it for yourself or a loved one? Not necessarily, but here's to staying optimistic.As mentioned, the Van Winkle whiskeys are hardly the only specialty releases to debut this week. There are two new whiskies from Hibiki—a cherrywood-finished blend and a 30 year old whisky—both of which are very limited in nature. Knob Creek, meanwhile, has introduced a rarity of its own, an 18 year old bourbon that marks its oldest release to date. From Scotland, Glendronach has debuted Grandeur Batch 11—aged for 28 years—and there are three new ultra-limited, ultra-aged bottlings from the Gordon &...

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Yes, the holiday season is upon us, but we've also spent the week counting down our annual Top 20 list, with the full list officially out today. Check out our pick for Whisky of the Year, a bonded Tennessee whiskey priced at just $30, and see if any of these exciting whiskies catch your eye or look right for the whisky lover in your life.
New releases this week include the latest iteration of High West's High Country single malt, the third release in the Bushmills Rare cask series, and the 2023 bottling of Barrell's New Year blend. Read on for full details. 

High West High Country
Style: Single malt Origin: Utah Age: Not stated ABV: 44% Price: $80 Release: December 2022 Availability: Limited
Need to know: 
High Country is High West’s ode to Scottish single malts, and as such it blends single malt scotch techniques with American whiskey making. Its 100% malt mashbill...

Looking to take your weekend brunch plans up a notch? These whiskey-based coffee cocktails should do the trick. Try one of four bartender-approved recipes, all of which use rye or bourbon as the base.
Speaking of American whiskey, all of this week's new releases come from U.S. producers. Woodford Reserve brings back its Double Double Oaked bourbon, exclusive to the distillery and Kentucky retailers. Old Elk unveils its Cask Finish Series, including a brand new rum-finished rye. And Chattanooga Whiskey has finishing on the mind as well, adding a cabernet cask-finished straight malt expression. Read on for full details.  

Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (2023 Release)Style: Finished bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedABV: 45.2%Price: $60/375 mlRelease: January 2023Availability: Limited; exclusive to the distillery and select Kentucky retailers 
Need to know: Double Double...

Blending has been a key part of High West’s identity since its start in 2006, when founder David Perkins set his sights on producing a rye whiskey. To accomplish this, he reportedly spent $200,000 on aged rye barrels from MGP and Barton 1792 Distillery to be used for blending. The resulting blends catapulted High West to the pinnacle of the craft distilling world. 
High West rose to prominence using sourced whiskey and skilled, creative blending. Its home base in Park City, Utah had a small still, but it was far too small to service the growing company’s needs. In 2015, High West opened a full-fledged distillery at Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, Utah. By 2018 it had made changes to its Double Rye recipe, replacing the 16 year old Barton component with its own distillate, which was much younger. And now, nearly two decades after its founding, High West has put its distillate in the spotlight with its first bonded rye. 
High West Bottled in Bond Rye was created...

The return of Michter’s 20 year old bourbon after being away for two years was certainly the highlight of the week, although getting hold of a bottle of this limited release will prove to be a challenge as always. The 20 year old's arrival came just in time for WhiskyFest New York on Wednesday night, where it was in high demand. Elsewhere among the new  American whiskey releases, Tattersall has two limited edition bottled in bond expressions, while Colorado’s Laws offers two cask-finished bourbons. Other new announcements feature Pendleton, Hidden Barn, and Wyoming Whiskey.
In scotch, Johnnie Walker Blue is out with its Lunar New Year release to commemorate the Year of the Snake, while Macallan has two new whiskies in the fourth edition of its Harmony Series, which this year celebrates Macallan’s use of oak. And finally, from Ireland, Teeling has released another of its aged whiskeys, this one a 24 year old.
Michter’s 20 year old...

Among the more interesting news items this week was the introduction of Old Forester’s first bottled in bond rye, released as part of the distillery’s 117 Series. We have deeper coverage on that here, including an interview with assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo. Elsewhere in the whiskey world, there are new releases from Barrel Craft Spirits, 15 Stars, Elijah Craig, Kentucky Senator, and Old Potrero, as well as the latest Gentleman’s Cut expression from NBA superstar Stephen Curry, and a new addition to the Wildlife Collection from Milam & Greene.
 
Elijah Craig Limited Edition Toasted Barrel Small Batch Bourbon
 
ABV: 63.3%
Price: $100
Availability: California Exclusive; less than 200 bottles; presale signup available here
Bourbon and golf fans should enjoy Heaven Hill’s new Elijah Craig limited-edition private barrel bourbon, selected in partnership with golf pro and six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa. This...

This week in new whisky, it's all about returns. Laphroaig has introduced the latest release of fan-favorite Càirdeas; this year's edition is a cask-strength iteration of the distillery's core single malt Lore. In Kentucky, Knob Creek has brought back Bourbon x Rye, a limited edition blend of straight whiskeys that landed on our Top 20 list last year, while Old Forester is rolling out its 1910 Extra Extra Old bourbon for the first time since 2022. Elsewhere in the U.S., Wyoming Whiskey has its newest National Parks release, this one an ode to Acadia in Maine, Bib & Tucker has a bourbon that combines the worlds of whiskey and coffee, and Wolves returns with its latest Willett collaboration.
 
Laphroaig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch
ABV:  59.6%
Price: $110
Availability: Limited
Laphroaig has unveiled its annual Càirdeas release, a fan favorite that launched in 2008 for its Friends of Laphroaig club members...

New whiskies are coming from all over the world this week. Glenmorangie has its latest Tale Of limited-edition single malt, this one a spotlight on spices. Elsewhere across the pond, Torabhaig has the fourth installment in its Legacy Series, Port Ellen celebrates its 200th anniversary with a 42 year old single malt, and Teeling debuts another release in its multi-year partnership with the University of Notre Dame. In American whiskey, there’s plenty to enjoy, with new ryes from Sagamore Spirit, Wigle Whiskey, and Blue Note, and bourbons from Yellowstone, 15 Stars, and Jackson Purchase. And for the single North American single malt fans, WhistlePig has brought out a 30 year old bottling finished in Italian dessert wine casks.
 
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices Single Malt Scotch
ABV: 46%
SRP: $92
Availability: Limited; imported by Moët Hennessy USA
The sixth installment in Glenmorangie’s annual A Tale Of limited-edition series, A Tale...

While they’re already serving up robust cocktails in inviting atmospheres, these distilleries are getting a makeover this holiday season—transformed into pop-up bars with festive lights, holiday decor, and playful themes to bring holiday cheer. We’ve rounded up 13 distilleries that are pulling out all the stops, with looks ranging from winter wonderlands to iconic Christmas movie-themed makeovers. There’s plenty of yule-themed fun at these distilleries.
Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar – The Elf Bar
San Antonio, Texas
Open through December 24th
Artisan Distillery and Craft Bar in downtown San Antonio mainly makes vodka, though it also produces a handful of whiskeys. This holiday season, its downtown location has been turned into a North Pole-themed wonderland inspired by the film “Elf”. Book a table and enjoy an interactive experience filled with surprises, karaoke, Christmas trivia, and of course, specialty cocktails to sip...

There are quite a few well-aged whiskies in this week's roundup, including a 12 year old from Barrell, and 10 year olds from Michter's, Sagamore Spirit, Bernheim, and Wyoming Whiskey, while Yellowstone's 8 year old bourbon revives the Yellowstone label from the 19th century (a bottle previously available only at its Limestone Branch Distillery). Elsewhere, Johnnie Walker seeks to woo American drinkers with a new bourbon cask-centric expression, and this year’s edition of Macallan Distil Your World is an ode to Paris.

Johnnie Walker Black Cask Blended Scotch
ABV: 43%
SRP: $35
Availability: Nationwide
Black Cask is a new permanent Johnnie Walker expression designed to appeal to both scotch and American whiskey fans. Crafted exclusively from whiskies aged in bourbon casks, the recipe features whiskies from distilleries used in Black Label, including Cameronbridge, Glen Elgin, and Roseisle. It's the latest Johnnie Walker expression introduced this...

If you're in the market for special-edition whiskies, this week brings a lot of choice. The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection was announced earlier this week, but there are many more whisky riches to be had.Glenfiddich is launching two limited single malts: Glenfiddich Winter Storm, the latest in its Experimental Series, is 21 years old and finished in ice wine casks from Canada. There are 7,800 bottles available. In addition, Glenfiddich's new 1973 Rare Collection Cask No. 7585 is 40 years old, aged entirely in refill American oak, and costs $6,000. There are only 98 bottles available, all for the U.S.Seattle's Westland Distillery is making its limited-edition Peat Week single malt whiskey available nationwide for the first time. There are three different labels, but the whiskey inside the bottles is all the same. Only 1,500 bottles total are being released at a price of $100 each.Meanwhile, MGP Distillery's George Remus bourbon has a new bottling celebrating the repeal of...

The biggest weekend for Irish whiskey is upon us, and if you're looking for new Irish whiskeys to try, cocktail recipes, the perfect food pairing, or simply tons of information about Irish whiskey to impress everyone at the bar—we've got you covered. After all, there's never been a better time to drink Irish whiskey than right now. And there's an even newer Irish whiskey coming out too—see below.High-rolling scotch fans, meanwhile, can look forward to the latest release in Glenlivet's Winchester Collection, a 50 year old single malt distilled in 1967. As expected, the price is hefty: $25,000. Just 150 bottles of the rare whisky are being released worldwide.The Spring 2019 batch of Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond bourbon is rolling out. Distilled in September 2005, this 13 year old whiskey is available in limited amounts for $130.That new Irish whiskey is the second label from Chapel Gate Whiskey Co.'s J.J. Corry brand. A 16 year old single malt, it's named for a historic pistol...

It might be a holiday week, but new releases do not pause just because the rest of us get the day off. Earlier in the week, we announced the exclusive news that MGP Distillery will launch its first bottled in bond bourbon in November. Remus Volstead Reserve is a limited-edition whiskey, priced at $200, and will be for sale in 14 states. Get the full details in our in-depth article.Although we first reported it back in April, Glenmorangie's newest Bond House No. 1 release is hitting shelves now. Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1991 costs $750 and is available in limited amounts.There are several new scotches launching at travel retail stores, including four special editions of Johnnie Walker Black and 15 rarely-seen single malts from Speyside. While they're only for sale at duty-free stores for now, the whiskies are noteworthy enough to seek out if you're traveling through the right airport.But what about whiskies that are readily available now? WhistlePig is rolling out the third...

Strap in, because there's a whole lot of new whisky headed your way.First up, Four Roses has unveiled the 2020 Limited Edition Small Batch. Details on the recipes used are below. With a recommended price of $150, there are 14,040 bottles available.Buffalo Trace will release limited amounts of Blanton's Straight From The Barrel starting this fall. Previously only available overseas, the whiskey has a recommended retail price of $150.Ardbeg is rolling out the 2020 release of 19 year old Traigh Bhan. The whisky is priced at $300 and available in limited quantities.GlenDronach's latest whisky in partnership with the Kingsman movie franchise is a 1989 vintage. It's priced at $1,299, with just 3,052 bottles available worldwide.Bardstown Bourbon Co. is releasing a bourbon finished in Copper & Kings Destillaré orange curaçao barrels. There are 3,000 bottles available, priced at $125.Pinhook is launching its flagship Bohemian bourbon, distilled at Castle & Key. The whiskey is widely...

There's a brand-new issue of Whisky Advocate out now, and it's all about BIG whisky: big proof, big prices, big production, and more. Pick up a copy today, and subscribe to receive new issues even before they hit newsstands.On to the week's new releases. Wild Turkey has unveiled its latest limited-edition bourbon, a 2003 vintage of Russell's Reserve. Priced at $250, there are just 3,600 bottles available.Macallan is launching the newest entry in its Fine & Rare series, distilled in 1993. Just 256 bottles are available, priced at $18,000 each.Jack Daniel's has unveiled the latest Tennessee Tasters' Selection, a Tennessee whiskey finished in Jamaican allspice barrels. With 24,000 half-size bottles for sale mainly at the distillery, the price is $40.Compass Box has created a limited-edition version of Peat Monster to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary. Peat Monster Arcana is priced at $95, with just over 8,300 bottles available.Aberfeldy is launching another limited-edition...

With just a week to go before Christmas, there's still time to buy a great gift for the whisky lover in your life (or for yourself, we won't judge). And if you're feeling lucky, grab a $100 raffle ticket for a chance to win 35 bottles of rare and high-end bourbon, rye, scotch, and more. Want to pick up a new bottle? Keep reading.Buffalo Trace is rolling out the 15th release of Stagg Jr. now. Always in limited amounts, the bourbon has a recommended retail price of $50.Johnnie Walker has announced plans to test a new blend called Johnnie Blonde, starting next March. The sweet scotch will be priced at $25, and initially available only in select markets, including Houston in the U.S.Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. has launched Cascade Moon No. 2, a Tennessee whiskey that includes the contents of the first barrel filled at the distillery when it reopened in 2003. Priced at $250, the whiskey is available in California, Tennessee, and Texas.Alberta Distillers' Alberta Premium Cask-Strength...

The Manhattan cocktail—a simple recipe of American whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters that predates the Martini—yields myriad combinations to suit almost any whiskey lover. “I'm very choosy, first, about which rye—yes, rye—works best. Bourbon is too soft for me in this drink,” says Charles Cerankosky, co-owner of Good Luck, Cure, and Jackrabbit Club in Rochester, New York. However, many enjoy bourbon just fine, especially when matched with the right vermouth to balance its sweetness with bitterness and acidity. In fact, almost any style of whiskey you enjoy can shine in a Manhattan.
The modern Manhattan ratio is 2:1 whiskey to vermouth, but the original skewed the opposite, with twice as much vermouth as whiskey. Try this lower-proof rendition well-suited to summer—or find your sweet spot somewhere in between. When these ingredients meet with ice, it's hard to go wrong.
How to Make a Manhattan

2 oz. whiskey
1 oz. sweet...

Last fall, Old Overholt debuted two new whiskeys to celebrate its storied past, but both were limited in scale and scope. Now, one of those whiskeys—Old Overholt 114 Proof—is available nationwide, so American rye lovers, rejoice! It’s also a great week for fans of American whiskey in general, as the eight bottlings on our menu are all U.S. born and bred—including releases from Angel’s Envy, W.L. Weller, and George Dickel. Read on for full details.Angel’s Envy Madeira Finished Straight BourbonStyle: Finished bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 50%
Price: $230
Release: June 2021
Availability: 3,360 bottles, available at the distillery and in select markets: CA, FL, IL, KY, NY, TN, and TX.Need to know:Angel’s Envy’s third release from its Cellar Collection is a blend of whiskeys finished for one year in Madeira casks. Starting May 21, members of Angel’s Envy’s 500 Main club can enter a lottery for a chance to buy a bottle ahead of its June 6...

Plenty of us have favorites when it comes to whisky; perhaps you're loyal to bourbon, or rarely stray from single malt scotch. But there's a whole world of whisky out there, ripe for the taking, and if ever you're in the mood for exploration consider one of the more esoteric offerings we highlight here, such as Japanese rice whisky or grain whiskies.On to the new releases. This week, there are new single malts from Macallan, Balvenie, Paul John, and Penderyn, as well as a host of bourbons up for grabs. Read on for full details.Macallan Harmony Collection Rich CacaoStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: Not statedABV: 44%Price: $160Release: October 2021Availability: LimitedNeed to know:The first in a series focused on sustainable packaging, this single malt whisky is presented in a fully recyclable and biodegradable box made from discarded cacao pod husks. Aged in a combination of European and American oak casks, this expression is inspired by chocolate, as whisky maker...

If you enjoy pairing whisky with cigars, we have the event for you. The second annual Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest hits the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida tomorrow night. The event will feature a grand tasting and seminars, including the chance to taste the 2021 Cigar of the Year, Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo, paired with the 2021 Whisky of the Year, Lagavulin 11 year old Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish. It's sure to be an unforgettable evening filled amazing whiskies and cigars, and the opportunity to meet the people who make them.As for new whiskies this week, some great golf-themed scotches lead the way. Dewar's unveils the latest version of its 19 year old The Champion's Edition which celebrates the U.S. Open; while Loch Lomond has announced two new single malts to honor The Open at St Andrews. Elsewhere, Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing a 20 year old Seagrass under its Gold Label line, and The Dalmore adds a 21 year old single...

It’s that time of year again—the leaves are nearly gone from the trees, cooler air is settling in, and the holiday season is approaching. Thanksgiving kicks things off, bringing a day spent with family, friends, and plenty of food. For us whisky lovers, it provides a perfect opportunity to share time with loved ones as well as a dram or two. 
What’s a good Thanksgiving whisky? Broadly speaking, it’s a nice time to celebrate American whiskeys, in tune with the spirit of the holiday. Bourbon, of course, can certainly star as the quintessential American spirit, but there’s plenty to parse out beyond bourbon—Tennessee whiskeys, ryes, and American single malts, which are garnering greater attention these days. With that in mind, here are Whisky Advocate’s picks for a great Thanksgiving dram.
 
Picks for Thanksgiving Sipping 
 
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon90 points, 58.4%, $45
In addition to being barrel...

Looking for a gift for the whisky lover in your life this holiday season? We've got you covered with these 14 recommendations, ranging from specialty bottles to sweet treats, to unforgettable whisky and cigar experiences. Check out our 12 Whiskies of Christmas for more selections to gift or share this holiday season. And of course, our annual Top 20 list is a great resource if you are looking to gift a bottle, with this year's selections ranging in price from $30 to $275, and covering a range of styles.
New releases this week represent a wide range of styles as well. Old Forester adds to its 117 series with Extra Extra Old; Orphan Barrel releases the final installment in its Muckety-Muck range, a 26 year old single grain whisky; Booker's announces the fourth batch of this year's bourbon; and Mortlach and Talisker each have new aged expressions. Read on for full details. 

Old Forester 117 Series: Extra Extra...

As autumn's cooler temperatures drift over New England, travel to the region heats up. Vacationers may have flocked to New England’s beaches and coastal destinations during the summer, but in fall they focus farther inland, where the vibrant display of autumn foliage blankets much of the region.
Vermont-based WhistlePig’s blender Meghan Ireland.
Yet there’s more reason to travel to New England in the fall than just those treebound pops of color—or for the apple and pumpkin festivals that inject a bit of revelry into many of the region’s quaint towns. Distilling in New England is back in a big way. Making spirits here can be traced back to the 17th century, and although rum was the primary product for centuries, whiskey production has come on strong over the past two decades, which means there’s no shortage of great whiskey distilleries to see and experience.
Here we spotlight eight New England distilleries that make carefully...

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day, there’s no better time of year to savor Irish whiskey. While Jameson has long ruled the roost as the most readily available Irish whiskey on the market, there’s now a wide world of Irish whiskeys out there to enjoy, with the Irish whiskey renaissance moving into full swing. We’ve rounded up some of Ireland’s most exciting releases for a wee bit of exploring on St. Paddy’s.
Method and Madness Rye and Malt, 46%, $80
Rye and Malt is new to the States, and comes from Irish Distillers Micro Distillery at Midleton, the experimental unit where the company’s whiskey makers try new and different combinations while the main distillery next door takes care of the star brands. Rye and Malt is triple distilled, and it combines 60% rye and 40% malted barley. It was aged for just over 6 years in bourbon barrels and bottled at cask strength.
Powers Irish Rye, 43.2%, $32
This is the first 100% Irish rye...

The Wynn Las Vegas mega-resort is anchored by the connected Wynn and Encore hotels, each of which in turn has an even more luxurious boutique “Tower Suites” hotel within it. These twins are linked by casinos, spas, retail therapy, live entertainment, amenities, and a mind-boggling array of bars, restaurants, and lounges. Wynn is the only hotel on the Strip with a golf course, a stunning Tom Fazio design that has drawn pro athletes like Super Bowl champs Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. With all these offerings, the resort has become a favorite destination for those in search of pampering, wellness, food, golf, and increasingly, whisky.
Since the resort hired Mariena Mercer Boarini as master mixologist two years ago she has overseen—and overhauled—most of the cocktail menus and whisky lists for the 34 watering holes within Wynn, a couple of which are entirely new venues. While each has its own signature drinks and whisky list, many share in the extensive...

From Scotland this week, Macallan is out with the third edition in its Harmony Collection, this one created in collaboration with two of Paul McCartney's daughters—fashion designer Stella McCartney and photographer Mary McCartney. Compass Box has a new creation, Art & Decadence, blended from a rich, malty array of cask finishings. On the American whiskey scene, the very prolific Barrell Craft Spirits has a nicely affordable item in Barrell Foundation at $60, its first non-cask strength whiskey.  Pinhook,  meanwhile, has a truly unique concept in its Vertical Series, which follows the progress of 1,350 barrels of high-rye, MGP bourbons as they age over the course of time. First launched in 2019, the project will conclude in 2027, and this week we're greeted with Pinhook Vertical 8. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Verticals seem to be improving with each release, though opinions will vary on that, which is all part of the fun. Plenty of...

There’s a new crop of whiskeys out of California’s Napa Valley region to bring some excitement to your American whiskey assortment.
Boisset Collection—owner of the California wineries Buena Vista Winery, DeLoach Vineyards, Elizabeth Spencer, JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, and Raymond Vineyards, and the U.S.-based outpost of family-owned Boisset, La Famille des Grands Vins—has launched a spirits portfolio under the Calistoga Depot Distillery moniker, with most of the focus on whiskey.
Jean-Charles Boisset, vintner and proprietor of the Boisset Collection, purchased the historic Calistoga Depot in Calistoga, California in 2021. The depot was built by entrepreneur Samuel Brannan in 1868 and is the second-oldest train depot in the state. This newly restored landmark includes a gourmet grocery and, now, a copper-clad distillery tasting room offering ultra-premium, barrel-aged, and wine cask-finished spirits.
Calistoga Depot Distillery tapped local...

Heaven Hill is out with Batch B of Larceny Barrel Proof, the second of what will be three releases in 2024 for this former Whisky of the Year (2020), while Kentucky Peerless has a new rum cask finished offering. It’s the first venture into rum for the highly acclaimed Peerless, which opened its doors in downtown Louisville back in 2015. The Peerless barrel finishing resumé thus far includes double-oaked and absinthe-finished ryes, as well as a double-oaked bourbon, and now this rum cask expression. Elsewhere, we have a new whiskey from the Georgia-based 13th Colony, and Spanish winemaker Bodegas Jaime, which produces the vermouth brand Turmeon, now has a vermouth-finished whiskey that should be shipping out to the U.S. market in the coming months.
Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch B524)
ABV: 62.7%
SRP: $65
Availability: Nationwide
Kentucky distiller Heaven Hill has released the latest batch of its Larceny...

There are just a few whiskeys included among this week’s new rollouts, but those comprise some of the most highly anticipated bourbons on the market. Booker’s leads the way with its first batch of the year, while we also have a new release of Michter’s 10 year old bourbon, and the 11th annual release from Blood Oath. New Riff, meanwhile, has its very limited bourbon and rye labels, both under the Silver Grove name, available at the distillery’s gift shop only, with a portion of sales going to a local charity in nearby Silver Grove, Kentucky. Also new are a double oak bourbon from Buzzard's Roost, and two offerings from the World Whiskey Society.
 
Booker’s “Barry’s Batch” Bourbon (Batch 2025-01)
ABV: 62.85%
SRP: $100
Availability: Limited
The first Booker’s batch of the year has arrived. Named in honor of Barry Berish, a former Jim Beam chairman and CEO (and dear friend of master...

Gifting a bottle seems easy enough, but finding the right bottle for a whisky lover is where the difficulty lies. You could play it safe by buying a bottle of their usual pour, but that isn't very exciting. Alternatively, you could surprise them with something completely new—but then you run the risk of buying something they won't like. 
A great way to start is to focus on flavors. The best approach is to look for whiskies with profiles your giftee likes—focusing on familiar foods like chocolate and barbecue, beverages like coffee or wine, or certain things like cigars—that you know will hit the spot. To cut out the work for you, we've assembled a list of 26 high-scoring whiskies that will please your whisky lover's palate and put a big smile on their face.
Dessert Lovers
For whisky lovers with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of options to choose from, including well-aged bourbons, inventive blends, light-bodied Irish whiskeys, and beyond. The...

Both sides of the pond have announced some notable new releases in this week's wrap-up. From Ireland, Redbreast has a new single pot still whiskey finished in Málaga moscatel wine casks, while scotch whisky blending house Compass Box's annual release of Hedonism drops February  24th. Among single malt scotch whiskies, Macallan has a  James Bond tribute, and Ardbeg has unveiled its  2026 Committee Release, this one a cask strength expression. American whiskeys, meanwhile, announced several new bottlings this week. Most renowned among them—and also the most rarely seen—is Michter's Celebration Sour Mash, which has been released only five times over the past 30 years. Other new whiskies this week include bourbons from Woodford Reserve and Green River, ryes from Stoll & Wolfe and Shiner, and a straight malt from Chattanooga Whiskey.
Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Irish Single Pot Still
ABV: 46%

With the majority of Americans practicing social distancing, whisky drinking habits are being adjusted accordingly. Whisky clubs are still finding ways to enjoy each other's company from a safe distance, with education, tastings, and even barrel picks happening on Zoom and other platforms. We at Whisky Advocate are hosting Instagram Live sessions every Friday at 3 p.m.; this afternoon, I'll be interviewing Mike Vacheresse of Travel Bar Brooklyn to talk about how he's adjusted the business to continue bringing great whisky to his customers. Catch us live or watch later in our Story.There are several new whiskies hitting shelves imminently, coming from all over the world. First up, Laws Whiskey House in Denver is rolling out a 6 year old version of its San Luis Valley bottled in bond rye. The whiskey is priced at $75, available in several states.Penderyn is introducing a new single-cask expression for the U.S. only, aged 10 years in madeira casks. Priced at $110, there are 243 bottles...

Thanks to its spicy nature, rye whiskey can warm your bones on the coldest winter nights. But that doesn't mean you need to avoid it during the milder months. Aside from rye's baking spice flavors, it can have notes of tropical fruit that offer a great flavor transition from summer to fall.
For example, in the Star Gazer, created by Leanne Favre, consulting beverage director at Winona's in Brooklyn, New York, lemon juice adds brightness and rhubarb liqueur's tartness balances the rye's sweet stone fruit flavors. “Contratto adds notes of bitter orange that support the rhubarb liqueur, and the absinthe enhances the herbal qualities of the bitter while contributing cooling spice notes, subtly enriching the cocktail without overpowering it with anise,” Favre says. The result? A rich drink that remains refreshing and bright.
Inspired by warm summer nights spent watching the stars with a drink in hand, this cocktail gives you another excuse to stay up late and soak in...

Indiana-based Hard Truth Distilling Co. is best known for its sweet mash whiskeys made from local grains. Its newest release is no exception, but it has a pretty interesting maturation story that sets it apart from the rest. Named “Grounded in Truth Rye," it is pulled from a single barrel matured on the distillery’s pond.
The whiskey was distilled from Hard Truth’s RW-1 mashbill, 94% rye and 6% malted barley. That same recipe is used to make Hard Truth’s flagship rye, along with several of its cask-finished expressions. The newcomer was aged for 5 years and 8 months, spending the first year and a half in Hard Truth’s Rackhouse No.1. After that, the barrel was transferred to a small wooden shed attached to pontoons—with just enough room for one barrel—that floated on a pond at the distillery. The rye spent the remainder of its aging period there and was emptied on July 16, 2024.
Master distiller Bryan Smith says the pond idea was part...

Over the past few years, one of the biggest stars in the Jack Daniel’s lineup has been Coy Hill. The whiskey, which first hit the scene in 2021 as part of the ongoing Single Barrel Special Releases Series, took the classic Jack Daniel’s profile recipe and cranked it up to 11—showcasing high-proof (often hazmat) single barrels that were aged on the eponymous Coy Hill, the highest point on the distillery’s campus that contains five rickhouses. Last year’s batch, Barrelhouse 8, scored 95 points with our tasting panel, making it one of the highest-rated Jack Daniel whiskeys we’ve ever tasted. Now the distillery is applying that same blueprint to rye with a new expression, Tanyard Hill.
Sky-High Rye
As the name suggests, this release was aged on Tanyard Hill, an area on the western side of the Jack Daniel Distillery campus. Specifically, it’s located southwest of Coy Hill, just up the hill from the Lynchburg Hardware & General...

Thanksgiving is a time to drink and eat with your family, to share memories and joys and field goals. It's also a great time to help spread your love of whisky and potentially create new fans. After all, some friends and family members may never have tried really good whisky or given it much of a chance. As a passionate whisky lover, you can show them what makes whisky so exciting.If you really wanted, you could probably come up with a pretty good whisky pairing to go with turkey, stuffing, or cranberry sauce, and convince the host to put a bottle of whisky on the table next to the wine. But why try to compete with other beverages? Instead, wait until after dinner, when everyone is relaxing, to open some great bottles—and hopefully open some minds too.Whiskies To Share With Family At ThanksgivingIf you want to introduce as-yet-unenlightened family members to the joys of whisky at Thanksgiving, consider making a round of cocktails. Some people just aren't used to sipping spirits, and...

Want to add unique flavors to your favorite cocktails without a lot of effort or money? Try making an infused whisky. It's ridiculously easy and instantly transforms the old and familiar into something exciting and new."Whisky is almost an infusion already, because it starts off as clear spirit and is then essentially infused with wood in the barrel," says Adam Seger, chef and bartender at The Tuck Room LA. “That nice, rich vanilla base opens up a whole host of additional items you can infuse.” Think of Manhattans made with cherry-infused bourbon and orange-infused rye Old Fashioneds—and then think bigger.You can infuse just about any ingredient into whisky. Although fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices are most common, you can also work with butter or even cheese, or fat-wash whisky with smoked ham, cooked bacon, charcuterie, or other meats.Follow These Tips to Start Making Your Own Custom Whisky InfusionsUse High-Proof Whisky"Higher proof is better because it pulls more...

Heads up, whisky lovers! There are lots of new releases to get excited about this week.Jack Daniel's is rolling out a bottled-in-bond version of its classic Tennessee whiskey. Currently available in travel retail stores only, the whiskey will sell for $38 for a 1-liter bottle.Meanwhile, peat heads will want to look for this year's Laphroaig Cairdeas, the distillery's annual special release. The 2018 Cairdeas matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before a finishing period in fino sherry casks. It costs $80 and will be available in limited amounts.Freddie Noe, son of Fred Noe and grandson of the legendary Booker Noe, has unveiled Little Book Chapter 2 "Noe Simple Task." The whiskey combines rye from Kentucky with two whiskies from Canada. Priced a bit higher than Little Book Chapter 1 "The Easy"—which was ranked number 11 in Whisky Advocate's 2017 Top 20—this whiskey is available in limited amounts for $100.Another limited-edition—and bottled-in-bond—bourbon will be hitting...

The official announcement for Spirits of the Apocaplypse, the Walking Dead bourbon, came out this week. Whisky Advocate reported this bottle's imminent arrival back in May, and we're excited to bring you a review in an upcoming Buying Guide.More new whiskies are on their way or hitting shelves now, like the newest limited-edition bourbon from Jim Beam. Knob Creek Quarter Oak includes bourbon was finished for 4 years in a quarter cask; it's priced at $50 and available nationwide for a limited time.Kentucky Owl is rolling out Batch 9 of its bourbon, blended from a number of different whiskeys. There are just over 10,300 bottles available, with a suggested retail price of $300.Dogfish Head has launched its third whiskey, a limited-edition single malt finished in ale casks from the Delaware brewery. Alternate Takes: Vol. 2, Whiskey Finished in Palo Santo Marron Ale Barrels is priced at $50, and there are roughly 6,000 bottles available.Four Gate Whiskey Co. is launching its second...

There are plenty of new whiskies to look for this week. High West is releasing its 2020 allocation of Bourye, a blend of straight bourbon and rye aged at least 10 years. Last year's batch scored 91 points; this is a great whiskey and well worth seeking out if you like big flavor.You'll soon be able to find single barrels of George Remus bourbon and Rossville Union rye on store shelves. MGP Distillery—which provides tons of whiskey to other producers—owns and markets these two brands, and will invite accounts to the distillery to select barrels. Two mashbills of George Remus will be offered, bottled at barrel proof with a suggested retail price per bottle of $60; Rossville Union single barrels—also available in two mashbills—will be offered as a bottled in bond product at a suggested $50 a bottle. The program launches in March, with the first bottles hitting shelves in September.For whiskies you can find now, there are plenty of options. Angel's Envy is releasing the second...

Updated June 13, 2024
Father’s Day is this Sunday, and there’s no better time to celebrate the father figures in our lives. If your dad appreciates a great dram, then odds are there’s a whisky that ties to his other interests, be it a love of cars, the great outdoors, music, or other things. A bottle of whisky goes a long way in letting dad know how much you appreciate him.
History Buff Dad 
Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch, 40% ABV, $35
This blended Highland malt is inspired by the whisky that Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton left behind during a failed bid to reach the South Pole in 1907.
George Washington’s Straight Rye, 43% ABV, $188/375 ml
Researchers discovered the original recipe for Washington’s whiskey in his ledgers from 1798 and 1799—he used a mashbill of 60% rye, 35% corn, and 5% malted barley. Today, that same recipe is made at Mount Vernon Distillery, on the site of Washington’s home.
Grilling...

With St. Patrick’s Day nearly upon us, Irish whiskey will be front and center. It’s a most versatile and exciting spirit, but if your experience with Irish whiskey is limited to downing shots once a year dressed in a green velvet leprechaun’s hat, then we’ve got three routes to help you engage with Irish whiskey on a more rewarding level. First, our neat pour list contains six whiskeys that are worth getting to know better as they represent some of the most flavorsome whiskeys from Ireland right now. Second, for the make-at-home cocktail enthusiast, we pick six bottles to play with at home, each with a different style of Irish whiskey. With dozens of cocktail recipes online for inspiration, we want to be less prescriptive and encourage you to make a cocktail you love using an Irish whiskey and then make it again with a different pick to show you how whisky flavor influences the finished cocktail. Finally, Irish whiskey and food is a match made in heaven, so we...

The June auction market got off to an impressive start, with a bottle of Yamazaki 55 year old selling at the highest hammer price of the year, thanks to a $200,000 bid at Bonhams Skinner, Massachusetts. Yamazaki’s value has fared well in the current market; the last bottle of this Japanese whisky to sell at a U.S. auction house made $210,200 a year ago. Last year, the three highest hammer prices were all Japanese single malts, and two of them were Yamazaki 55 year old. 
Sotheby’s sold antique spirits this month, the prized collection of Mark Wade, co-founder of the Vintage Whiskey Society. Most of the historic bourbon and ryes achieved hammer prices in the range of a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and many exceeded their estimates. Three vintage bottles made $10,000 a piece; Old Stagg Special Reserve 24 year old, Four Roses 1917 16 year old, and Old McBrayer 1917 17 year old.  These were eclipsed by the $24,000 bid for a relatively modern bottle of...

Inspired by the classic summertime cocktail, the Whiskey Smash, this meringue-based dessert is a showstopper that’s simple to pull together. Like the cocktail, it highlights summer’s bounty of fresh strawberries married with a slightly dry, oaky whiskey and enhanced by mint’s brightness.
Mint and whiskey have a special affinity, likely thanks to the mint-forward compounds whiskey picks up from barrels during maturation. Hard Truth sweet mash rye is a solid addition to the recipe, thanks to a minty punch in the form of what our tasting panel found to be peppermint patties, Moroccan mint tea, and Andes chocolate. It’s the backbone of a boozy syrup, made with fresh mint, tossed with strawberries and strewn atop a free-form meringue shell alongside dollops of fresh whipped cream. 
Like the Smash, this three-part recipe is marked by a key technique: “muddling” or “smashing” so the flavors are evenly incorporated. Here it’s...

Back in 2000, Buffalo Trace introduced the first iteration of its Antique Collection. That inaugural release of three whiskeys—Eagle Rare 17 year old bourbon, Weller 19 year old wheated bourbon, and Sazerac 18 year old rye—were among the distillery’s rarest and oldest whiskeys, creating the blueprint for the annual series. In the years that followed, the Antique Collection expanded to include more expressions, and for the most part higher proof points; the 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) further ups the ante, celebrating 25 years of releases with the first new addition to the collection in almost two decades.
The 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Newcomer
Joining the “usual suspects” of the modern Antique Collection—Eagle Rare 17 year old bourbon, George T. Stagg bourbon, Thomas H. Handy rye, Sazerac 18 year old rye, and William Larue Weller bourbon—is Colonel E.H. Taylor bottled in bond bourbon. The first new addition...

American whiskey is traditionally built on some combination of four grains—corn, rye, barley, and wheat. Now, however, adventurous distillers are reaching for a spectrum of unconventional grains, more commonly associated with cereal boxes and superfood salad bars than delicious drams. With their unique flavor contributions, these grains are anything but run of the mill.Brown RiceBrown rice is the whole-grain version of white rice. Unlike white rice, which has its hull, bran, and germ removed, brown rice has only its hull removed.Tastes like: Brown rice imparts a cast of flavors, including toasty, nutty, and starchy notes. “I pick up some toasted grain that's not usually found in the standard bourbon mashbills,” says Fred Noe, Jim Beam master distiller, who also identifies a unique note of sweet potato. “The rice really stands up nicely alongside the sweet oak and rich vanilla notes.”Try this: Jim Beam Signature Craft Brown Rice, an 11 year old bourbon and one of six members...

It's a mixed bag of new whiskies this week: Johnnie Walker launches the first in its new Blenders' Batch series; Buffalo Trace has released its latest Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbon; WhistlePig is debuting its first whiskey made with rye distilled and matured on its Vermont farm; Hochstadter's has a super-aged rye whisky from Alberta Distillers; and Woodford Reserve's special Derby bottle is rolling out.Johnnie Walker Triple Grain American OakStyle: Blended scotchProof: 41.3% ABVPrice: $30Release: March 2017Availability: Nationwide while supplies lastNeed to know:In the course of his work, Johnnie Walker master blender Dr. Jim Beveridge conducts hundreds of experiments to develop new flavor profiles for the brand. This is the first release in the new Blenders’ Batch series, which will feature some of Beveridge’s experimental blends. Per the name, this one includes three types of grain whisky: wheat, barley, and corn.Whisky Advocate says:Johnnie Walker has revealed the two component...

When new distilleries hang out their shingle, many establish their whiskey-making credentials through a family legacy or local historical connections. But Danville, Kentucky'sWilderness Trail—which is releasing its first bourbon and rye in April 2018—has taken a different approach. Rather than finding a colorful story to tell, co-founders Shane Baker and Patrick Heist are emphasizing the scientific pursuit of distilling great whiskey.Baker, a mechanical engineer, and Heist, a PhD microbiologist and biochemist, initially paired up in the 1990s, playing in a grunge and hard rock cover band. Their initiation to whiskey-making, however, started with the consulting company Ferm Solutions, which they founded in 2006. Baker and Heist made a name for themselves as troubleshooters for distilleries around the world, helping clients start distilleries, consulting on bacterial contamination, developing mashbills, and analyzing grain quality, yeast strains, and fermentation. While they can't...

Tomorrow is the 2018 Kentucky Derby, the biggest day in horse-racing and a pretty great excuse to pull out your favorite bourbon for a Mint Julep or two—or even to throw a whole party centered around the most exciting two minutes in sports.But if that's not your thing, there's plenty more to get excited about this week, with new releases from Maker's Mark, Jefferson's, and even Bob Dylan. In fact, the acclaimed folk musician and Nobel Prize winner is rolling out a brand new line of bourbon, whiskey, and rye called Heaven's Door. (If you don't know where the name comes from, take a listen to this.) The bottles feature ironwork designs Dylan crafted himself. While the whiskeys are currently sourced, there are plans to open a distillery for Heaven's Door in Nashville in 2019. This project has legs: one of the founding partners of Angel's Envy is backing it. The bourbon and whiskey will sell for $50, while the rye is $80.Meanwhile, Maker's Mark is offering a new, very limited Private...

The biggest American whiskey in the world, Jack Daniel's, is rolling out a series of exclusive whiskeys. The Tennessee Tasters' Selection offers unusual and creative whiskeys for sale mainly at the distillery in Lynchburg. The first two releases, High Angels' Share Barrels and Hickory Finish, are available now, with the next release, Reunion Barrel, coming in early 2019. Each 375-ml. bottle is $40; batches are around 24,000 bottles, with several batches released each year.More of an Irish whiskey fan? Your ship has come in. Four new whiskeys from the Emerald Isle are making their way to store shelves, offering an array of styles and exciting flavors.First up, the 2018 release of Midleton Very Rare is rolling out now overseas, hitting U.S. shores in 2019. This year's batch blends whiskeys aged 12 to 28 years. It will be available in limited amounts for $200.Next, Kilbeggan has unveiled a pot-distilled whiskey made with at least 30% rye grain—the first such Irish whiskey made in over...

The Boulevardier has a slight a case of mistaken identity. Although many refer to the cocktail as a twist on the Negroni, the Boulevardier actually came first.At the dawn of Prohibition, American bartender Harry McElhone left for Europe, first to England and then France, where he opened an American bar called Harry's Bar, explains Ted Haigh, a.k.a. Dr. Cocktail, author of the award-winning Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails and a founder of The Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans. “He really promoted the idea of cocktails in Europe and had a certain amount of success,” Haigh says.In 1927, McElhone published his first book, Bar Flies and Cocktails. In addition to his own recipes and classics, he included a section in the back of the book highlighting drinks his clientele had created. One was the Boulevardier, credited to writer Erskine Gwynne, who edited a magazine called The Boulevardier. “It was The New Yorker for expatriate Americans in Paris,” Haigh says...

The first WhiskyFest of 2019 hits Chicago on Friday, March 29—and it's going to be a heck of a night. With literally hundreds of whiskies to choose from, figuring out what you most want to try is key. There are the obvious bucket-list whiskies—like Pappy Van Winkle and the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection—as well as a slew of selections from the 2017 and 2018 Top 20, like High West Double Rye, Port Charlotte 10 year old, Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye, Glen Moray 18 year old, Ardbeg An Oa, 1792 Bottled in Bond, and Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2010, 2017 Whisky of the YearElijah Craig Barrel Proof, and 2018 Whisky of the YearNikka From The Barrel.And there's so much more! You could spend the evening tasting only bourbon or scotch, voyaging around the world of single malt, or focusing on whiskies with a shared trait, like the same age or cask finish. Or you could use this list as a guide to some of the bottles Whisky Advocate's editors are most excited about. Be sure you get your...

Game of Thrones might be over, but it lives on in Scotland as Johnnie Walker is launching two new limited-edition blends in honor of the series. Johnnie Walker A Song of Ice honors House Stark, while Johnnie Walker A Song of Fire salutes House Targaryen. Both whiskies are available nationwide for $36.Meanwhile, Glen Moray has debuted a 21 year old single malt finished in port casks. There are 1,200 bottles of the whisky coming to the U.S. this year, priced at $180. Glen Moray announced today that master distiller Graham Coull is leaving to join Ireland's Dingle Distillery—which also has a new whiskey out this week (keep reading).Jameson Caskmates has made two special editions in partnership with Chicago's Revolution Brewing and Bale Breaker Brewing Co. in Yakima, Washington. Both priced at $30, the whiskeys are available within and close to the breweries' home states.Widow Jane is releasing a limited-edition 14 year old blend of straight bourbons sourced from Indiana and Tennessee...

Whisky lovers thirsting for cocktail knowledge can head straight to the source at the newly opened Sazerac House in the heart of New Orleans, where the namesake drink originated. On Oct. 2, Sazerac Co. opened the interactive museum and spirits production facility, shining a light on New Orleans' massively influential cocktail culture, and producing the Sazerac cocktail's two most important ingredients—rye whiskey and Peychaud's bitters—in-house.Located on palm tree-lined Canal Street, just across from the French Quarter, Sazerac House sits just a few hundred yards from the original Sazerac Coffee House, where the Sazerac cocktail was served in the 19th century. The five-story building features three floors of interactive exhibits across 48,000 square feet that plunge guests into the area as it was in the 1800s. Different aspects of cocktail culture are up for exploration, from contemporary mixology (aided by “virtual bartenders,” visitors can explore cocktail recipes based on...

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, and if you're panicking about what whisky to serve, take a breath: We've got you covered, with recommended pours, party-ready punches, and a guide to pairing whisky and pie. (Speaking of which—we can also teach you how to make pie-inspired whisky cocktails.) But if you're looking for brand-new bottles to pop, keep reading.For the high rollers, Michter's is rolling out its aptly-named Celebration just ahead of the holidays. The blend of straight bourbon and rye is priced at $5,000, with just 277 bottles available.At 20% less than Celebration, Glenrothes 40 year old is still a luxury buy. The single malt scotch costs $4,000, with just 66 out of 594 bottles coming to the U.S.Can't let the Americans and Scots corner the high-end whisky market though; Ireland's Chapelgate Whiskey Co. has unveiled J.J. Corry The Chosen, a £6,500 ($8,393) single malt. There are just 100 bottles available.Bardstown Bourbon Co. is releasing the latest batches of its...

Auberge Resorts was born in the heart of Napa Valley wine country before growing into an international collection of more than 20 luxury properties, so it is only fitting that they return to their adult beverage roots. Their new Lodge at Blue Sky, outside Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, where guests enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits, summer and winter, has whiskey on its grounds. The sprawling 3,500-acre dude ranch-style property is home to both the new Auberge Lodge at Blue Sky and highly awarded whiskey maker High West.Worldwide, lodging and distillery combos run the gamut from rooms above the stills to small inns to historic Scottish cottages. Others might throw world-class skiing or equestrian pursuits into the mix. In every case, they make great vacation options for those who enjoy blending two of life's finest pleasures: travel and whisky.
The Auberge Lodge at Blue Sky in Utah sits on a 3,500-acre dude ranch-style property that's also home to High West Distillery...

Distilleries release new whiskies all the time, but rarely does a single producer debut multiple products at once. Old Elk is taking that route, however, launching new expressions of straight rye, wheat whiskey, and wheated bourbon across the country by mid-April. These aren't limited-edition whiskeys either; they're permanent additions to the lineup, with ample availability to satisfy drinker demand.Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Old Elk produces just 150 barrels of whiskey per year, although it's in the process of building a huge new distillery. The bulk of its whiskeys currently in bottle were distilled at MGP Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. That's not just because MGP has the capacity; Old Elk's master distiller, Greg Metze, was a long-time employee at the Lawrenceburg facility, holding the title of master distiller when he resigned in June 2016. While still employed at MGP, Metze designed Old Elk's custom mashbills and oversaw its first distillations. Now mature, these...

The night of the tasting is at hand. Whiskies have been assembled, glasses are polished and spotless, and the table is clad in white, which leaves only the menu to be decided.
Wait, the menu? For a whisky tasting?
Absolutely! While food outside of bland crackers or bread is unwelcome at critical tastings where judging or reviewing is the goal, a social tasting is another animal altogether. Indeed, having food available to promote conviviality and help allay the effects of the alcohol should be considered both a social and socially responsible imperative. In addition, tasting more than a few whiskies is sure to induce palate fatigue, where the taste buds simply become exhausted. The right nosh can not only make a whisky more enjoyable, but also renew the palate in the process.
Your whisky tasting table can range from relaxed, with bags and boxes of prepared snacks and hors d'oeuvres, to a multi-course meal, according to the occasion and the whiskies on offer. However, a...

Bourbon from Stitzel-Weller Distillery and labels carrying the Van Winkle name were the leading bottles at Whisky Auctioneer's Century of American Whiskey auction. The auction topped $1 million, galloping past the total from Sotheby's Thoroughbred Collection, and more than doubling the total from Pat's Whiskey Collection Heart & Soul sale. A bidder based in the U.S. placed the highest bid at nearly $30,000 to win the Corti Brothers Van Winkle 19 year old Special Reserve 1975. It's a substantial increase in the record price: this rarity has never previously sold for more than $10,000.“We were confident that this curation of America's most historic and important whiskeys would elicit a
lot of interest, but the appetite for these bottles far surpassed our expectations,” said Joe Wilson, head of auction content at Whisky Auctioneer, in a statement which confirmed the auction raised £768,462, equivalent to $1,054,089. “The combination of historic...

St. Patrick's Day may have passed, but that doesn't mean you need to abandon your Irish whiskey altogether. We have some simple cocktail recipes and a list of high-scoring bottles that will serve you well throughout the year. And of course, you can always work on making the perfect Irish coffee ahead of next year's festivities.The top new releases this week mostly hail from Kentucky, as Castle & Key debuts its small batch bourbon. The first batch is coming this month, and the second will arrive in May. Meanwhile, Barton 1792 is extending its Thomas S. Moore line of finished bourbons with finishes in madeira, sherry, cognac, and merlot casks, and Japan's Kaiyō adds two blended malts to its range. Read on for full details.Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon 2022 Release (Batch 1) Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyABV: 49%Age: 4 year oldPrice: $50Release: March 2022Availability: 18,564 bottles in AZ, CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, NJ, NY, OK, SC, TN, TX, WA, and WICastle & Key...

In 2018, scotch whisky distiller Glen Moray sparked debate with the release of its Cider Cask Project, the distillery’s single malt finished in hard cider casks. The UK-exclusive bottling had the sweet vanilla flavors characteristic of Glen Moray’s signature single malt, paired with caramel apple notes resulting from its time in cider barrels. 
But it was a contentious bottling, as it was released before the rules governing scotch maturation were relaxed to allow use of barrels that had previously held other spirits like tequila, beer, and wine. The company got around those regulations by seasoning its own casks with cider from a local producer, before taking back the barrels to finish its whisky.
It was a first for a scotch distiller, but Glen Moray wasn’t the pioneer of the global whisky industry. In regions where the rules around maturation are less stringent, cider casks, ice cider, apple brandy barrels, and other fruity vessels are increasingly used...

Some people love whisky, but most everyone loves dogs, and when vacation time comes, nowadays people are increasingly inclined to bring along the family pooch. Indeed, demand for dog travel is so high these days that many hotels, restaurants, and attractions that once catered only to humans have opened their doors to pets. The trend fueled the recent record use of private jets, and NetJets now even provides its staff with canine training. But you don’t need a private jet to have a great vacation with your best buddy in Kentucky, where the nation’s richest whiskey culture offers an extraordinary level of dog-friendly amenities. Call it Southern hospitality, canine-style.

Day One
Welcome to Louisville! Start your trip in Kentucky’s biggest city with a visit to something few other cities boast: a “dog park bar.” PG&J is a full-blown, indoor/outdoor off-leash dog park and bar, and like all the best fur-friendly spots, it’s named for...

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and while the classics are always a safe bet—think flowers, chocolate, and jewelry—what better way to celebrate the whisky-appreciating mom in your life than with a memorable trip to a distillery event? Distilleries across the country are hosting events this weekend, ranging from a gift market at Westward Whiskey in Portland, Oregon happening tomorrow to a special guided tour of Sagamore Spirit in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday. Of course, the "Succession" lovers among us know that Sunday is also the eighth episode of the final season—we've rounded up a complete list of whiskies spotted on the show, as well as some recommendations of our own that will have you sipping as the Roys do.
As far as new whiskies go, Hirsch pays homage to a past release with a new single barrel Kentucky bourbon, Santa Fe Spirits debuts an American single malt from New Mexico, and Colorado-based Laws Whiskey House is back...

When the nice weather arrives, there’s no better place to be than the great outdoors. Chances are you’ll want to enjoy a dram outside now and again—whether it’s an evening at the park, a trip to the beach, an open-air concert, a party, or any other outdoor event. We've put together a list of equipment to make the most of your al fresco affair, so ditch the clunky cooler, leave the breakable glassware, and check out these stylish alternatives to enhance the experience.
Among this week's new whiskies, Blackened is back with a new limited-edition bottle that celebrates Metallica’s 72 Seasons album and M72 world tour, Four Roses has come out with a nifty sample pack of the 10 component whiskeys used in making its various bourbons, and Frey Ranch brings a cask strength bourbon to the table. Read on for full details.
Blackened 72 Seasons Limited Edition
Style: Blend
Origin: Multiple
Age: Not...

A beautiful thing happens when whiskey meets a teaspoon (or mountain) of sugar. The bold flavors of a neat pour are eased into a delectable saccharine hug—all of its warmth and unique flavors left to be enjoyed. Whiskey desserts aren’t anything new, but there’s a lot more on the roster than the classic Irish coffee cake. Though whiskey’s rich and buttery mouthfeel holds up against other ingredients that have a bitter edge, like chocolate and coffee, it also is a natural pair for less acerbic, but equally rich flavors such as stone fruits, berries, vanilla, and caramel. All of this offers a platform for whiskey to take the stage in sweet treats. 
When it comes to your choice of whiskey, a few general tips prevail. Vanilla-tinged spirits like bourbon, Tennessee, and American rye whiskeys make a great addition, bringing out the round, soft flavors of the dessert’s sweetness while adding some punch to keep it interesting. Corn and Canadian whisky, on...

Whatever happened to the dog days of summer? The whisky world has been keeping us busy lately with new releases from distillers far and wide. We've been tasting some excellent ones, as attested by some of our latest new whisky ratings. This week, there's more. Baker's is back with its 13 year old expression, which we haven't seen since 2019. Hardin's Creek has dropped the second release in its three-part Kentucky Series (the third is due in September), while Elijah Craig honors the players at golf's Ryder Cup with a new bourbon finished in toasted European oak. WhistlePig is out with FarmStock Beyond Bonded, which is actually 3 bottlings—a bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey, all of them single barrels. And whisky purists, take cover! Glenlivet has just released two pre-made cocktails, a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned, in 375 ml bottles. Back in 2019 Glenlivet briefly stepped outside the box with its Capsule Collection, described as "glassless cocktails" wrapped...

No matter the style of gin (and there are a few), you can always count on a bounty of botanicals, as the spirit harnesses some of the most potent and arresting flavors nature has to offer. Generally speaking, gin can be distilled from any raw material; from rye, wheat, barley, or corn, to potatoes or grapes. Genever, the oldest style of gin, is an exception to this rule, as it must be made from grain. The majority of gins are dry and juniper-forward—think London Dry as the pinnacle of this style—and they’re augmented by the likes of citrus peel, coriander, and countless other botanicals in bespoke blends. Old Tom gins are outliers in this respect, as unlike their dry and herbaceous counterparts, they’re notably sweet, be it from the addition of sweeteners or barrel aging. Of note: Old Tom is the only style that can be called “barrel-aged” according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). All other gin exists only as an unaged...

It started as a warehouse joke. “Everyone does a cigar batch or a cigar blend,” says Macaulay Minton, president and chief alchemist at Dark Arts Whiskey House in Lexington, Kentucky. “I’m a cannabis consumer, so I said, ‘Let’s make a blunt blend.’” Minton’s crew chuckled, then got serious, yanking some barrels for a blend of straight rye whiskeys that would be ideal to pair with marijuana.
Dark Arts Blunt Blend is the first time anyone’s created a whiskey made to pair with marijuana. “There’s a lot of beer-centric cannabis accompaniments or cigar and whiskey pairings, but no whiskey made with cannabis in mind,” says Minton. (To be clear: there’s no marijuana in this whiskey.)
“I wanted this to be perfect whiskey to complement weed smoking,” says Minton, “We tried some blends, but we were most drawn to the rye because of the herbaceousness and spice quality,” he says...

Ardbeg made a splash this week with news of the return of its much-coveted 17 year old, which will be available only to members of the Ardbeg Committee fan club later this month. Noteworthy among nationally available releases is Clonakilty's Irish single pot still expression, the western Ireland producer that started laying down whiskey in 2019 with single pot still as its primary focus. Bardstown Bourbon Co. has new releases for both its Collaborative Series and its Discovery Series, while Kentucky blender Dixon Dedman’s 2XO has a new edition in its Icon Series. Filmland Spirits, the company that combines a passion for both whiskey and cinema, is out with its latest movie-inspired blockbuster, this one a blend of four bourbons. And there's more, as the autumn whisky release season begins kicking into high gear. 
Ardbeg 17 year old The Legend Returns 
ABV: 40%
Price: $190
Availability: ardbeg.com, at the Distillery Visitor...

Angel’s Envy is creating excitement with today’s official unveiling of a new addition to the range, its first in many years. Elsewhere in the bourbon world, Jim Rutledge, formerly of Four Roses fame, continues his revival of Cream of Kentucky, the legacy brand acquired in 2019, with two new releases. Rutledge's whiskeys are still sourced for now as he moves toward opening his own distillery. Meanwhile, Lux Row has a new sherry cask-finished bourbon, and WhistlePig revs it up with another Formula 1-themed release.
There’s much more on offer, including new bourbons from Hidden Barn, Wyoming Whiskey, and O.H. Ingram, as well as a new cask finished scotch from Speyside single malt maker Speyburn. On the collectibles side, scotch distiller Benromach has a 50 year old single malt, made before Benromach was acquired by its current owner, Scottish independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail, in 1993. Alas, the price for this precious liquid falls into the...

Whiskeys of great age are in evidence once again this week, with Old Grand-Dad releasing its first-ever 16 year old bourbon, Stranahan’s dropping one of the oldest American single malt ever in its new 12 year old  Mountain Angel, and Barrell Craft Spirits releasing a far older version of its New Year Blend than last year's expression. Whatever the reason for all this aging up, it’s certainly good news for whiskey lovers, as older whiskeys are usually, though not always, a better sip.
Elsewhere, J. Mattingly and Jeptha Creed once again honor our veterans—Mattingly with the fifth release of its 1845 Combat Infantry Badge Bourbon, and Jeptha with the third batch of its Red White and Blue bourbon, with a portion of sales for both going to military-related non-profits. Finally, The Hearach, the single malt scotch made on the remote island of Lewis and Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides and founded in 2015, has added a new...

Whether making bourbon, rye, wheat, or any other style of American whiskey, all distillers are faced with a choice between using sour or sweet mash. But what exactly are they, and what is the difference between the two?
First, a quick review of the initial steps in whiskey making. Milled grains are blended with water to create what’s called a mash. The grain element has natural sweetness, and into this mix goes yeast, which touches off fermentation to turn that sweetness into alcohol. The resulting beer-like liquid—the mash—is then distilled into whiskey.
Generations ago, distillers discovered the idea of adding something to the mash called backset—liquid strained from the previous batch. Whiskeys made without backset are sweet mash whiskeys, and those with backset are sour mash whiskeys. Why would anyone choose to add this strange acidic substance to a mash? Sour mash distillers use the backset to protect against bacterial contamination during...

Whether you’re a casual whiskey drinker who values readily available brands or a serious enthusiast seeking out the most compelling expressions in allocated quantities, there are ample hot options on the open market. The 12 whiskeys that follow represent the full spectrum of desirability, from those with exceptional quality and scarcity to those with wider availability.
Culled by scouring secondary markets, fan forums, sub-Reddits, and online chat groups, this list comprises bottles at the top of their class, whether from legendary Kentucky rickhouses or emerging craft distilleries. Here they are:
Redemption 18 year old bourbon (2025), 51.7%, $400
Redemption first launched its Ancients series of ultra-aged Indiana-distilled bourbon in 2017. (First, an 18 year old rye, next, a 36 year old bourbon.) Then…nothing further. Until now. Redemption’s Ancients series makes a triumphant return with an 18 old year blend of 69 barrels, or about 2,400 bottles. It...

Each year since 2007, Heaven Hill Distillery releases a new expression in its sought-after Parker’s Heritage Collection. The collectible series gets its name from legendary master distiller Parker Beam—grandnephew of Jim Beam—who spent nearly six decades working at the distillery, during which he created such iconic labels as Elijah Craig Small Batch, Evan Williams Vintage Single Barrel, Rittenhouse Rye, and others. Beam was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, and shifted into an emeritus position at the distillery until his death in 2017. As a way of paying tribute to him, every Parker’s Heritage release from 2013 onward contributed a portion of its sales toward ALS research—raising more than $1.4 million over the years.
The collection is best known for its many creative expressions, which often showcase an experimental production process. Each batch typically starts with well-aged whiskey and features an interesting maturation, finishing cask, or unique...

Sotheby’s shattered auction records galore in New York on January 24th, as The Great American Whiskey Collection lived up to its name. Now the most valuable American whiskey collection ever sold at auction, its combined hammer price* of $2,003,900 (or $2,504,892 with buyer’s premiums) soared above the $1.2–$1.7 million pre-sale estimate. Old Rip Van Winkle 20 year old (distilled in 1982) for Sam’s Wines & Spirits achieved a new auction record for American whiskey, with a hammer price of $130,000 (or $162,500 with buyer’s premiums). This is the highest proof Van Winkle release in history at 133.4 proof, one of only 60 bottles created. This is the first appearance of the bottling for Sam’s to hit the auction block in over a decade.
At the podium on the Breuer Building, Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s global head of spirits, gave an electrifying performance as the new record was set, tapping his hammer repeatedly to quiet the room as the major...

Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley have done celebrity whiskey differently. The duo—famed for their roles as brothers in the television show “The Vampire Diaries”—has earned respect in the whiskey community for their Brother’s Bond brand, which launched in 2021. Brother’s Bond has gone beyond the normal boundaries of a celebrity brand—one that gets attention only because its founders are famous—to become valued by whiskey aficionados as quality liquid. Somerhalder and Wesley have gained notoriety for their involvement in creating and shaping each release, with Somerhalder taking a hands-on approach to the blending and liquid evaluation while Wesley handles creative direction and brand expression.
Brother’s Bond has released a new whiskey every year since its launch five years ago. Its flagship Straight Bourbon (40% ABV, $42) is a four-grain, high-rye blended from small-batch barrels, and it was followed soon after by Cask Strength...

92 points, 45% ABV, $20This spicy, scrumptious beauty comprises 60% column distilled rye whisky blended with column and pot distilled wheat whisky in a corn base, each matured in different barrel types. The nose screams “Rye!” while the price screams “Value!” Linseed oil, German rye bread, rosewater, blazing cayenne, and that glorious roughneck whack of rye spices. Peppery heat in creamy cereal, with vanilla, coconut, and an oiliness that fades onto a brisk, wet slate finish

The winter months can be quiet on the new whisky front. After the rush of holiday releases, many distillers pause for a breath and to look ahead to the rest of the year. But even in January lull, there are new bottles to keep things interesting.First up, Johnnie Walker's newest Blenders' Batch is launching at travel retail stores around the world. The blend is finished in sherry casks, which results in sweet fruity flavors. The Blenders' Batch releases have varied widely and show off the diversity of flavor profiles blending can achieve. Johnnie Walker Blenders' Batch Triple Grain American Oak was our Fall 2017 Value Pick.Gatlinburg, Tennessee's Sugarlands Distilling Company is about to launch its latest batch of straight rye whiskey. The barrel-proof expression will be available for pre-sale on Sugarlands' website starting February 2nd, but you must be able to pick it up in person at the distillery.Finally, Macallan is rolling out a limited-edition gift pack of its Double Cask 12...

The Irish Distillers Micro Distillery, an experimental center on the campus of the giant Midleton Distillery in County Cork, has released interesting and unusual whiskeys since it began in 2015, mainly under the Method & Madness name. Its kaleidoscope of expressions has featured cask types including mulberry, cherry, acacia, Japanese cedar, French chestnut, and many others, as well as mashbills of oats and malt, single grain, and single pot still. But precious few of these intriguing items have reached U.S. shores.
The latest Method & Madness expression, Method & Madness Rye and Malt, is being made available as a U.S. exclusive. This whiskey originally launched in Ireland and other European markets back in 2021, but that expression was double-distilled, while this one is triple-distilled. Only a small amount—5,000 bottles—is being released for this U.S. exclusive, in keeping with the small, quirky nature of the Method and Madness project.
This new...

This is a great week for scotch lovers. A whole boatload of new single malts—and a couple new blends—are rolling out to store shelves. First, Macallan has two new releases to track down: Fine Oak 18 year old—which was released overseas before coming to the U.S.—joins the existing Fine Oak range of age statement whiskies. Macallan Classic Cut, on the other hand, is an NAS whisky bottled at cask strength. It's around for a limited time only and has a recommended price of $89.Macallan's parent company, Edrington Group, also owns Highland Park, and the Orkney distillery has a new whisky designed with music in mind. Highland Park Full Volume is around 18 years old and was matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks. Like Glenmorangie Pride 1974, the whisky has a custom piece of music written to go with it.Compass Box is debuting two new blended malts. Although the company has famously fought for more transparency in scotch labeling, it is deliberately holding back information about its...

In case you missed it, the biggest news of the week is the announcement of Whisky of the Year, along with the reveal of the full Top 20 whiskies of 2018. Get on over to the list to read up on why these are the most exciting bottles of the year.Meanwhile, there are tons of new whiskies to look forward to, some of which are hitting shelves right now. First up, Basil Hayden's has released its first age-statement bourbon, a 10 year old. The whiskey will be for sale in limited amounts for $60, and will return in future holiday seasons.Compass Box has two new releases coming out: Juveniles is a blended malt made in partnership with a Paris wine bar and features a whimsical bell on the bottle. Nearly 15,000 bottles are available for $150 each. Compass Box Stranger & Stranger isn't technically a whisky—it includes a very small amount of grain spirit that doesn't meet the 3-year minimum aging requirement for scotch—but the company is betting few drinkers will mind. Around 4,000 bottles...

Lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders continue throughout the world, impacting even whisky distillers and blenders, but since most of them are well-stocked with top-quality bottles, they're drinking quite well. So are whisky clubs, who are so intent on gathering—virtually—to enjoy camaraderie and great drams that several are increasing the frequency of their meetings. Many folks are enjoying cocktails at home as well, often thanks to DIY cocktail kits from both local bars and online delivery services.And even in this time, new whiskies are rolling out. The long-anticipated debut of Virginia Distillery Co.'s fully house-made single malt has arrived. Courage & Conviction hits shelves this month, priced at $75. The first batch of 9,600 bottles is named for the late company founder, George G. Moore.Buffalo Trace is launching the fourth release in the Old Charter Oak bourbon range. Old Charter Oak Chinkapin Oak is $70 and available in limited amounts.Chicken Cock has a new straight...

As craft distilleries across the country find new ways to welcome visitors safely, many whisky lovers are looking for new bottles to try. There's plenty to satisfy on that front this week, with fresh releases celebrating big moments and others pioneering novel flavors.First up, Heaven Hill Distillery has debuted Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, a bourbon finished in a second, new, charred, and heavily toasted cask. It's available nationwide, priced at $50.Heaven Hill is also rolling out the Spring 2020 release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond, this time at 9 years old. The bourbon is priced at $90 and available in limited amounts.Jack Daniel's has partnered with country singer Eric Church on a limited-edition single-barrel release. Roughly 60,000 bottles of the Tennessee whiskey are available, priced at $50.Johnnie Walker has created a trio of special blended scotches to celebrate its 200th anniversary this year. John Walker & Sons Celebratory Blend is inspired by the brand's...

It's a big week for the Emerald Isle—or at least its distillers—as several new Irish whiskeys are making their stateside debut.First up, Boann Distillery is adding a trio of cask-finished offerings to supplement its recently released Whistler Double Oaked blend. The Whistler Oloroso Cask-Finished ($35) is widely available, while Calvados Cask-Finished ($40) and Imperial Stout Cask-Finished ($40) are both more limited, with 3,000 bottles available.Sliabh Liag Distillers is launching the Legendary Silkie with two blends, one lightly peated ($42) and the more heavily peated Dark Silkie ($44)—both using Irish peat, a first in the U.S. The whiskeys are available in several states, with expansion planned.The first whiskeys made at Royal Oak Distillery have come of age and are being released as The Busker. The lineup includes single malt, single grain, and single pot still whiskeys (all $30), as well as a blend ($25) of all three. They are widely available.Moving away from Ireland...

There are more whiskey options nowadays than ever before, with hundreds of bottles on the shelves of some stores—but you may be surprised to discover that some of them aren't true whiskey. Many products, including the ones below, use words like whiskey, bourbon, and rye prominently on their labels, and some display the names of well-known whiskey brands; however, none of these are straight whiskey. That doesn't mean they're inferior or you shouldn't consider drinking them, but that they may display flavors well outside what's normal for conventional whiskey.
Know What You're Drinking: Whiskey Liqueurs, Flavored Whiskeys & Whiskey Specialties

Angel's Envy Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Barrels
Looks like: Bourbon
It's really: Whiskey specialty - Kentucky straight bourbon finished in port barrels. (93 points)
Basil Hayden's Dark Rye
Looks like: Rye
It's really: Whiskey specialty - Kentucky straight rye blended with Canadian rye...

In case you haven't heard: Our Top 20 whiskies of 2020 have been unveiled! Check out the list and join us at 3 p.m. today on Instagram Live, where we'll be discussing and tasting several of the winners.On to new releases! Stranahan's is making some of its rarest whiskeys available to benefit the Colorado communities impacted by recent wildfires. While its annual Snowflake release—which sees long lines of fans congregating for days ahead of time outside the distillery—is on hold until February 2021, the distillery is offering five bottles each of its 2015-2019 releases at auction. Proceeds will benefit the Colorado State Firefighters Foundation, and Stranahan's will match the gift up to $25,000. Follow the distillery's Instagram page for more information.Woodford Reserve has revealed its latest Master's Collection whiskey, Very Fine Rare. The bourbon is available in limited amounts, priced at $130, and debuts in a new bottle.Barrell is launching its annual New Year blended straight...

With 2020 almost behind us, let's look ahead to the new year—and all the new whiskies it will bring, starting with these latest releases.Jefferson's is offering a single-barrel bourbon nationwide. Priced at $55, it's available in limited amounts.Israel's M&H Distillery is rolling out three new expressions in the U.S.: Elements Peated and Elements Red Wine Cask (both $65), which are widely available, and a single-cask STR-matured single malt ($90) with just 282 bottles.Brown Water Spirits has launched O.H. Ingram River-Aged Straight rye. There are 2,400 bottles in the first batch, priced at $80.Buzzard's Roost has added a toasted barrel-finished rye to its lineup. The whiskey is priced at $79 and available in limited amounts.Finally, Buena Vista, Colorado's Deerhammer Distillery has debuted the second whiskey in its Progeny Series, Cask Savant. Distilled from a Brett beer, the whiskey is limited to 250 bottles, priced at $70.Read on for full details.Jefferson's Reserve Single...

Anyone looking to pad their whiskey collection with some antique American bottles should check out Whisky Auctioneer's A Century of American Whiskey which runs until Aug. 23. Our auctions expert previewed some of the Pappy Van Winkle, Wild Turkey, and Old Overholt up for bid, even sampling a few of these rare items.In terms of new arrivals, this week there are plenty to choose from. Glenfiddich adds a cognac-finish to its Grand Series, Dalmore unveils a collection of whiskies selected from the last 60 years, Michter's brings back its Toasted Barrel Finish, plus more new bourbons and ryes. Read on for full details.Glenfiddich Grande CouronneStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: 26 year oldABV: 43.8%Price: $600Release: August 2021Availability: NationwideNeed to know:Initially matured in American and European oak casks, this whisky was then finished in cognac casks for up to two years—marking the first time Glenfiddich has ever released a cognac-finished expression. Grande...

UPDATE (March 21, 2022): This dedicated American whiskey auction held on March 19th at Sotheby's topped $1 million, marking a new milestone for the auction house. The hammer price totaled $1,307,450, and included the American Muscle Collection, which commanded $902,400, as well as the Three Continents Collection Part III, which reached $161,400. A bottle of LeNell's Red Hook Rye 24 year old barrel #4 achieved the top hammer price of $35,000—one of the additional lots outside the main collections. Some 75% of the lots sold exceeded their high estimates, according to Sotheby's. North America-based collectors acquired 93% of the sold lots, and nearly 60% of the sale's buyers were new to Sotheby's. Also noteworthy was that 42% of buyers were under 40 years old, Sotheby's added.On March 19th, Sotheby's New York will auction over 1,000 bottles of bourbon and rye with an estimated value of $1-$1.4 million in its American Muscle and Three Continents Part III sale. Stocked with popular...

Food pairings can elevate any drinking experience, whether you are tasting as a group or enjoying a dram on your own. Cheese is a good choice, with a wide array of styles offering a multitude of pairing options. Get started with our guide to matching whisky and cheese and see which combination works best for you.If you're looking for a new whisky to crack open, we have plenty to choose from this week. Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is back, this time with an online lottery; Ross & Squibb unveils the latest batch of its Remus Repeal Reserve series; and Jefferson's adds a new wheated bourbon to its Aged at Sea series. For scotch lovers, Ardbeg is out with the fourth edition of Traigh Bhan, its 19 year old annual release. Meanwhile, for collectors, we also have all the details on the new Littlemill bottling, as the lost Lowland distillery releases its oldest whisky ever. Read on for full details.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (2022 Release)
Style: Straight bourbonOrigin...

We cover new releases here every week, but we also like to ask distillers and blenders what they're working on that's yet to be announced. Case in point, we recently spoke to Owen Martin, the new master distiller at Angel's Envy, about what cask finishes excite him as he settles into his new role with the Louisville distiller. 
As for this week's new releases, we have a debut scotch and a number of American whiskeys. Lochlea Our Barley, the new flagship single malt scotch from Lochlea Distillery, hits shelves in the U.S., albeit in limited quantities. Lochlea, a Lowlands distillery that has been producing since only 2018, is run by former Laphroaig distillery manager John Campbell, who moved from Laphroaig last November after a 25 year career there.  Barrell Craft Spirits announces the latest additions to Stellum Black, its line of specialty blends, Jack Daniel adds a whiskey finished with toasted pecan wood chips to its Distillery...

As Fèis Ìle 2023 gets underway on Islay this weekend, Kilchoman made headlines this week when it announced plans to build a rum distillery on the island of Barbados. The new site will sit on nine acres of land at Bentley Mansion and will include a distillery, mill, and cask warehouse.
As far as new whisky, this week’s releases include a finished bourbon from Penelope, a straight bourbon from NBA star Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and two limited single malts from Suntory in celebration of its 100th anniversary. Read on for full details.
Penelope Cooper Series Rio
Style: Finished bourbon
Origin: Indiana
Age: Not stated
ABV: 49%
Price: $90
Release: May 2023
Availability: Limited
Need to know: 
A blend of three bourbons, the mashbill of this whiskey is 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley. Inspired by...

American whiskey makers are getting an early jump on the year's releases, as Old Forester kicks things off with a new expression in its Whiskey Row Series. This series was started in 2014, with each release highlighting a significant historical milestone in Old Forester's history. The latest release, 1924, channels the Prohibition era. It has a bit more age than the core whiskey, which is usually matured for around  4 to 6 years. It also has a slightly different mashbill, with the rye component much lower than that of the traditional Old Forester. Commemorating its history is a prominent theme for Old Forester, even more so than most whiskey houses: its 117 Series, which launched in 2021, themes its releases in a similar way, and the company's annual Birthday Bourbon release honors the founder. Elsewhere among new rollouts, Angel's Envy is out with a three-pack of finished bourbons—oloroso sherry cask, tawny port, and madeira...

No dog days of summer this week, as whisky lovers are being treated to lots of exciting news. In American whiskey, Seattle's Westland Distillery,  whose co-founder Matt Hofmann moved on last year, continues its reset with the release of  two new expressions—one finished in beer casks and the other in wine casks. Knob Creek, always among the most traditional of whiskey makers, gets creative with a new blend of bourbon and rye, while Woodford Reserve has blended two malt whiskeys for the latest edition in its Distillery Series. Dixon Dedman, who made his name with the Kentucky Owl whiskeys back in 2014, continues to see his star rise with 2XO, whose latest release is a bourbon finished in French oak casks.
Not to be outdone, the scotch side has some very interesting news. Compass Box, whose celebrated founder John Glaser departed the company earlier this year, is ready for its next act with two entirely new labels...

September’s auction market got off to a flying start with a full lineup of events offering collectors the opportunity to acquire some impressive rarities. Sotheby’s brought a mixture of scotch, Japanese, bourbon, and rye to New York, led by 57, 60, and 62 year olds from the Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection selling for $75,000, $60,000 and $30,000 respectively. Macallan Anniversary Malt 1928 50 year old garnered $55,000, and Macallan Millennium 1949 50 year old went for $20,000. Further high-value scotch selections included Glenfiddich 50 year old First release going for a hammer price of $12,000, Gordon & MacPhail Mortlach 1938 60 year old which hammered at $8,500, and Black Bowmore 1964 30 year old Second Release which reached $8,000. Rye whiskey performed strongly, topped by a bottle of LeNell’s Red Hook Rye 23 year old Barrel No. 1 which hit a hammer price of $42,000. A bottle of Rathskeller Rye, a 24 year old...

Every fall, whiskey devotees anticipate the release of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC)—a series of rare and coveted whiskeys made by Kentucky-based Buffalo Trace Distillery. The 2024 collection has just been announced, and it’s starting to make its way into stores, bars, and restaurants around the country.
The very first BTAC hit the scene over two decades ago, and back then it only included three expressions: Eagle Rare 17 year old bourbon, Weller 19 year old wheated bourbon, and Sazerac 18 year old rye, all bottled at 45%. Over the years George T. Stagg bourbon and Thomas H. Handy rye would join the party, while Weller 19 would be subbed out in favor of the younger William Larue Weller.
The BTAC lineup hasn’t changed all that much in recent years, typically featuring the same five labels with the main differences being proofs and age statements. Generally speaking, the 2024 collection turns up slightly younger than last year’s group...

Bidding at December’s auctions continued in the successful fashion of November’s sales, with strong prices achieved for Macallan, Hibiki 40 year old, and bottlings of LeNell’s Red Hook Rye in particular. In addition to the highlights below, Whisky.Auction received a winning bid of $46,895 for a bottle of Macallan The Red Collection 78 year old, while Scotch Whisky Auctions sold a Macallan Anniversary Malt 50 year old for $31,862.
This month also saw the first auction appearances of Macallan Time: Space 84 year old, beginning with Whisky Auctioneer in Scotland and then at Sotheby’s, Hong Kong. Sadly, neither set found a buyer, taking away the opportunity this year for it to make history by becoming the oldest-ever whisky to sell at auction. The holder of that record, Macallan The Reach 81 year old, has also struggled to sell at auction in the last few months, though Macallan remains the leading brand in our monthly list of top 20 hammer prices.
Look out...

Memorial Day is about honoring our fallen soldiers, but the holiday weekend also represents the unofficial start of summer, when the season's gatherings begin. While the weather can sometimes interfere with our outdoor plans, it's often a time for backyard cookouts and parties. Here we add whiskey to the occasion, with a selection of 10 American expressions that are perfect for barbecue sipping. 
 
 
94 points - Booker's "Springfield Batch" Straight Bourbon (Batch 2024-01), 62.25%, $90
Booker's is a longtime barbecue favorite—back in 2018 it even gave one of its releases the name "Backyard Barbecue." The Springfield Batch edition, released last year, was exceptional, finishing at No.-6 on our Top 20 and offering caramel, dark chocolate, baking spice, and a finish that catapults it into greatness. While each batch is different, all are highly flavorful with proof levels and structures giving them plenty of...

For the past decade, followers of the Kentucky-based Wild Turkey Distillery have been treated to the Master’s Keep collection, a series of high-end annual releases that often tread beyond the distillery’s usual profile. Master’s Keep was created in 2015 by Eddie Russell—son of legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell—who also created Russell’s Reserve in 2001, and has helmed the Master’s Keep project from the beginning. The series kicked off with an impressive 17 year old bourbon—even today, Eddie hails it as the “most unique whiskey we’ve ever released”—which was bottled at the fairly low cask strength of 86.8 proof. That whiskey hit shelves the same year that Eddie was promoted to master distiller, and many saw it as a passing of the torch, with Eddie coming into his own as a whiskey maker.
The first batch was intended as a one-off, but Wild Turkey then decided to turn Master’s Keep into an annual...

Cask finishing can take many forms; its ultimate purpose is to imbue a whisky with layered flavors that elevate its character after initial maturation in a different type of barrel. Rum cask-finished whiskies generally present notes of juicy tropical fruits. Casks that previously held light rums might lend more clean, vegetal sweetness, while richer, molasses notes can shine through in a whisky finished in casks that held dark rum. The flavors imparted by a rum cask can enhance a whisky, from mirroring bourbon’s inherent sweetness, balancing out spice in a rye, or adding layers of flavor to a grain or single malt scotch.
The use of rum casks to finish whisky is an idea that goes way back among makers of scotch and Irish whiskey. In American whiskey, Angel’s Envy was one of the pioneers, coming out with a Caribbean rum cask-finished rye 12 years ago. Producers use rum casks in different ways: as a solo finishing cask, in combination with other casks, or as the sole...

Glenn Howerton has spent two decades playing a man who believes, with terrifying sincerity, that he is the most intelligent person in any given room. As Dennis Reynolds—the vain, predatory, oddly magnetic anchor of “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia”—he’s always wrong about himself in ways that are always someone else's problem.
Akin to Reynolds, Howerton loves good whiskey; that penchant dovetails into his belief that modern people need more opportunities to socialize, and what better backdrop than the local watering hole? In contrast, though, Howerton is thoughtful, deliberate, and focused on the long game. For evidence, consider Four Walls Irish American Whiskey, which Howerton co-founded with his Sunny co-conspirators Rob Mac and Charlie Day.

Four Walls, a wink to the show’s fictional Paddy’s Pub, is a marriage of Irish grain and malt whiskeys from Great Northern Distillery in Dundalk and American rye from Cedar Ridge...

It's a historical fact you probably didn't learn in school: in addition to leading the Revolutionary Army to victory over the British and serving as our nation's first president, George Washington was also a distiller who made rye whiskey. Ten years ago, his distillery at Mount Vernon reopened after extensive restoration, and today you can visit, see the historical distilling process in action, and get a taste of that rye whiskey.Even better, George Washington's Rye Whiskey has now been officially named the state spirit of Virginia, thanks to a bill signed on April 23rd by Governor Terry McAuliffe. He also signed a bill that allows Virginia distillers to sell their products at in-state festivals, a move that will make it easier for whiskey lovers to get their hands on locally made products. George Washington's rye, however, will be hard to find: the distillery makes it in small batches and sells it on-site only.While many people think of bourbon as the quintessential American whiskey...

In Scotland, malt whisky is always made using 100% malted barley. In the U.S. many malt whiskeys (especially those labeled “single malt”) are made with 100% malted barley as well. But they don't have to be: U.S. regulations stipulate that malt whiskey is only required to have a minimum of 51% malted barley in the mashbill.Like bourbon and rye, the maximum proofs for distillation and barrel entry for American malt whiskey are 160 and 125, respectively. Additionally, it must be stored in new, charred oak barrels. Therefore, American malt whiskeys are closer kissing cousins to bourbon and American rye than they are to scotch single malts.Taking advantage of the U.S. definition, Woodford Reserve's Kentucky straight malt whiskey is made from a mashbill of 51% malted barley, 47% corn, and 2% rye. It's a malt whiskey that is also just a touch shy of qualifying as a bourbon. As with other U.S. whiskey styles, straight indicates it has spent at least 2 years in a new, charred oak...

Many connoisseurs of scotch, bourbon, or Irish whiskey are total beginners when it comes to Canadian whisky. The northern country's long distilling tradition is often overlooked—and rarely appreciated—in favor of buzzier offerings from Kentucky or Japan. Drinkers who aren't in the know may see the entire category as consisting of only Canadian Club and Crown Royal—light, blended, “smooth” products that hold little interest in today's explosively diverse whisky world.But while Canada has often kept its best bottles to itself, the country is also stepping up its exports, sending out splendid whiskies to international shelves. Many are ryes, while others feature rye as the flavoring whisky in a blend. (Learn more about Canada's tradition of blending flavoring and base whiskies in our Instant Expert guide.) And best of all, they're very fairly priced.Canadian Whisky 101: Start Your Education With These WhiskiesCrown Royal Northern Harvest Rye—91 points, $26If the famed blend...

Party planning becomes easy when you start with a solid theme. “When there is a theme, and there's a sense of continuity among food and beverage, décor, time, and place, it just feels way more thought-out. It leads people to engage more and to have a better time,” says Juliet DeRose, senior beverage manager at Union Square Hospitality Group in New York.As yearlong whisky advocates, we certainly don't need a reason to get together with good friends to enjoy whisky. But for whisky-loving hosts looking for inspiration to gather, we're here with a list of great excuses to throw a whisky party.
JanuaryReason to celebrate: Robert Burns's Birthday (Jan. 25)You're serving: Single malt scotchPoet Robert Burns is traditionally celebrated with readings of his classic works like “Auld Lang Syne” and “Address to a Haggis” accompanied by authentic Scottish cuisine. “It's particularly important to expatriates like myself that we maintain these traditions,” says Alex Murray...

The latest issue of Whisky Advocate hit newsstands this week, and it includes over 100 new whisky reviews. Check it out and let us know what you think! We look forward to adding reviews for this week's newest whiskies to the Buying Guide soon.Glenlivet has launched a rum cask-finished single malt called Caribbean Reserve. The whisky is widely available for $35.Buffalo Trace's newest experimental whiskey—a 12 year old bourbon that was proofed down mid-maturation—is available in very limited amounts, priced at $47 for a 375 ml.New Riff is releasing a very unusual bourbon and rye line called Backsetter. Both bottled in bond whiskeys are made with backset that came from a distillation of peated malted barley. There are roughly 2,250 bottles of each style available, priced at $50.Abasolo corn whisky from Mexico is making its debut. The 100% corn whisky is priced at $40 and available in seven states.Read on for full details.Glenlivet Caribbean ReserveStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland...

Whisky lovers are a varied bunch—just take a glance at the different whisky clubs that have sprung up around the country. But whisky producers, even those with diverse employee makeup, don't necessarily reflect the same diversity at the ownership level.That doesn't mean there aren't any Black-owned whisky makers, though. They're out there, and they want to share their whisky with you! If you're looking for a Black-owned whisky distillery or company to support, check out the folks below.We plan to continuously update this list as we learn of Black-owned whisky producers. Are we missing someone? Send us an email.
California
Shadow Ridge Spirits Co.
Sean Hallman is a former Navy surface warfare officer, and currently a federal civilian employee for the department of Navy. An interest in homebrewing led Hallman to explore the world of distilling, and now he and his wife, Lisa Ireland, run Shadow Ridge Spirits Co., which is registered under Oceanside Distillers in...

Where a whiskey ages has a big impact on its flavor, with temperature, humidity, and seasonal changes all contributing to the maturation process. While it's taken for granted that barrel warehouses should be on land, that certainty doesn't hold water for Hank Ingram, the creator of O.H. Ingram River Aged straight whiskey.With a passion for rivers and a penchant for whiskey, it makes sense that Ingram, founder and proprietor of Nashville, Tennessee-based Brown Water Spirits, would come up with an unusual way of aging the spirit that harnesses the water's temperaments. “I had the idea of what would happen if we put a barrel on a barge,” he says. “My history is in the barge business, and we always refer to the river as brown water. The whiskey is brown water, the river is brown water—it kind of just came to me.”On Oct. 9, Brown Water Spirits launched its first release, O.H. Ingram River Aged straight whiskey. The blend of bourbon and rye aged for 3 years in a “floating...

Bright and buoyant, the Whiskey Sour is whiskey dressed for a summer day. The drink may have originated with 18th-century sailors combining ingredients they had at hand, but the unbeatable balance of spirit, sugar, and citrus makes this drink transcend the whims of cocktail fashion. “It's beautiful in its simplicity and it's delicious and it manages to be really fun, and it's also a really nice access point for whiskey for a lot of people,” says Dan Sabo, director of food and beverage at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
As long as you stay focused on a balance of sweet, sour, and spirit, the Whiskey Sour leaves plenty of room for interpretation or tweaking to suit your palate. “There are a thousand things you can do to add a little twist to it and that's one of the things that great classics can do,” says Neal Bodenheimer, co-owner of Cure in New Orleans. “It can handle a little bit of innovation, but the basic version is as...

Fundamentally, bread is a simple food, the amalgam of water, flour, yeast, and salt, but it is also many things to many people. For generations of diners, it is an essential addition to any table; for the carb-phobic, it is a diet destroyer; and for harried moms and dads through the ages, it is the basis of many a school lunch.It is also, for perhaps most of us, something we tend to take for granted. Until, that is, we were all quarantined in our homes last spring.If you ventured anywhere near the Internet during the first phase of the COVID-19 quarantine, you witnessed the rise of a national obsession with sourdough bread. The reason behind it, speculates Eric Boerner, a New Jersey-based baker and former culinary arts instructor, is our fascination with magic.“You can buy bread yeast at a store,” says Boerner, “But you create sourdough from the air.” Beyond a fleeting fancy for wild yeast fermentation, the main trend Boerner sees is the gradual waning of white bread...

Worn leather cowboy boots, cream-colored Stetson hats, and wide-open desert space dappled with cacti—these are visions of Texas in the mind's eye. But there's much more to the Lone Star State, including a dynamic whiskey scene. The ties to whiskey are not deep, as distilling arrived here just over 15 years ago. Yet even as a newcomer, Texas is rapidly building its whiskey credentials as distilleries become firmly rooted across the state, creating a colorful patchwork of styles and flavors.A key part of the picture in Texas is its multifaceted climate. Roughly the same size as France, it has a landscape that's nearly as varied. In Texas Hill Country west of Austin, dense forests, wildflower fields, and sparkling blue lakes see extreme temperature swings—daily averages can vary from 42°F to 95°F over the course of a year. In the southern reaches of Texas, sweltering humidity creates tropical conditions all year, thanks to proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. By the northern borders...

When assembling your bar, don't neglect non-whisky spirits if not for your own enjoyment than for that of your guests. With more barrel-aged gins, tequilas, rums, cognacs, and wines to choose from, it's never been easier to branch out and add some diversity to your home setup. We explored the many ways that bourbon barrels are giving other spirits new dimensions and recommend a few bottles to seek out.Naturally, there's plenty of new whisky to target as well, with releases this week hailing from Scotland and the U.S. The Macallan adds a New York-inspired single malt to its Distil the World collection; Ross & Squibb Distillery unveils the latest Rossville Union Barrel Proof rye, now bearing an age statement; and Catoctin Creek has a high-proof rye of its own with Roundstone Rye Cask Strength finished in hickory syrup barrels. Read on for full details.The Macallan Distil Your World New YorkStyle: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: Not statedABV: 49.5%Price: $4,500/750 ml;...

Geographically, Europe is a whisky powerhouse. This continent combines the storied pedigree of scotch and newly revived Irish whiskey with a flourishing Nordic scene, but beyond these leading areas, there lies a host of European distillers also worthy of acclaim. Mainland Europe is home to some of the finest spirits in the world, and is steeped in centuries-old distilling traditions. Many distilleries are modest family-run operations making fruit-based spirits, and they have harvested crops for distilling for generations. In this century, whisky distilling on the mainland has gathered momentum, as distillers have expanded their repertoire with pot, column, and the Charentais stills.
European whiskies are not so widely available, so you will need to keep your nose to the ground. Quantities available in the U.S. are often limited, without distribution to every state. The good news is that a small but vibrant coterie of importers with a flair for singular spirits is seeking out these...

Sherry is seemingly ever-present in the world of whisky, thanks to the influence of the sherry cask. It’s most prominently seen in scotch whisky, of course, but the influence of these casks sourced from Jerez, Spain can be found in whiskies all over the world. Indeed, a conversation about some scotch whiskies can become as much about the sherry influence as the whisky itself. But few whisky lovers ever consider the use of sherry–the wine, not the barrel–as an ingredient in their cocktails.
While fino and manzanilla sherries make excellent bases for light and bright cocktail styles, those on the other end of the sherry spectrum–amontillado, oloroso, palo cortado, and Pedro Ximénez–offer more intense, nutty flavors due to heavy oxidation. That makes them better suited to pairing with aged spirits and other rich ingredients.
“The flavors of a heavily oxidized sherry allow us to add an incredible amount of depth to a...

The single barrel selection process is a treat. Barrel hunters often take a private tour of the distillery and the warehouses, and sample from a number of barrels to decide what matches their palate. The process is wildly popular nowadays, and stock sells out every year. Some distilleries cope with demand by keeping a waiting list, while others use a lottery to determine who can participate.
At Four Roses, master distiller Brent Elliott and his team evaluate and select their prize barrels for the program, usually setting aside 40 to 80 total. After touring the Four Roses campus, barrel buyers taste the whiskey in one of the warehouses. “There’s a sense of ownership and pride when someone has control over the bourbon they’re purchasing,” Elliott says. “The program is more popular than ever. We’ve increased the barrel allocation, but demand is still greater than supply.”

For the typical whiskey lover looking to buy a single barrel...

From each issue of Whisky Advocate, the editors select whiskies they consider to be the most impressive, based on score, price, and availability. From the Fall 2023 issue, we've selected this honor roll. Four of the Editors’ Choice selections this time around are American single malts, three are scotch whiskies, and two are ryes.
95 McCarthy’s 6 year old Oloroso Cask Finished American Single Malt (2023 Limited Release), 56%, $120
Yet another 6 year old from McCarthy’s single malt from Hood River Distillers in Oregon, this one finished in oloroso sherry casks. Lots of smoke on the nose: smoked meat, barbecue, and sooty charcoal aromas reminiscent of Laphroaig. On the palate, more smoke but with some fruit notes of apple, cherry, and orange, along with bitter chocolate and charcoal embers, all wrapped in beautiful campfire smoke.
94 Santa Fe Colkegan Cask Strength Small Batch American Single Malt (BBL98), 59%, $80
This offers aromas of sweet...

The 15 Stars whiskey label was founded in the summer of 2019 by father and son entrepreneurs Rick and Ricky Johnson, who blended sourced whiskey in their own kitchen. The first expression wouldn’t be released until several years later, making its debut in April 2022. The Johnsons still follow that framework today, creating 15 Stars’s New Private Stock bourbon and First West rye batches from barrel samples in their kitchen, but these days they have extra help from Bardstown Bourbon Co. which physically blends the requested barrels and bottles each expression. 
The label was founded to pay tribute to Kentucky’s distilling history, with the name referencing Kentucky being the 15th state admitted into the Union. Its offerings have won several awards and scored well with our tasting panel, with Triple Cask taking home an impressive 93-point rating. 15 Stars is kicking off the year by introducing new batches of two fan-favorite expressions: Private Stock...

Almost seven years ago to the day, Templeton Rye broke ground on a new distillery in Templeton, Iowa. Prior to that (and in the years since, while its new distillate aged), the brand sourced whiskey from MGP. Now, the distillery is ready to release its first house whiskey, and in a surprise move, it’s not a rye, but a bourbon—marking the first-ever bourbon from Templeton. 
Fortitude Bourbon is made with a high-rye mashbill consisting of 55% corn, 40% rye, and 5% malted barley. (Though there are no hard-and-fast rules, a high-rye bourbon typically has at least 20% rye in the mashbill.) The corn is locally sourced, coming from nearby farms that are within 15 miles of the distillery. Fortitude, which comes in at 46% ABV and is non-chill filtered, is available nationwide for $40 a bottle.
Templeton Distillery sits on 20 acres of land, and while rye is certainly the brand’s bread and butter, the site has the capacity to distill all styles of American whiskey...

There’s an old joke about real estate that the best time to buy a house is 20 years ago. That crack is probably even more relevant to today’s whisky market. Most of us have heard the war stories—about bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, Port Ellen, and other now-precious whiskies that once sat on store shelves ignored for months and even years because no one was interested. But as for selection, there’s no time like the present. Over the past two decades, the whisky world has changed beyond all recognition, and that’s true of every style across the board.
In rye, the market is now comprised of countless labels, whereas 20 years ago there were only three distilleries making the stuff—Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, and Beam. While bourbon has always been prominent, the proportion of change has been the same. Craft whiskeys barely existed two decades ago, and now there are 2,753 craft distilleries across the nation accounting for nearly 8% of total spirits...

American whiskey historically was a bit like the Wild West, guided not by rules and regulations but by a lawlessness that encouraged questionable practices that occasionally resulted in deadly consequences. These included adding color, flavor, and chemicals—ranging from tobacco and turpentine to iodine and kerosene— all the while calling the product “whiskey,” though you’d be hard-pressed to recognize it as such today.
At the same time, distribution was far different than today— though distillers sold barreled whiskey directly to retailers, they also sold to rectifiers, who were both blenders and distributors. While there were a handful of good rectifiers, among them William Weller and Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, both of whom believed in the art of blending, many unscrupulous operators ultimately gave the word “rectifier” a bad name. They were responsible for the above-mentioned atrocious additives, doing it to boost yields and thus...

Scotland and Ireland have been heard from this week after a recent stream of new American whiskeys. In the west of Scotland, May is festival time for Campbeltown and Islay, which brings forth a slew of special releases, including Laphroaig Càirdeas, which we cover here.  Also from Scotland comes the very limited  Daftmill, the Lowlands farm distillery whose highly sought-after whiskies are notoriously difficult to find. From Ireland, Teeling is out with the third edition in its Wonders of Wood series—this one aged in Swedish oak—while Bushmills offers a 31 year old as the fourth edition in its Rare Cask series and The Whistler unveils a 21 year old madeira-finished single malt.
From the U.S., Barrell has a new batch, while Colorado distiller Laws has a trio of bottled in bond expressions. NBA superstar Steph Curry, who came out with his first whiskey, Gentleman's Cut, last year, last week...

The Paper Plane cocktail is rapidly moving from a deep cut, rarely ordered imbibe to a menu mainstay. And for good reason: It’s positively delicious and has infinite riffs.
When I stumbled upon the Paper Plane a few years back, I sought a refreshing cocktail that was bourbon-forward, but not so much that it overpowered the glass, and something that I could have several rounds of without burning out my palate or overdosing on cloying sweetness. It was love at first sip. A punch of bourbon, a fair amount of tartness, and just a soupçon of sweetness; heaven in a coupe.
The fun part about this equal-parts drink? Due to the endless customization options, you can keep tweaking the recipe to suit any desired flavor profile. You’ll never get tired of trying another iteration, seeing how those new additions move the overall flavor of the cocktail.
I’ve spent the last few years trying Paper Planes at every bar I visit, across seven countries and more...

Auctions have been buzzing this month, with a frenzy of summer whisky sales delivering impressive results. Yamazaki 55 year old set a new highest auction price of the year this week, with another bottle of The Macallan The Reach 81 year old recently fetching a six-figure sum (see below for further details). Not to be outdone, this weekend’s Whisky Hammer sale includes the chance to bid on both of these collectibles again. We are predicting that June’s 20-highest hammer prices will break $1 million, and it’s looking like it will be the first month of 2024 to outperform the year-earlier period, reversing a downward trend of recent months.
We reported that American whiskey is performing particularly well at auction recently, making notable gains while some scotch and Japanese whisky values have been on the slide. Competition for rare bourbon and rye has pushed prices to new heights and made American whiskeys a regular fixture in our monthly list of the 20-highest...

December rounded off the auction year with a strong month for bottles of Macallan, Hibiki 40 year old, and LeNell Red Hook Rye, each making multiple entries in this month’s list of the 20-highest hammer prices. The month’s 20 bottles sold for a combined sum of $862,186. While Macallan The Red Collection 60 year old topped the list, its value has plunged by more than $50,000 since the start of the year. The first bottle of Eagle Rare 25 year old 2024 release came up for sale at Unicorn Auctions, but fetching a hammer price of $22,100, it fell just short of making December’s 20-highest hammer price list. 
In other auction news, Just Whisky launched a new website in December, only to watch as the auction traffic crashed the server in the final hours. The auction finally concluded 24 hours later than planned. Speyside Whisky Auctions announced that they were making some changes in the company, including withdrawing the offer of storage facilities to customers...

Update 4/21/25: Gregg Snyder, former Chicken Cock master distiller, has left that post to join veteran-owned, Bardstown-based Four Branches Bourbon in an advisory role.
When the modern whiskey era and the dawn of craft distilling arrived in the early 2000s, most fledgling craft players “sourced” whiskeys— buying aged distillate from other, larger suppliers— while waiting for their juice to mature. Utah-based High West famously sourced aged rye whiskeys from MGP, using those as the cornerstone of some great whiskeys while its distillery was being built. Others, like Woodinville Whiskey in Washington, chose never to source whiskey, waiting years for its own distillate to mature. Still others, like Smooth Ambler of West Virginia, chose a middle path, blending sourced whiskey with its own make.
Then another business model came upon the American whiskey scene—the producer that’s solely a blender and bottler, with no plans to build a distillery...

Woodford Reserve this week released its annual Derby bottle ahead of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, which takes place on May 3. This year’s label was created by Cuban-American artist Humberto Lahera, who’s based in Louisville. The one-liter bottle retails at $50 and can be purchased on Reservebar, on Woodford’s online store, at the Woodford Reserve Distillery, and selected retailers nationwide.
Among other new releases, Orphan Barrel is out with a 17 year old, while Old Elk has a new flagship bourbon called Slow Cut. Penelope Rio, the amburana cask-finished bourbon, is back with its third iteration, while High West returns with the annual release of Bourye, its rye-bourbon blend. There's plenty more, with new offerings from Buzzard's Roost, Remus, and Westward, among others, including a noteworthy release from Bushmills, which has unveiled the oldest Irish single malt ever—a 46 year old with a limited global release of just 300 bottles, priced at a cool...

Since its inception, the San Francisco-based Hotaling & Co. Distillery has hung its hat on rye whiskey. Hotaling was founded in 1993 as Anchor Distilling, a small offshoot of the venerable Anchor Brewing Company. Back then, Anchor was owned by craft beer legend Fritz Maytag, who purchased the brewery when it was on the brink of failure in 1965 and spent the ensuing decades whipping it back into shape. By the early ’90s, Maytag was planning an expansion into spirits, intending to distill a product inspired by the whiskeys of the 18th century. After doing some research, he was drawn to rye whiskey—a style that had been wildly popular before Prohibition, but was on the verge of extinction.

To make that dream a reality, Maytag set up pot stills in the Anchor Brewing warehouse and left things in the hands of Bruce Joseph—one of Anchor’s most experienced brewers—who would go on to serve as master distiller for over three decades before retiring in...

It’s another plentiful week in new whisky, especially for American craft distillers. Frey Ranch is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an American whiskey made from five different grains, while Chicken Cock has upped the age on its Double Oak whiskey by two years. Filmland Spirits has similarly released an older iteration of its flagship Moonlight Mayhem! bourbon, and North Carolina’s Oaklore Distilling has made its four-grain bourbon available nationwide. In Washington, Heritage Distilling Co. has debuted another bourbon commemorating the stories and veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Forces. Outside the U.S., Crown Royal has introduced a Canadian blend finished in Caribbean rum casks, Hatozaki has a new blend of malt whiskies finished in umeshu plum liqueur casks, and Japanese whisky bar Club Qing is making its U.S. debut with two single casks from Speyside.
Chicken Cock 10 year old Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey
ABV: 46%
SRP: $80

Denver was one of the birthplaces of the craft brewing movement, which led to craft distilleries, some helmed by pioneering brewers. The city boasts some of the nation’s oldest craft distilleries, with an unusually strong focus on whiskey compared to other spirits, especially American single malt. But, from distilleries to bars with elaborate cocktails, Denver covers all the bases and is arguably the nation’s best big city for whiskey lovers. It’s also quite affordable.
Making Denver even more appealing is a reliable international airport with non-stop flights from around the country and the world. It has the best public transport connection to downtown of any U.S. airport, with direct rail service into the city’s Union Station, the heart of downtown, at just $10 for the 37-minute ride. Once there, most top bars, restaurants, hotels, and distilleries are nearby—some walkable, and none more than a short rideshare away. For sports fans looking to double...

In each issue of Whisky Advocate, our Buying Guide includes stand-out expressions selected by our editors based on scores, availability, and price. For the Fall issue, the tasting panel selected a variety of expressions, including bourbon, scotch, rye, Japanese blended malt, and American single malt. Most of them hover around $75, with the highest-ticket whiskies sitting at $150.  
94 Points - Booker's “Barry's Batch” 7 year old (Batch 2025-01) bourbon, 62.85%, $100 
The palate starts sweet, with frosting, maple syrup, and dark chocolate. Rounding out the sip are walnuts, caramel candies, and a touch of overripe bananas. This has real depth and, despite the proof, ample finesse.
94 Points - Glendronach Ode to the Embers Sherry & Smoke single malt scotch, 48.4%, $91 
 The palate dials back the peat and lets the cask influence shine: Ripe berries, apples, and heather honey blend into a slightly...

This week we have a new straight rye from Ezra Brooks, a new batch of The Exclusive Malts' single cask bottlings, a very limited 16 year old bourbon, and a whopper of a 50 year old Dalmore.Ezra Brooks Straight RyeStyle: Straight rye whiskeyProof: 45% ABVPrice: $19-$22Release: January 2017Availability: Widely availableNeed to know:The Ezra Brooks range currently includes a straight bourbon, a 7 year old bourbon, a blended whiskey, and a bourbon cream liqueur, all priced for everyday drinking.Whisky Advocate says:Brand owner Luxco—which also produces the David Nicholson, Rebel Yell, and Blood Oath whiskey brands—is building a new distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Lux Row Distillers will make all of those bourbons when it opens in 2018.The Exclusive Malts Glen Moray 2007 9 year oldStyle: Single malt Scotch whiskyProof: 55.7% ABVPrice: $85Release: January 2017Availability: 220 bottles for the U.S.The Exclusive Malts Caol Ila 2006 10 year oldStyle: Single malt Scotch whiskyProof...

Need an eye-opener? Try this mix of Basil Hayden's rye and cold brew coffee, rounded out with a touch of absinthe and some chocolate bitters. This recipe was created on behalf of Basil Hayden's by Frank Liotti of Freemans in New York City.
INGREDIENTS

Absinthe
2 oz. Basil Hayden’s rye
½ oz. cold brew coffee
½ oz. simple syrup
2 dashes chocolate bitters
Garnish: ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS
Fill a rocks glass with ice and rinse with absinthe, then discard. Combine rye, coffee, simple syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass with ice and stir until cold. Strain into the rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with grated...

If a barrel finish seems unorthodox or even impossible—but might turn into great whiskey—WhistlePig master blender Pete Lynch wants to make it work, and often does, showcasing the most exciting successes through the distillery's Boss Hog series. Joining Whisky Advocate's #TasteWithSpace Instagram Live series on Oct. 23, Lynch unleashed a torrent of information on the deliberation, methodology, and exploration that goes into each release. “Boss Hog is the idea of the pinnacle of innovation—how do we push rye whiskey to its furthest limits in a way that people are going to enjoy and accept it?” Lynch said. With each release, WhistlePig is looking to “take not just our oldest, or our highest proof, or our weirdest, but our best rye whiskey that can give us the most definitive idea of that push toward redefining what rye whiskey means,” Lynch added. “And year after year it's going to mean something quite different.”This year's release, Boss Hog VII: Magellan's Atlantic...

Some cocktail ingredients just scream “fall”—like spicy rye whiskey, warm ginger, and sweet citrus. The Main Character, created by Amy Walsh, mixologist at The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania, incorporates all of these into a complex, refreshing sip that takes the chill off.
Like most delicious cocktails, this drink came about by letting the ingredients lead the way. “Blood orange is one of my favorite purees, so I knew I wanted that citrus in this cocktail. The flavors of Dad's Hat rye are the perfect complement to that, with notes of cinnamon spice, vanilla, green apple, and fig. It is robust, herbaceous, and has a mild barrel character,” Walsh says. “For a little added dimension, I added a mild floral flavor from the elderflower liqueur and then a little extra spice with ginger beer.”
As for the name, this bold, memorable cocktail will steal the spotlight—just like the main character in a book or show.
The Main...

It was the Friday before spring break. School was nearly out and the suburban soccer moms bustled into my neighborhood liquor store, filling their baskets with everything from chardonnay to schnapps. They cluttered the walkways, keeping me from my precious aisle, when one of them grabbed a bourbon from the bottom shelf and said out loud, “I don't know what that means.” A liquor store worker heard her whiskey distress signal and replied, “Oh, it's not small batch.” He then upsold her on a bottle three times as expensive as the $15 Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 6 year old she'd inquired about.I assumed she was referencing the term “bottled in bond” with her question. Outside of whiskey geeks, does anybody really know what this means; that it is a piece of historic government legislation? Today your average liquor store's American whiskey section is filled with labels containing unregulated terms such as small batch, single barrel, and handcrafted. The tiny words “bottled in...

There's nothing new about vermouth in cocktails. You may even have a bottle or two yourself at home to mix up Manhattans, the whisky-vermouth pairing that people are most familiar with. But vermouth can be used far beyond that perennial classic. For example, if you're looking for a lower-proof drink, a vermouth-based whisky cocktail can satisfy your craving while keeping your alcohol consumption in check. To that end, some bartenders are experimenting with “reverse” cocktails, which switch the ratio of whisky to vermouth. For example, a reverse Manhattan would be 2 parts vermouth and 1 part whisky.But vermouth and whisky match in many more ways than you might imagine. “Vermouth has a really broad array of applications. It is so versatile that it can be the star of a cocktail instead of sitting in the back seat,” explains Alan Lam, beverage director of New York City's Eataly Flatiron. “The point in any cocktail is to make sure it is not overpowering or has a flavor that is...

This week is all about the limited-edition whisky. Balvenie is rolling out its fourth batch of Tun 1509, an annual release that blends various casks in a marrying vat. The NAS single malt is pricy, but scores well—91 points each for Batch 1 and Batch 3.Michter's is offering a 25 year old bourbon for the first time in nine years. Michter's didn't make any of the whiskey: its Shively distillery has only been open since 2012, though the company was making whiskey at other distilleries for several years before then. But Michter's president Joseph Magliocco says this bourbon's flavor profile matches what the company hopes to achieve with the whiskey it's distilling itself.A Midwinter Night's Dram from High West is back for the fifth year. The blended rye, finished in French oak port barrels, is a perennial favorite and delivers on its name, warming up many a cold winter evening. For anyone wondering whether the series will continue after Act 5, don't fret: the show will definitely go...

There are plenty of new whiskies to look for this week—although not all will be accessible to the average drinker. After announcing it last fall, Jack Daniel's has released Reunion Barrel, part of its Tennessee Tasters selection. The red wine barrel-finished whiskey is $40 for a 375-ml. bottle and for sale mainly at the distillery.Mortlach is the latest scotch brand to unveil a super-aged edition, this one 47 years old and available only online via ballot. The cost is £10,000, and if you want a chance to snag one of the 94 bottles, you can register on the Justerini & Brooks website.The first Booker's bourbon release of 2019 is upon us: Booker's 2019-01 "Teresa's Batch" is hitting shelves now. As always, it's at barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered, and will go for a recommended price of $80.Another barrel-proof whiskey is rolling out as well: Michter's US*1 Barrel Strength rye. Available in limited amounts, the whiskey has a suggested price of $75.Blood Oath Pact No. 5 will...

For true connoisseurs, there's nothing better than unadulterated whisky. That means straight from the barrel, with minimal filtration, and certainly not proofed down by water. Admittedly, some whiskies are simply not polished and refined enough to be handled this way, tasting too “hot” when served in the 50% ABV and above range. (And some whiskies are deliberately bottled at minimal proof, a choice their makers vigorously defend.) But others truly soar straight from the cask, retaining a pleasing, oily mouthfeel, a potent aroma, and a heightened flavor profile.Learn the Basics of Barrel ProofBourbon and rye both excel at more potent proof levels, and there are numerous examples to be found on store shelves, including private-barrel picks. (You won't see some of the most coveted American barrel-proof releases, such as George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller, on this list due to their limited availability.) Cask-strength single malt and Irish whiskey releases are in shorter supply...

Folks in Indiana are famous for their Midwestern friendliness—“Hoosier Hospitality”—but they also view themselves as tenacious underdogs, an aesthetic noted in just about every Hollywood depiction of the state, from "Hoosiers" to "Breaking Away" to "Rudy." Locals have taken the same approach to craft distilling—until 2014 it was illegal to operate on-site tasting and retail, the way many small distillers in other states make sales. This made Indiana an unfriendly place for indie spirits, but pioneers plunged ahead, while working to change the laws.“In 2014 the state said that if you had a license to distill spirits for three years you could open a tasting room,” recalls Blake Jones, co-owner and president of West Fork Whiskey Co. “That was still tough, but it sort of made distillery tasting rooms in Indiana a thing, and since then we've been able to get it reduced to eighteen months.” For this reason, the Indianapolis distillery boom is a very recent thing, and...

Another million-dollar Macallan has just sold at auction, but if your wallet can't handle seven figures, never fear—there's plenty of new, much more affordable whisky rolling out.Evan Williams is releasing a special 2012 vintage of its single-barrel bourbon in honor of the Kentucky Derby Festival. Evan Williams Single Barrel 2012 Vintage is 56.5% ABV and $75, and includes a 2020 Gold Pegasus pin—good for admission to many Derby events—sealed in the wax on the neck. Just 600 bottles are for sale at the Evan Williams Experience in Louisville, Kentucky.Four Gate Whiskey Co. is releasing another batch of Foundation, its 9 year, 9 month old Kentucky straight bourbon. Just 590 bottles are available, all at 60.1% ABV and $200. Details on the original release can be found here.Ardbeg has unveiled its 2020 limited-edition Committee Bottling, Ardbeg Blaaack. The pinot noir cask-finished whisky will be available in the U.S. in June, priced at $140.Luxco, parent company of Lux Row...

It's been another week of ever-increasing changes due to the spread of COVID-19. Dozens of distilleries stepped up to produce hand sanitizer instead of whiskey, scrambling to get all the necessary supplies. Others have begun hosting virtual tours, giving fans entry even when visitor centers are closed. Legendary Washington, D.C. whisky bar Jack Rose is selling off its entire collection to pay its staff, and I hear other venues are following suit.Even in this week of immense upheaval, new releases march on. First up, Ardbeg is debuting a new, permanent addition to its range. Ardbeg 5 year old Wee Beastie is priced at $47 and widely available.The 2020 release of Blood Oath bourbon is rolling out. There are 51,000 bottles of Blood Oath Pact No. 6 available, priced at $100.Finally, Old Elk is launching three new whiskeys, all part of its core range, as detailed earlier this week: straight rye ($90), straight wheat whiskey ($65), and a straight wheated bourbon ($65). All three whiskeys are...

I'm going to let you in on a secret: Some of the most affordable, quality whisky lies just north of us in Canada. And while many hardcore bourbon and scotch drinkers might kneejerk-assume that all Canadian whisky is for “beginners”—owing to its often light, smooth character—in fact, the country has always produced flavorful, full-bodied whiskies that would appeal to even the most demanding palate. The only problem was that they were mostly being used in blends.That's not the case anymore as Canadian distilleries have wisely started releasing some of these so-called flavoring whiskies on their own: high-proof, high-flavor products that will appeal to more mature drinkers. Canada has likewise begun exploring single barrels and cask finishing, creating additional avenues for experimentation. Open your mind and taste what Canadian whisky can be.Canadian Whisky 201: Intermediate-Level Bottles You Must TasteCaribou Crossing Single Barrel—93 points, $50 The moose-topped cork on the...

For likely as long as whisky has existed, people have enjoyed it to the accompaniment of great music. Whisky has inspired its fair share of songs too, with numerous artists weaving it into their work. Now some musicians are taking it even further, integrating their art straight into the bottle. Blackened might be the most well-known of the moment, aged to the thump of Metallica's oeuvre, but many other whiskies now boast a musician's endorsement—and in some cases, their heavy involvement.Matching Flavor Profile to Musical StyleThe experience of enjoying whisky and music together inspired DJ and producer TommyD to create his own brand, a single grain whisky called 8O8. “Alcohol and music have gone hand-in-hand for centuries—there's nothing new about this,” he says. “So it's not an unreasonable connection to make. Music is intrinsically part of the 8O8 whisky DNA.” Inspired by the TR-808 drum machine commonly used in electronic dance music, 8O8 whisky caters to the dance...

The biggest whiskey news of the week was the launch of Sweetens Cove, a new bourbon backed by NFL star Peyton Manning and tennis great Andy Roddick, among others. We spoke to both Manning and Roddick, as well as master blender Marianne Eaves, about the whiskey and its links (pun completely intended) to the beloved golf course of the same name. Check out the in-depth article, and then keep reading for the hard stats and some analysis below.The latest Port Ellen single malt from Diageo is coming out now, priced at a cool £6,500 (about $8,000). It's 40 years old, a vatting of nine "rogue" casks. There are 1,380 bottles available, though none are being sold in the U.S.Kentucky-based blender Barrell announced its Private Select whiskey series, a collection of unique "micro-blends" that are each finished in a different barrel type. Each offering is limited to 150-180 bottles, priced at $109. Barrell is also set to release Batch 024 of its bourbon, priced at $90 and available in limited...

For fans of American whiskey, the words “barrel proof” often bring to mind big, brawny bourbons—uncut, unfiltered, and packed with flavor. But high-proof rye offers a similarly amped up version of the bold, spicy spirit that was famous before bourbon and reigned supreme until Prohibition shut down America's whiskey industry. Whisky Advocate's Fall 2020 Buying Guide offers reviews of more than 150 whiskies, including a trio of high-proof—and high-quality—ryes. Each of these whiskeys offers a distinct set of aromas and flavors that speak to different distilling traditions and techniques, as well as different mashbills and barrel-entry proofs, all of which affect the final whiskey. What they have in common are high scores, similar proofs, and an abundance of flavor.Whisky Advocate's Fall issue turns the spotlight on Big Whisky, and these ryes fit the bill—with their potent proofs and robust flavors, they're the kind of whiskey that leaps out of your glass in a delicious way...

Whiskey and coffee is a winning combination—whether you simply splash some whiskey into your cup of joe as an after-dinner treat, or prefer to mix the perfect Irish Coffee, with Irish whiskey, coffee, sugar, and fresh whipped cream. But rather than adding a little whiskey to coffee, these enterprising distillers are adding a little coffee to their whiskey.Unlike coffee liqueurs, which almost always include a generous dose of sugar, these new whiskey creations strive for a purer expression of grain and bean, marrying high-quality coffee with credible whiskeys.In January of 2020, Irish whiskey giant Jameson released Jameson Cold Brew, combining Irish whiskey with cold brew coffee flavoring. By definition, Irish whiskey can't include additives aside from caramel coloring and water, but this “whiskey specialty," according to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will still find fans among Irish whiskey drinkers. The cold brew flavor, created from 100% Arabica beans from...

It's been a big year for athlete-backed whiskies. Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning teamed up with tennis pro Andy Roddick and others to launch Sweeten's Cove in May, while Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw unveiled an eponymous bourbon a few months prior. These sporty spirits were preceded however by a line of bourbon and rye whiskies helmed by Hall of Fame goaltender Ed Belfour, first released in December 2019. Belfour joined Whisky Advocate's Instagram Live series #TasteWithSpace on Dec. 18 to discuss Belfour Spirits, the whiskey business, and his starry career.“My introduction to whiskey was rye,” said Belfour, who originally hails from Canada and moved to the United States in 1986 to play for the University of North Dakota. “We didn't know what bourbon whiskey was back then.” Belfour added that in his early days as a whiskey drinker, he gravitated toward Canadian Club, and always enjoyed rye. As a 21 year old new to the United States, Belfour went to a bar and...

With the calendar turning a new page, there are plenty of new whiskies too.First up, Buffalo Trace has bottled a single barrel of Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. bourbon in honor of the 124th anniversary of the Bottled in Bond Act and benefiting the nonprofit Outlaw State of Kind, which was founded by musician Chris Stapleton. There are less than 100 bottles available, with the first ones auctioned through Charitybuzz.A new blended Irish whiskey is hitting shores in not just bottles, but cans too. Two Stacks comes in 4-packs of 100 ml cans for $19, as well as a traditional 750 ml bottle ($40). There's also a cask-strength version called Blender's Cut for $60.Old Elk is debuting Sour Mash Reserve straight bourbon. Priced at $90, there are just over 5,000 bottles available in the first batch.Sagamore Spirit is rolling out its latest Distiller's Select rye, finished in tequila casks. The limited-edition whiskey is $69.Proof and Wood has partnered with bar owner Rob Morton to release Idle Hands...

In“What's It Worth?”our resident auction expert examines the collectibility of a distillery, brand, or series. Here he examines the fortunes of Parker's Heritage Collection.Among the hotly anticipated limited-edition whiskeys released every fall is Parker's Heritage Collection from Heaven Hill Distillery. The series, which spans multiple styles, was launched in 2007 by master distiller Parker Beam, who passed away from ALS in 2017 at the age of 75. Many of these offerings feature among Whisky Advocate's highest-ever scores for American whiskeys. With over 14 releases to date,* the Parker's Heritage Collection has explored everything from well-aged bourbon, rye, malt, and wheat whiskeys, to single-cask releases, innovative cask finishes, and the flavor impact of heavily charred barrels.Given the diversity of age statements and whiskey styles the series encompasses, it's unsurprising that auction values do not run chronologically. While prospective buyers will find recent releases...

Bottled in bond whiskey has risen in prominence in recent years, more than a century after passage of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. At the time, it was difficult to ensure that what was being sold as whiskey wasn’t tampered with or adulterated, and so the government intervened, requiring any whiskey labeled as bottled in bond, or bonded, to be bottled at 50% ABV/100 proof, aged for a minimum of 4 years, and made at one distillery, in one distilling season (January to June, known as Spring, or July to December, known as Fall). 
Today bottled in bond continues to be seen as an indicator of quality, with many brands embracing the specifications. Our 2022 Whisky of the Year, Jack Daniel’s Bonded, is one such whiskey, delivering tremendous flavor and value at just $30. The Top 20 list has featured other bottled in bond whiskeys in previous years as well, including Old Fitzgerald 11 year old Bottled in Bond bourbon, Old Overholt Bottled in Bond Rye, Heaven Hill...

This week delivered news of two major distillery builds in the U.S. In Georgetown, Kentucky, Blue Run Spirits will soon break ground on a strikingly modern new headquarters that will include a 35,000-square-foot distillery and a 20,000-square-foot rickhouse, all expected to be up and running by 2025. Over in Ohio, craft distiller Middle West has unveiled plans for a 75,000-square-foot distillery, slated to be the centerpiece of its newly developed 14-acre home that will open this summer in Columbus. While Middle West makes vodka and gin along with its whiskey labels, its new distillery will be exclusively whiskey-focused. 
This week brings a varied array of new whiskies. From Scotland, Glenfiddich has introduced a single malt in celebration of Japan's cherry blossom festival—a 29 year old whisky finished in casks previously used for the Japanese spirit awamori—while Loch Lomond is releasing two new whiskies to...

The whisky auction scene shows no signs of relaxing as the end of the year approaches. Sotheby’s conducted a substantial sale of scotch, bourbon, rye, and Japanese whisky in New York this month, with details below on several historic and rare bottlings of Kentucky bourbon and rye that sold for $20,000 and more. Sotheby's reported that this sale received the highest-ever number of bidders in a Sotheby's spirits sale, and set new record prices for Glenturret, LeNell's Red Hook Rye, and Rathskeller Rye from 1983. Scotch Whisky Auctions celebrated their 150th auction this month, with a bottle of Glendronach 1971 50 year old leading the sale with a hammer price of $22,588. With a number of online auctions slated for late December, whisky collectors can keep bidding until the ball drops at midnight and beyond in a bid to bag their first whisky bottles of 2024. 
Whisky Auctioneer
Auction ended December 4th  


Scotch: Samaroli Laphroaig...

No matter where you are in the world, chances are you know the name Beyoncé. The chart-topping singer-songwriter has stayed at the forefront of pop culture for decades, transcending the boundaries of musical genres and becoming one of the most-awarded female artists of all time in the process. Her mammoth music catalog aside, she’s also a shrewd businesswoman, with hands in many different jars, including fashion (Ivy Park), fragrance (Cé Noir), and haircare (Cécred). Now, you can add whiskey to that list, with the debut of her new label SirDavis.
Beyonce’s love of whisky (especially Japanese) is no secret, and she frequently slips mentions of it into her lyrics. Her most recent album, country-Americana hybrid “Cowboy Carter,” features the word “whisky” on multiple tracks, and on earlier albums, songs like “6 Inch” and “LOVEHAPPY” namedrop Yamazaki, a known Bey favorite. When she was moved to...

This year's release of Parker's Heritage is out, and as we've seen so often with this series, it's yet another interesting one—a 14 year old malt whiskey. A Parker's malt whiskey expression hasn't been seen in nearly a decade, as the last such release was in 2015. In general, malt whiskey expressions are unusual in Kentucky, although Woodford Reserve has a well-known malt expression. Elsewhere, Kentucky Peerless continues its finishing work with a new cognac barrel-finished bourbon—this one a limited, Kentucky-only release. New Riff returns with this year's edition of its Sour Mash single malt, which offers some new twists, while Pursuit United has a new Double Oaked Rye to join its Double-Oaked Bourbon expression.
 
 
Parker’s Heritage Collection 14 year old Malt Whiskey (2024 Release)
ABV: 53.5%
SRP: $170
Availability: Limited
The 18th release of Heaven Hill’s Parker’s Heritage Collection...

We all know the adage about making lemonade when life hands you lemons, but what about when life instead delivers a load of Vienna malt? If you’re the distillers at Portland, Oregon’s Westward Whiskey, who by accident received the lightly toasted variety of malted barley typically used by brewers in place of their usual order, you make a new style of whiskey.
Distilled in 2019 and released as an exclusive to Westward’s Whiskey Club earlier this year, to say that Vienna Malt Single Barrel is unusual is a bit of an understatement since distillers almost universally favor the use of the pale, enzymatically rich cereal known as distiller’s malt over any other type of malt, including Vienna. It is not, however, unprecedented.
Glenmorangie Distillery’s director of whisky creation Dr. Bill Lumsden was inspired to formulate a scotch single malt based on his love of coffee. To do so, he turned to a roasted malt. Figuring that roasted malt might bring to...

Bidders took their pick of the rarities in the early days of 2025. Whisky Auctioneer delivered the highest prices of the month so far, with a bottle of Macallan The Reach 81 year old leading the field. Not far behind, a bottle of Port Ellen 12 year old created for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Port Ellen Maltings on August 9th 1980 sold for $80,796. If the bottle shape looks familiar, it’s because this expression was bottled in the same design that was used for Oban in the early 1980s. The sale also saw a late bid secure a bottle of Glenfiddich 1937 64 year old for $43,843, one of the 61 bottles of this rare Glenfiddich released in 2001.
Single malt scotch is attracting the month’s highest prices so far. Bowmore topped Whisky Hammer’s auction with sales of the first bottle of Bowmore ARC-52 to sell in over a year, along with a bottle of Black Bowmore 1964 50 year old The Last Cask, which fetched $37,258. In addition, a bottle of Brora 1972 40 year old was...

The aged whiskies just keep on coming: Colorado-based Stranahan’s is celebrating American single malt’s official classification with the release of a 12 year old, while Penelope is offering a 17 year old American light whiskey, and single malt scotch Aberfeldy has a 26 and a 39 year old—all of them being limited editions, of course. Meanwhile, Kentucky newcomer Garrard County Distilling Co., which filled its first barrel in January of 2024 at a new distillery in Lancaster, about 35 miles south of Lexington, is relaunching its All Nations brand using sourced liquid. Among other releases, Elijah Craig is out with its first barrel proof batch of the year, while Redwood Empire has a higher-proof version of its Pipe Dream expression. From across the pond, Irish single malt Dingle has the second release in its Celtic Wheel of the Year series
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch A125)
ABV: 59.1%
SRP: $75
Availability: Nationwide
Each January...

This week's new releases see several whisky makers take familiar concepts and flip them on their heads. First up is Woodford, which has reinvented its Chocolate Malt Whisper bourbon into a whiskey that, at 69.7% ABV, is the highest-proof expression it has ever released. Elsewhere in Kentucky, Peerless has taken two whiskeys it’s executed well in the past—rye and toasted barrel—and combined them for its first toasted barrel-finished rye. Frey Ranch is also bringing something fresh to the table with the introduction of a whiskey made entirely from unmalted barley. Overseas, Bushmills has had its hands full with cask finishes, while Macallan has debuted the 8th release in its nostalgia-evoking Archival Series. 
Woodford Reserve Chocolate Whisper Redux 139.4 Bourbon
ABV: 69.7%
SRP: $100/375 ml
Availability: Limited; woodfordreserve.com, distillery tasting room, and KY
To understand this new Woodford whiskey, we must first look back to 2021...

Despite having a sizable arsenal of well-aged inventory, ultra-aged releases from Redemption Whiskey are few and far between. Back in November 2017, Redemption released a pair of ultra-aged expressions in its Ancients series. The first one was an 18 year old rye, distilled in 1998 at Ross & Squibb Distillery (then called Jos. E. Seagram Lawrenceburg Plant). At the time, the 18 year old was touted as Redemption’s oldest whiskey ever released—but it wouldn’t stay that way for long. Just a few weeks later, Redemption rolled out a 36 year old bourbon that was limited to 18 bottles and carried a $1,200 price tag.
Those expressions were well received, and aged Redemption expressions were getting attention from whiskey lovers. In 2023, a bottle of 36 year old Redemption rye appeared in a Sotheby’s American whiskey auction, and wound up selling for $18,000. But by then Redemption had discontinued the Ancients series, and turned its focus on younger and more...

June’s 20-highest single bottle hammer prices had a combined value of $889,738, and the month belonged to Bonhams Skinner. The Massachusetts-based auction house delivered not only the highest auction price of the year with Yamazaki 55 year old, but also served up a live auction that landed nine bottles of Macallan in this month’s 20-highest hammer prices. It was Yamazaki’s first bottle to make this year’s list, and it continues to trade for more than triple its original retail price. The Macallans were all Lalique decanter bottlings from the Six Pillars collection, which range in age from 50 to 65 years, plus the 72 year old Genesis decanter. The Six Pillars collection debuted in 2005 and remains highly collectible. Bonhams Skinner’s The Encyclopedic Whisky Collection, the largest single owner collection of spirits ever offered at Bonhams in the U.S., had a full set on sale, and even some duplicates. Macallan remains the number one brand in our 20-highest...

Hochstadter's Slow & Low Rock and Rye is traveling the country this summer in a rolling cocktail lounge. The “Whiskey Delivery Van” is a 1978 Chevy G20 that's been customized on the inside with a walnut bar, leather bench seating, orange tufted paneling, and a sound system. The interior also features artwork from Oil&Ink, an exhibition that celebrates motorcycle culture. Leading the nationwide road trip is photographer Asher Moss, who will be chronicling the journey via @drinkslowandlow and displaying his own photographs at pop-up galleries along the way.The tour kicked off in late Aprilat the Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, Texas. The van will be roaming the country and appearing at events like the Bacon and Beer Classic in Denver; the Official Drink of Austin; Taste of the Nation in Boston; Jersey City Eats; and Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. It's also hosting its own pop-up events that feature Oil&Ink prints, photographs, and paintings, and accompanying...

Being a Michter’s fan is certainly rewarding, as its consistently high ratings have shown over the years. But fandom is not without its frustrations, because so many Michter’s whiskeys are limited expressions that get snapped up quickly and can be off the shelves for years at a time. For the very popular Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye, the last release was in early 2022, and now it returns after a two-year hiatus.
Priced at $110, this is a single barrel product, an area where Michter’s has excelled. The nature of single barrel expressions means that the ABV varies by barrel,  but here it generally hovers at around 55.1%, slightly lower than the 55.8% in the 2022 release. Like other Michter’s whiskeys, the distillate entered the barrel at 103 proof, far lower than the permissible 125 proof. Michter’s has long been a proponent of lower entry proof, with founder Joseph Magliocco arguing that it creates a smoother, more complex...

Farm distillers, the Souza family, have worked their Central Valley, California farm since 1917 and began distilling in 2007. Lime and other citrus notes up front on the nose, along with rustic rye grains, Grape Nuts, orange, licorice, and anise. A rounded palate, sweet but balanced, dark berries, undernotes of savory rye spice, espresso, and cocoa powder. Well textured with chocolaty depth. The finish is long and flavorful, with rich, compact flavors. (Release date 02/22

Calling this release a tribute to Kentucky bourbon and Maryland rye, Sagamore’s 6 year old bourbon is made from a mash of 60% corn, 25% rye, and 15% malted rye. On the nose, it’s densely sweet and spicy, with molasses, brown sugar, caramel syrup, and nutmeg. The palate is well spiced with savory herbs, black licorice, and a pronounced pepperiness. The finish is long and balanced, with vanilla and caramel offset by pepper and char

College graduation season is upon us, and soon gaggles of 22 year olds will pour forth from halls of higher learning eager to test out their newly minted degrees. They've completed their formal schooling—but their whisky education is just getting started.As a more experienced drinker, perhaps you'd like to impart some extracurricular knowledge on them to ensure they get off on the right foot. You may even think of yourself as a mentor or—dare we say it—spirit guide.What whisky fundamentals do you focus on? For one, there's education: Whisky 101 can help there. But you also want to make sure they're drinking the right stuff. There are probably several whiskies you wish you'd known about early in your drinking days. We've thought of a few too.Remember, this is about starting from level one—great representations of the different styles of whisky a new drinker will encounter, focusing on bottles that are easy for most folks to find. It is by no means a comprehensive list, and you...

Even when a whisky is already fully mature and perfectly delicious, some distillers decide to give it extra time in a different barrel. The practice is called finishing, also sometimes known as secondary maturation. While it's commonly done today in Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and elsewhere, it first began in 1983 when Balvenie master distiller David Stewart put some fully-aged whisky into sherry butts for around a year. The result was Balvenie Classic, now known as DoubleWood. Starting in the 1998 at Glenmorangie, Dr. Bill Lumsden used his love of wine to become one of the biggest innovators in finishing: He's gone so far as to re-toast barrels with Douro Valley table wine still in them in order to caramelize the sugars.Today, whiskies on both sides of the pond are being finished in everything from sherry butts and port casks to sauternes hogsheads and rum barrels, even with gold bars. The phenomenon has inspired DIY-minded whisky lovers to try their hand at it. Some are taking...

There is a lot of new whisky this week, but the biggest release has been out for a while. Lagavulin 8 year old first debuted in 2016 as a special edition whisky celebrating the distillery's 200th anniversary. It has now officially been added to the Lagavulin range permanently, joining the 16 year old and Distiller's Edition.While more bourbon will soon be made in Bardstown at Kentucky Owl Park, this week's new bourbons all come from outside the state. Virginia's A. Smith Bowman is releasing a $40 port-finished bourbon as part of its permanent lineup. Isaac Bowman Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks is available in Virginia only right now, but will expand to other states in the near future. And FEW Spirits in Illinois has three new whiskeys with unusual finishes as well: FEW Bourbon and Rye finished in Copper & Kings brandy barrels, and FEW Bourbon finished in Sicilian wine casks. There are limited amounts of each whiskey, available mostly in Illinois and, for the wine cask...

The classic match-up for cookies may be a cool glass of milk—but who wants milk when you can have whisky? Just as there's a different style of whisky to suit every person's taste, various cookies also have a perfect flavor match.“Whisky and cookies are an ideal pairing,” says Morgan Kirchner, whiskey advisor for Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. “Cookies, like whisky, are a marriage of simple ingredients that come together to make an incredibly delicious snack. Aside from the fact that they share multiple aromatic and flavor profiles, cookies are comforting and homey, as is a lot of whisky. Few things sound as appealing as a fresh-baked cookie and a delicious dram.”Or perhaps you'd prefer a whisky cocktail with your cookies. Gamlin Whiskey House in St. Louis, Missouri recent partnered with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri for a fundraiser event. The bar developed a special whiskey cocktail—Buffalo Trace Single Barrel bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice...

For most whisky lovers, a dram is a year-round beverage. But the influence of weather can change the way you enjoy your whisky. While you might prefer it neat during cooler months, the heat of summer sends some of us straight to the icebox. Don't be shy: drinking it on the rocks is a time-honored, and delicious, way to enjoy whisky.When temperatures rise, nothing refreshes like a tumbler of quaffable whisky over some cubes. In addition to cooling the liquid, ice also alleviates some of the harsher notes on lower-end products, meaning you don't have to drink your most expensive stuff. Whether tanning poolside, working on your golf game, or relaxing after a day of yard work, here are six excellent whiskies worthy of your rocks glass.Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye—90 points, $39Different from the prototypical ryes most Americans have come to expect, this classic rye from Dad's Hat attempts to revive the almost-lost Old Monongahela style. The mashbill is corn-free, strictly comprised of...

Suddenly, it's perfectly acceptable to start your day with the taste of whiskey. Craft whiskey distillers and small coffee roasters, often dubbed the third-wave of coffee, are joining forces to bring the flavor of whiskey to your morning joe. Vermont's WhistlePig Distillery ages green, unroasted coffee beans in their used rye barrels, then returns them to Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Co. for roasting. “We don't sell flavored coffee, but this was really good,” says founder Mané Alves. “I found the flavor to be exceptional, the closest thing to a truly natural flavor.”Big players are also getting into the act. Starbucks aged green Sulawesi coffee beans in regularly hand-rotated used American whiskey barrels from Woodinville Whiskey Co., a Washington craft distiller. After a few weeks in barrel and a good roast, the coffee was available at Starbucks Roastery in Seattle. And Jack Daniel and Jim Beam both recently debuted coffees influenced by the flavor of their whiskeys...

It's been another big week for whisky lovers. Westward Whiskey announced a partnership with Diageo's Distill Ventures unit, a move that allows the American single malt brand to expand its production and availability.Diageo also unveiled full details of its 2018 Special Releases, including pricing. While some information was previously available, the company announced that its tenth Special Release whisky this year is a blended malt called Cladach. Not every whisky will be available in the U.S. We got all the details.Meanwhile, there are many other new whiskies coming out now and in the next few weeks. The third 2018 batch of Booker's is hitting shelves. Called "Kentucky Chew," it was aged 6 years, 4 months, and 12 days and clocks in at 63.35% ABV. It has the usual price tag of $70-$75.Bowmore has unveiled the third and final whisky in its Vintner's Trilogy, a 27 year old that matured first in ex-bourbon barrels and then in port pipes. The second maturation actually exceeded the first...

New distillery visitors centers are springing up all over: Last week it was Woodford Reserve, and this week, Bulleit opened the doors to a new experience at its Shelbyville distillery. Plus, Lagg Distillery on Scotland's Isle of Arran is also now welcoming visitors and churning out heavily peated spirit. In a few years, it will be mature enough to call whisky.There's plenty of already-mature whisky now though. Maker's Mark has expanded availability of its 101 expression. Previously for sale at travel retail only, Maker's 101 is now available at the distillery and select Kentucky retailers, priced at $50 for a 1-liter bottle.Glenlivet has unveiled its latest mystery malt; called Enigma, the whisky's details are deliberately being withheld so that drinkers can make up their own minds about the flavor. Available in the U.S. only, Enigma costs $149.Meanwhile, there's a lot going on in bourbon country. Heaven Hill is launching a 7 year old bottled in bond bourbon this fall. While the...

New whiskies continue to roll out this week, and fans of peaty scotch, complex Irish whiskey, and unique American craft have plenty to anticipate.Laphroaig has launched a 16 year old whisky in the U.S. Part of the permanent lineup, it's priced at $90 and available nationwide in limited amounts.Redbreast is releasing four batches of a limited-edition Small Batch. Just over 1,000 bottles of the single pot still whiskeys are available in California and Massachusetts, priced at $100.Scotland's Daftmill Distillery is debuting in the U.S. with its 12 year old single malt, distilled in the summer of 2006. There are 1,260 bottles available, priced at $250.Cask & Crew is rolling out a limited-edition Double Oaked straight rye. The whisky is priced at around $50, with 6,000 bottles available.Finally, Wigle Distillery is releasing Northern Exposure, a single malt aged partly in maple syrup barrels. Just 800 bottles are available, priced at $75.Read on for full details.Laphroaig 16 year...

A simple three-ingredient drink that succumbed to the scourge of blended Canadian whisky, the Old Pal has recently regained some traction as an American rye cocktail, returning with a bolder profile. Essentially a variation of a Negroni—itself a classic gin cocktail with Campari and vermouth as co-stars—this rye variation calls for dry vermouth rather than sweet, with Campari left to do the heavy lifting of providing both sweetness and an edge of bitterness. Rye firepower, vermouth's vinous element as a modifier, and Campari's bitter-sweet balance make this a classic three-part cocktail.
INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. rye whiskey
¾ oz. dry vermouth
¾ oz. Campari
Garnish: lemon twist

DIRECTIONS
Stir rye, dry vermouth, and Campari over ice. Strain into a stemmed glass. Garnish with expressed lemon twist.
Get More Rye...

A deftly-crafted homemade Old Fashioned or Manhattan is tough to beat. But all that measuring, muddling, stirring, and fussing can present a delay in drinking pleasure, especially when you're playing host. Fortunately, the best ready-to-drink bottled cocktails closely replicate a bar experience—minus the mixologist. Once dismissed as cloyingly sweet shortcuts, today's bottled cocktails can rival drinks born of the best bartenders, according to Ansley Coale, CEO of California-based Craft Distillers, the company that offers the barrel-aged Fluid Dynamics cocktail line. “When you allow excellent ingredients to marry over a period of time, instead of drinking a cocktail right after you mixed it, the richness and flavor increase exponentially,” Coale says. Go ahead and slip your friends our top picks—we'll never tell.The Six Best-Tasting Ready-to-Drink Whisky CocktailsBully Boy Old Fashioned—$30/750 mlThe high-rye pot still whiskey of Boston's first craft distillery, aged in...

There's a pricey new book about "impossible" whiskies that you might want to peruse if you have a spare grand—but for everyone else, check out the week's newest releases (even though a couple of these are just as spendy).Speyside's Glenrothes Distillery is releasing its oldest single malt ever. Distilled in 1968, Glenrothes 50 year old is priced according to its rarity, with just 50 bottles available at $35,000 each.Michter's is bringing back its 25 year old straight bourbon after a three-year absence. The 2020 release is priced at $1,000 and, needless to say, is very limited.Blackened has launched its first barrel-proof whiskey. Blackened Cask Strength debuts with Batch 106, priced at $55, and available in Florida and Kentucky, with expansion planned.Barrell Craft Spirits is rolling out the 2020 release of BCS bourbon, a higher-end blend than the core Barrell bourbon expression. There are 12,000 bottles available, priced at $250.Ireland's The Shed Distillery is debuting its first...

The most popular whisky types—scotch, bourbon, rye, and others—dominate the discussion. But there's a world of overlooked whisky styles out there, just waiting to be discovered. They're made with unusual mashbills, barrel finishes, and even creative flavorings. So break out of your comfort zone, and explore the far side of whisky appreciation. Here's our guide for whisky lovers who choose to travel off the beaten path.Drink Me: Rice Whisky From JapanJapanese rice whisky is actually barrel-aged rice shochu—as opposed to unaged shochu that enjoys huge mainstream popularity in Japan—and is mostly produced in the country's southernmost main island of Kyushu. These esoteric whiskies present a fascinating style, not least because their production method is so unusual. “The foundation of rice whisky is the ko-ji kin,” explains Shigeruriku Fukano-san, fifth-generation distiller at Fukano Distillery, a family-run operation in the city of Hitoyoshi on Kyushu...

The Spring 2022 issue of Whisky Advocate focuses on the great versatility and rich history of rye whiskey. Inside, we go deep on rye's roots in Pennsylvania, exploring the height of “Old” Monongahela popularized by bartender-favorite Old Overholt. And if you are accustomed to deploying rye in your Manhattan, we have a crop of new cocktails worth mixing as well as a bevy of bottles made to sip on, with 47 rye recommendations ranging from $23 to $185.Inside the Buying Guide, we review 98 whiskies, including a fair share of rye. Sample the ever-growing segment of finished whiskies with Ammunition Pinot Noir Finished (90 points) and Templeton Oloroso Sherry Finished (88 points), or stick with trusted value names like Knob Creek (92 points) and George Dickel (90 points). We also review WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII: Lapulapu's Pacific scoring 91 points and include it among our choice of collectibles. In fact, we went in-depth on the collectibility of the entire WhistlePig Boss Hog...

Whiskey can naturally have the flavor or texture of syrup, but distillers are now adding a touch of additional sweetness to their bourbons and ryes. Take the approachability of flavored whiskey, remove the added sugar, up the proof, toss in an element of craft collaboration, and you have syrup-finished whiskey.Iron Fish Distillery in Michigan has embraced maple flavors, inspired by the state's robust maple syruping activity. “Our vision from the very beginning was to incorporate maple in a variety of product extensions that embraced the heritage of Northern Michigan,” says co-founder Richard Anderson. Taconic Distillery in New York's Hudson Valley takes a similar approach, working with a nearby syrup producer for its Double Barrel Maple bourbon.Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, also in the Hudson Valley, has offered a maple syrup-finished whiskey since 2013. That whiskey, now called Hudson Short Stack, has remained a part of the core lineup ever since. “It was...

As blazing hot temperatures linger on, refreshing sippers tend to take the edge off. While you could certainly head to a bar, why not make a drink at home—and one with your very own homemade shrub at that? A mixture of fruit, sugar, and vinegar, shrubs is perfect for preserving summer flavors, and go wonderfully in whisky cocktails, too. Try your hand at one of these four whisky-and-shrub cocktails in our new guide, and beat the summer heat.
There’s plenty of new whisky this week, much of it is American-made. Heaven's Door, the Nashville-based brand co-founded by Bob Dylan, has debuted the first release in its new Decade Series, a collection of whiskeys aged 10 years or older; Woodford Reserve has unveiled the latest edition of Batch Proof; and Booker's is back with its second release of the year. Read on for full details.

Heaven’s Door Decade Series Release #01
Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: TennesseeAge: 10 year oldABV: 50%Price: $99Release: July...

Exploring new whiskies is among the joys that we’re able to experience regularly as whisky lovers. But there’s something to be said for familiar favorites—those bottles that first sparked your passion for whisky, or have stayed faithfully in your home bar since the very first sip. For a look at these old reliables, check out this list, which highlights some of those still-great first loves.
Elsewhere, the dog days of summer are delivering a handful of new whiskies, including three different styles of Irish whiskey from Jameson and W.D. O'Connell. The Dalmore has added a new aged single malt within its Principal Collection, High West is re-introducing its Campfire blended whiskey, and Bruichladdich takes another deep dive into Islay terroir with its latest release of Islay Barley. Read on for full details.

The Dalmore 14 year old
Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Highland)Age: 14 year oldABV: 43.8%Price: $90Release: September 2022Availability...

Cask finishing whisky is an art dating back centuries—and it is indeed an art, as any whisky maker will tell you that there’s a fine line between finishing and over-finishing. But its origins are rooted in practicality: Britain’s wine and spirits importers filled their emptied wine casks with whisky as a matter of thrift but soon discovered that it improved the taste. The barrels in question mainly held sherry and various other wines, but rum casks were in the mix too, albeit far less prominently.
Revived in the modern era by such whisky luminaries as David Stewart of Balvenie and Dr. Bill Lumsden of Glenmorangie, cask-finished whiskies are often a fan favorite, and while rum finishing remains less widely seen than port or sherry, the practice has spread far and wide. Hans Stafsholt, head distiller at the Colorado craft player Breckenridge Distillery, praises its unique benefits. In addition to making whisky, Breckenridge produces rum and then uses the rum...

Getting two for one at the bar usually means a good deal on drinks. But why not expand the concept to cocktails that marry a pair of whiskies?
Combining different styles of the spirit “creates a dynamic interplay of flavors and complexities that each whisky, while impressive on its own, couldn’t achieve independently,” explains San Francisco’s Aphotic bar manager Michael Nathan.
For example, rye adds spiciness; bourbon brings body and sweetness; and peated scotch lends a smokiness that can be subtle or in your face, depending on the whisky. Any combination of these can “emphasize the unique characteristics of each whisky and introduce a new layer of depth and texture that lends a unified, richer flavor profile,” Nathan says. Make it a double with these recipes.
Gingerbread Sour
Created by Jorge Centeno, chief spirits officer, Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois
A scotch rinse lends an alluring peaty aroma and flavor to this...

We firmly subscribe to the notion that Irish whiskey should be consumed all year round and not just one day a year, so with St. Patrick's Day in the rearview mirror, we figured your home Irish whiskey selection might need a bit of restocking. So here’s our whiskey version of Johnny Cash’s “Forty Shades of Green”—in the shape of 40 wallet-friendly Irish whiskeys.
The 40 Best Irish Whiskeys Under $50
94 Limavady Single Barrel, 46%. $50
This butterscotch and candied peel-tasting single malt made our Top 20.
93 Kilbeggan Single Pot Still, 43%, $45
Inspired by an old Locke family recipe, this has citrus, stone fruit, and fizzing pot still spices.
92 Knappogue Castle 12 year old, 40%, $42
This easy sipping single malt has notes of green apple, lemon meringue pie, and vanilla custard.
92 The Legendary Dark Silkie, $46, $44
Peppery barbecued meat, brown sugar, and orchard fruits on this peated blend.
92 The...

Amid the usual fanfare of new product announcements, this week brought word of the retirement of John MacDonald, longtime manager at Balblair Distillery in the Northern Highlands. One of the great citizens of the scotch whisky world, Macdonald has overseen all aspects of whisky making at Balblair, including its recent transition from vintage-dated releases to age statement whiskies. Situated on a hillside overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Balblair is arguably Scotland’s most picturesque distillery and certainly one of its more underrated ones. It’s just up the road from its famous neighbor Glenmorangie, and while it has never achieved the fame of Glenmorangie or its other Northern Highlands neighbor, Dalmore, its whiskies are certainly on equal footing.
As for the new whisky introductions, it’s been a busy week. Things got started with the rollout of the latest Lagavulin Offerman Edition, followed by the inaugural release from Islay distillery Ardnahoe, whose...

Weller 12 year old surged in popularity after Pappy Van Winkle took off in the mid-aughts, thanks its use of the same wheated mashbill, but being more affordable than its cousin, Van Winkle 12 year old. (And, at the time, somewhat easier to obtain at retail pricing.) Age statements for bourbon were rarer when Weller 12 was first released in 2001, though the market’s now flooded with similarly aged offerings, but being one of the originators, Weller 12 still stands out among the crowd. Here’s our report on Weller 12 year old bourbon 2023 release.            
Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon At a Glance:
Distillery Name: Buffalo Trace
Age: 12 year old
Mashbill: 51% corn, undisclosed wheat, undisclosed barley
Proof: 90/45% ABV
Cask: New, charred American oak barrels
SRP: $70
Quick Tasting Notes: Vanilla and caramel abound, as do candied orange zest and dark chocolate.
Overall Thoughts: A sublime daily...

August is when we start seeing the first of the fall releases, and Four Roses is right on time with this year's Limited Edition Small Batch expression, always among the most highly anticipated of the season. It's first available at the distillery and the nearby  Four Roses warehouse (details below) and then rolls into retail in mid-September. Tennessee's Chattanooga Whiskey has a new experimental expression called the Harvest Batch, this one is a seven-grain bourbon aged in six different barrels. And finally, from Washington State, Woodinville Whiskey has released its most remarkable whiskey to date—an 8 year old bourbon that's the culmination of a decade of experimentation to find what Woodinville calls  "the best barrel in the world" for maturing its bourbon. In concert with Independent Stave Co., the distillery filled eight different barrel types with new make and aged them for 4 1/2 years before deciding which barrel...

The Fall release from Old Fitzgerald is out: it's just a week before the start of winter, but these Old Fitz releases are nearly always worth the wait. Woodford Reserve, meanwhile, offers a second Batch Proof release this year, while Penelope has a new rum barrel finished expression. Still Austin, fresh off being named the No. 7 whisky of the year in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 rankings for 2024, joins an increasingly crowded cigar blend market with its new Still Austin Tanager. Hidden Barn, the work of former Old Forester master taster Jackie Zykan, has a new expression, while Chattanooga offers the 2024 edition of its Vault Series. And in the spirit of the holidays, Good Deed Spirits is back with a new blended whiskey whose proceeds will all be donated.
Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Bourbon (2024 Edition)
ABV: 59.75%
SRP: $150
Availability: Limited
Thanks to Woodford Reserve’s fiscal calendar, which ends in May, we’re being treated...

If there’s one thing to learn from the Roy family in the hit television series “Succession,” it’s that blood relatives and business often don’t mix. But that adage doesn’t ring true in American whiskey, where many storied families have embraced distilling with enduring success. The oldest distilling families have been at it for centuries— most notably the Beams, where the tradition stretches back eight generations to 1795, when Jacob Beam sold his first barrel of corn whiskey. Closely intertwined with that story is today’s Noe family, who are direct descendants.
Other families might not count eight generations back, but are nonetheless ingrained into the story of American distilling. Think the Van Winkles of Pappy fame, who are now into the fourth generation of whiskey makers, or the Hendersons with three generations of distillers, who created Angels Envy and recently launched True Story whiskey. Willett, too, has long remained a...

Mint is a multifaceted herb, with spearmint and peppermint being the best-known examples. Peppermint offers a stronger, more minty flavor, whereas spearmint is milder and more understated, seemingly closer to the plant where its flavor originates. It’s most commonly found in rye whiskey or high-rye bourbons, and once you tune into it, there’s no escaping the mintiness in a glass of either. But is it all down to just the grain?
Fermentation produces spicy mint notes from rye grain, but fresh discoveries suggest mint flavors can arise from another part of the whisky-making process, most notably the barrel. Researchers in Bordeaux demonstrated the presence of barrel-sourced volatile odorant compounds similar to those in peppermint oil as likely candidates for the mint notes in red wine. Turning to whisky, they analyzed samples of oak and whisky for terpenoid derivatives, namely the monoterpene, monoterpenol, ketone monoterpene, and C13-norisoprenoid chemical families...

The still room at Stauning is silent.
Copper gleams in the morning light. Rows of stills —24 in total—stand in neat lines, like sleeping instruments waiting for a conductor. But there’s no heat in the coils. No sound of bubbling wash. No spirit dripping into the safe.
Stauning still sells whisky. Its warehouses are stocked, the brand remains strong, the whisky is flowing—into glasses, not stills. But what is a whisky distillery that no longer distills? That’s a difficult question. A distillery can stay alive on cask sales for a while. But when the spirit isn’t being made, it’s like a heart that’s stopped beating—waiting for revival or reality to sink in.
This isn’t a story of failure. But it is a story of reckoning, one that says as much about the state of craft whisky today as it does about Stauning itself. At its center stands Hans Martin Hansgaard, one of nine co-founders and reluctant witness to a dream in...

There were quite a few interesting releases in the whisky world this week, notably a new 12 year old Eagle Rare and Diageo’s resurrection of the Stitzel Weller name with a new 24 year old.  The rest of the week is rounded out by two high-profile annual releases—the new Dewar’s Champion’s Edition 19 year old to mark the U.S. Open golf tournament, and Garrison Brothers’ annual release of the tawny port-finished Guadalupe, which always draws a crowd at the distillery in Texas. There's also a new edition of Rieger Monogram, this one with a bit of 15 year old sherry added as a tribute to blenders past, and a Widow Jane bourbon blend, which is a New York exclusive.  Buzzard's Roost has its most loyal fans pick the barrels for its latest whiskey, and Four Branches commemorates our military with a 9 year old bourbon.
Dewar’s The Champion’s Edition 19 year old (2025 Release) Blended Scotch
ABV: 43%
SRP: $80

During summertime, a whisky with sky-high proof doesn’t always fit the bill. But there are plenty of expressions with lower proofs (and price tags) that deliver big flavor and refreshing results. We’ve rounded up a selection of six whiskies to fit the season, all priced under $100 and bottled at or below 50% ABV.
Andalusia Triple Distilled American Single Malt, 50%, $55
Triple distillation is usually for the Irish whiskey set, but this Texas distiller pays homage to the Emerald Isle, begetting a lighter-profile American single malt. A barbecue lover’s dream, redolent with hints of sweet barbecue sauce and char, with plenty of lemon meringue and stone fruit to keep things complex.
Glendronach Ode to the Embers Sherry & Smoke Highland Single Malt Scotch, 48.4%, $91
Part of Glendronach’s The Master’s Anthology, this peated single malt is aged in both oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. A delightful array of...

With one notable exception, American whiskeys are the stars this week’s new releases. Most are limited edition and experimental, such as the two distillery exclusives from Angel’s Envy—one a bourbon that explores grain and the other a rye that features flavors of peat smoke—and the latest Master’s Collection bourbon from Woodford, which does a deep dive into just how American oak can influence whiskey. Heaven Hill has also introduced this year's Grain-to-Glass wheated bourbon, while O.H. Ingram, the brand best known for aging its whiskeys on the Mississippi River, is back with a wheater of its own. From outside Kentucky, there’s even more bourbon to mine. The Peyton Manning and Andy Roddick-owned Sweetens Cove returns with not one but two new Tennessee bourbons, Texas-based Garrison Brothers has debuted a bourbon finished in rye barrels, and Colorado’s Laws has added another bourbon to its Four Grain lineup. From Seattle...

Blue Run Spirits has launched a multi-city cocktail and music experience, offering an immersive encounter that highlights its signature Kentucky straight High Rye bourbon and the classic Vieux Carré cocktail, with support from local DJs at each location. The Vieux Carré & Vinyl Tour kicked off on October 1st in Nashville and has planned stops at cocktail bars in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami through early December. Admission is free for guests who rsvp online here.
The events include craft cocktails that feature Blue Run’s portfolio of whiskeys, with High Rye bourbon and the Vieux Carré taking center stage. A traditional Vieux Carré cocktail combines rye whiskey and cognac with sweet vermouth, herbal liqueur, and bitters. Blue Run notes that the spicy flavor of its High Rye bourbon complements the sweetness of the Vieux Carré’s other ingredients and amplifies the fruity and floral elements in the drink, offering a modern take on...

Every whiskey is barrel-aged, and single-barrel expressions offer the most intimate, small-batch tasting experience. The Russell family is at the forefront of this distinct category with their Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel offerings in both bourbon and rye expressions.
Named after the legendary Russell family, the series is crafted by Hall of Fame Master Distiller Eddie Russell. He learned his craft from his father, Jimmy Russell, the longest tenured Master Distiller in the world. Along with Eddie’s son Bruce Russell, Associate Master Blender, this family has over 100 years of distilling and production experience.
The three generations of Russells blend tradition with innovation, creating bourbons and ryes that suit modern tastes.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, first released in 2023, is initially distilled to an ABV of 65% which is considerably lower than the legal maximum of 80%. That means less water is added before barreling, thus...

Single barrel whiskeys, pulled from a single cask chosen by an individual or a group, are all the rage. They’re usually selected for representing the apex of a whiskey’s flavor profile, or sometimes for being very different, and each single barrel is unique. But what if you wanted to create a whiskey that’s even more bespoke? The answer lies in micro-blending, the latest wave in the private barrel whiskey world.
Micro-blending is the practice of blending all or part of two or three single barrels, sometimes all made from the same mashbill, but increasingly from different mashbills and finishes. “The market needs more innovative and dynamic flavors, pushing the boundaries of what whiskey can be,” says Dark Arts Whiskey House founder Macaulay Minton. “Micro-blending is the ideal progression.”

Minton’s micro-batching journey began after a field trip to Kentucky’s Wilderness Trail Distillery in 2016, while in college...

It’s a light week as far as new releases go, with just three new American whiskeys. Two hail from Texas: Hye-based Garrison Brothers is introducing its inaugural bottled in bond bourbon, and to the north, Fort Worth’s TX Whiskey has a new bourbon-rye blend that’s finished in vino de naranja casks. In Kentucky, NFL icon Terry Bradshaw is adding 6 and 12 year old bourbons to his Bradshaw bourbon roster.
TX Whiskey Experimental Series: Vino de Naranja Blended American
ABV: 41.75%
SRP: $40
Availability: Limited
TX Whiskey has kept innovation at its core through the Experimental Series, which launched in 2020 with a rye whiskey made from 85% rye and 15% malted rye. Six years later, the series is now getting its 15th release, this one a blend of straight bourbon and straight rye whiskeys finished in vino de naranja casks. Both component whiskeys are 5 years old, and once married, they spent an additional 3 years aging in finishing casks that...

Burgers and beer have long been friends, but whisky is also a natural accompaniment. Many bars and restaurants around the country offer a their signature burgers alongside some very cool whisky lists. From private barrel exclusives to sampler flights of unique brands, these bars have whiskies that appeal to all types of aficionados, while also offering elevated burger options that run the gamut from custom beef blends to wild game patties, with toppings that are equally creative.

Spears Bourbon, Burgers, and Beer
Wheeling, Illinois
Both burgers and whisky get major attention at Spears. This suburban Chicago restaurant boasts almost 400 whiskies on its menu, alongside grass-fed beef specialty burgers. Private barrels are a big deal here, and Spears offers a variety of exclusive bottlings, from Old Forester and Jack Daniel’s to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and New Riff rye ($14-$32/2 oz., some are available for bottle purchase). Beyond that...

Later this month, Four Roses is kicking off the first chapter of what will be a series of seasonal celebrations: It's launching with Manhattan Week, featuring a grand-prize trip to Manhattan, NYC. Starting in April, Columbus, Ohio-based The Ingram Distillery is opening up its grounds (and floating warehouses!) for tours, while Hollywood Distillery in Los Angeles is set to start making its own whiskey. And after making news last week for its charitable endeavors, Pappy Van Winkle is keeping its philanthropy going with yet another altruistic push, this one benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana. These news items, and more, are below.
Four Roses Gets Social
In its campaign to celebrate shared moments, Four Roses has unveiled the first in a series of seasonal and cultural celebrations featuring events and giveaways. The first “chapter” in the series is Manhattan Week, a partnership between Four Roses and Carpano Antica Formula vermouth...

WhiskyFest San Francisco on October 6th is fast approaching, and if you're a whisky lover in the Bay Area, it's the perfect way to kick off the fall whisky-drinking season in earnest.With over 400 whiskies being poured, WhiskyFest has something for everyone (and if you want to quench your thirst with scotch, we've got you covered). But if you're a bourbon fanatic or just want to see what all the fuss is about, take a look below for the Whisky Advocate editorial team's top bourbon (and rye) picks at WhiskyFest San Francisco. All of these pours are available with general admission tickets. (If you haven't bought yours yet, it's not too late!)7 Must-Try Bourbons At WhiskyFest San FranciscoEagle Rare 17 year oldThere's a reason it's called Eagle Rare, not Eagle Common. Like all the members of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Eagle Rare 17 is genuinely hard to find—except at WhiskyFest. Don't miss your chance to try this annual special release, which regularly scores a 93 or 94 in...

Michael Cudlitz's taste in whiskey is as all-American as his most memorable on-screen roles—fighters like Sergeant Denver “Bull” Randleman on the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers and Sergeant Abraham Ford from AMC's The Walking Dead. We sat down with the avid whiskey fan and Long Island native at Porchlight in New York City to sip our way through a few of 2017's best American whiskeys and find out what's next for the actor following the gruesome death of his character on The Walking Dead, season 7.Cudlitz is well cast as a sergeant; he's even provided voiceovers for several Call of Duty video games. A fit and formidable figure, never short on opinions, he appears comfortably close to his blue-collar roots, knocking back a bourbon in his dock-worker knit cap and black leather boots. In fact, Cudlitz was working as the construction coordinator on Beverly Hills 90210—where he was politely informed to stick to swinging his hammer and forget any aspirations of auditioning—when one...

Whisky and sweet vermouth aren't just pals, they're best buds. They do everything together. Sweet vermouth, with its velvety mouthfeel, is a captivating cocktail partner for almost any whisky. A two-to-one ratio of rye (or bourbon) and vermouth is a Manhattan; replace the rye with scotch, and you have a Rob Roy. It's that simple.“Whisky and sweet vermouth have some similar flavors and aromas, including the sweetness of both products,” explains Trevor Frye, proprietor of Wash Line LLC, and the one-time beverage director at Washington, D.C.'s Jack Rose Dining Saloon. As you dip your toes into the waters of home cocktailing, it's a foolproof combination that should inspire you to continue wading deeper.The trick is finding the sweet vermouth that best suits your whisky. Certain varieties may work better with certain cocktails or particular types of whisky—whereas some are intensely sweet, almost thick, others are lighter. Some are vanilla-forward and others highlight citrus.Can't...

This cocktail shows how well rye can play with others. First created in 1938 at the Carousel Bar of the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, the Cognac and rye blend is a nice nod to the city's heritage as a port between two worlds, while the addition of sweet vermouth gives it Manhattan familiarity. But its hallmark is a soupçon of Bénédictine, which lends herbal complexity while also demonstrating that rye will not be cowed by complex liqueurs.
Get More Rye Cocktail Recipes
INGREDIENTS

¾ oz. rye whiskey
¾ oz. Cognac
¾ oz. sweet vermouth
1 barspoon Bénédictine
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: maraschino cherry

DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in mixing glass with ice, and stir well until chilled. Strain into a small rocks glass. Garnish with the cherry.
FROM THE SPRING...