Bourbon for Golfers, Ale-Finished Rye & More New Whisky

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 Brewer's Select Rye Ale Barrel-Finished rye is $70, with just 744 bottles available.Michter's is rolling out the 2020 release of its 10 year old single-barrel bourbon. Retail priced at $130, there are limited amounts available.Finally, The Last Drop is rounding out previous releases of very old Glenrothes with a 1970 vintage, comprising three single casks. Just 286 bottles of the nearly 50 year old single malt are available, priced at $6,250.Read on for full details.

The Clover 4 year old Single Barrel Straight Bourbon

Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: IndianaAge: 4 years oldProof: 46% ABVPrice: $50Release: Spring 2020Availability: 24,000 bottles

Need to know:

This bourbon was made at MGP Distillery and aged for 4 years.

The Clover 10 year old Single Barrel Straight Tennessee Whiskey

Style: Tennessee whiskeyOrigin: TennesseeAge: 10 years oldProof: 45% ABVPrice: $70Release: Spring 2020Availability: 12,000 bottles

Need to know:

Though the label reads "Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey," this whiskey underwent the Lincoln County Process, making it not only a bourbon, but, more precisely, a Tennessee whiskey. (Yes, Tennessee whiskey is bourbon.)

The Clover 4 year old Single Barrel Straight Rye

Style: Straight ryeOrigin: IndianaAge: 4 years oldProof: 45.5% ABVPrice: $50Release: Spring 2020Availability: 24,000 bottles

Need to know:

Distilled at MGP, this rye was aged for 4 years.

Whisky Advocate says:

The Clover range is named in honor of legendary golfer Bobby Jones—who purportedly wore a four-leaf clover medallion in every match—and originally launched in 2018 as an exclusive for golf clubs and resorts. This March, however, the line made its debut at retail and is now available in about 20 states.While the single-barrel bourbon and rye started off with 4 year old age statements, those will disappear as the stock gets older.

Sagamore Spirit Brewer's Select Ale Barrel-Finished Rye

Style: RyeOrigin: IndianaAge: Not statedProof: 45% ABVPrice: $70Release: Spring 2020Availability: 744 bottles

Need to know:

To create this whiskey, Sagamore Spirit sent some of its rye barrels to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to be filled with rye ale. When the beer was finished, the brewery sent the barrels back to Sagamore, which filled them again with a blend of 4 and 6 year old straight ryes, finishing them for 10 months.

Whisky Advocate says:

Sagamore is planning a whole series of beer cask-finished ryes under the Brewer's Select label. Sagamore Spirit president Brian Treacy says, "The Brewer's Select series is an innovation initiative that is close to our hearts as many of our distillers were brewers in past lives, from the likes of New Belgium and Flying Dog Brewery."

Michter's 10 year old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2020 Release)

Style: Straight bourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: 10 years oldProof: 47.2% ABVPrice: $130Release: May 2020Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

Released annually, this 10 year old straight bourbon from Michter's is available in unspecified limited amounts.

Whisky Advocate says:

Michter's 10 year old bourbon is always a single-barrel release, meaning a small amount of variation is inevitable. But we've found the barrels to be consistently excellent, scoring 92 points in 2018 and 91 points in 2019.

The Last Drop 1970 Glenrothes 49 year old

Style: Single maltOrigin: Scotland (Speyside)Age: 49 years oldProof: Varies (44.1%-45.3% ABV)Price: $6,250Release: Spring 2020Availability: 286 bottles, including 35 for the U.S.

Need to know:

There are three single casks available, all distilled on December 6, 1970, and bottled at cask strength:

• Cask No. 10586: 45.3% ABV
• Cask No. 10588: 44.1% ABV
• Cask No. 10589: 45% ABV

Whisky Advocate says:

This is the last of a trio of well-aged Glenrothes from The Last Drop; the previous releases were aged in 1969 and 1968. All have had similar availability and the same price.