
Westland Distillery's new outpost range includes the existing Garryana single malt, as well as two planned releases: Colere (pictured) and Solum.
Westland Outpost Collection, Sagamore Manhattan Finish & More New Whiskey
August 14, 2020 –––––– Susannah Skiver Barton
Westland Garryana (Edition 5)
Style: Single maltOrigin: WashingtonAge: Not statedProof: 50% ABVPrice: $150Release: November 2020Availability: 5,625 bottles
Need to know:
The fifth release of Westland's Garryana expression, this peated single malt whiskey was matured in 36% virgin Garry oak casks—the highest proportion of garry oak maturation thus far—and 64% first-fill bourbon casks.
Westland Colere (Edition 1)
Style: Single maltOrigin: WashingtonAge: Not statedProof: 50% ABVPrice: $150Release: Spring 2021Availability: Limited edition
Need to know:
Distilled from Alba, a six-row winter barley, this whiskey was matured in used casks only (62% second-fill and 38% first-fill bourbon) to better showcase the grain's character. The Colere (Latin for "to cultivate") series of single malts will showcase a different barley varietal each year.
Westland Solum
Style: Single maltOrigin: WashingtonAge: TBDProof: TBDPrice: TBDRelease: 2023Availability: Limited edition
Need to know:
Planned for release in 2023, this whiskey's barley was malted using locally sourced peat. Solum means "soil" in Latin.
Whisky Advocate says:
Each of these whiskeys—Garryana, Colere, and Solum—will be released annually as part of Westland's Outpost range. The series is intended to push the boundaries of production and flavor into new territories, using the familiar ingredients of oak (Garryana), barley (Colere), and peat (Solum). The whiskeys are limited and likely to quickly become collectible, but I hope buyers drink them. That's the whole point!
Sagamore Spirit Distiller's Select Manhattan Finish
Style: Finished ryeOrigin: IndianaAge: Not statedProof: 51.5% ABVPrice: $70Release: Fall 2020Availability: Limited edition
Need to know:
To create a whiskey influenced by the flavors of the Manhattan, Sagamore Spirit finished straight rye in three different barrel types: cherry brandy, vermouth, and bitters.
Whisky Advocate says:
This Manhattan Finish rye is the first in a planned series of finishes in spirits barrels, called Distiller's Select. The line joins Sagamore's Brewer's Select collection, finished in beer barrels, which debuted earlier this year.
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Collaborative Series Copper & Kings Oloroso Sherry Cask-Finished
Style: Finished bourbonOrigin: IndianaAge: 12 years oldProof: 50% ABVPrice: $125Release: August 2020Availability: 1,100 bottles; for sale in KY, IL, and IN
Need to know:
The latest release in Bardstown Bourbon Co.'s Collaborative series, this bourbon was distilled from a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, and finished in oloroso sherry casks from Louisville's Copper & Kings, which had used them to mature brandy.
Whisky Advocate says:
Sherry casks are widely used for finishing all kinds of whisky, but the ones used here are more than just sherry casks, because they held brandy before the bourbon. Let's call them sherry-plus casks.There are a few other examples of whisky makers using "-plus" casks, such as when a distiller ages its whiskey in new charred oak, then sends the barrel to a brewery for aging stout, and then takes it back again for a different whiskey to mature in (at that points, it's a whiskey-plus-beer cask). Four Gate Whiskey Co. released a bourbon finished in sherry-rum casks.Is this a growing trend? Let's wait and see.
Fresh Bourbon
Style: BourbonOrigin: KentuckyAge: Not statedProof: 47.5% ABVPrice: $42Release: Late 2020/early 2021Availability: 7,500 bottles; for sale online
Need to know:
Made with a mashbill of 60% corn, 20% honey malted barley, 10% malted wheat, and 10% malted rye, this bourbon was distilled in a pot still and aged in a mix of barrel sizes. Pre-orders for the first batch are available until September 30, with bottles shipping in late 2020 or early 2021. In addition to the standard bottle, special "first batch" and "first barrel" bottles in autographed, commemorative boxes are also available.
Whisky Advocate says:
Founded by husband-and-wife team Sean and Tia Edwards, the Fresh Bourbon Distilling Co. is Kentucky's first African American-owned distillery, as recognized by the state legislature. While the brand's initial release was distilled at Hartfield & Co., the Edwardses plan to open their own distillery in Lexington, and will announce additional details in early 2021.
Chattanooga Straight Tennessee Rye Malt
Style: Straight malted rye whiskeyOrigin: TennesseeAge: At least 3 years oldProof: 49.5% ABVPrice: $40Release: July 2020Availability: For sale in AL, CO, FL, GA, KY, MS, SC, TN, TX, and online
Need to know:
In 2018, Chattanooga Whiskey released a straight malted rye as part of its experimental series. The whiskey was so well-received that it's now a permanent part of the distillery's lineup. It's made with 60% malted rye—a blend of "slow-toasted" and drum-roasted malts—and aged for over 3 years in 53-gallon barrels.
Whisky Advocate says:
Whereas the experimental version of this rye was aged in a mix of 25- and 53-gallon barrels, this permanent release used only the latter. Look for a review in an upcoming issue ofWhisky Advocate!
Rogue Morimoto Whiskey
Style: WhiskeyOrigin: OregonAge: Not statedProof: 42.5% ABVPrice: $80Release: August 2020Availability: 942 bottles
Need to know:
Made in collaboration with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, this whiskey was distilled from Rogue's Morimoto imperial pilsner and Morimoto Black Obi ale. It matured for over 2 years in new American oak barrels, then spent a year and a half finishing in Oregon oak barrels that had previously held Rogue's Rolling Thunder imperial stout. Rogue head distiller Jake Holshue gaveWhisky Advocate more information about the whiskey earlier this week.
Whisky Advocate says:
Although Rogue has labeled this a single malt whiskey, one of the beers used for the wash, Black Obi ale, includes buckwheat (soba) in its grain bill. "Single malt whiskey" isn't a regulated term in the U.S.; however, the prevailing and widely accepted definition of single malt (including the one put forth by the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission) requires the use of only malted barley. If aged only in new oak barrels, this could be considered a malt whiskey. But because the maturation also includes used barrels, this whiskey's technical categorization is, simply, whiskey.
Treaty Oak Day Drinker Bourbon
Style: BourbonOrigin: TexasAge: 1 year oldProof: 40% ABVPrice: $26Release: September 2020Availability: For sale in CA, FL, and TX and online, with expansion planned
Need to know:
Made by Treaty Oak Distilling in Dripping Springs, Texas, this bourbon is distilled from corn and wheat and aged for 12 months.
Whisky Advocate says:
At 40% ABV, this bourbon is intended to be a more "sessionable" whiskey than Treaty Oak's 47.5% ABV bourbon, Ghost Hill. After its launch next month in Texas, Florida, and California, the bourbon will roll out more widely.
Barrica PX
Style: Finished bourbonOrigin: IndianaAge: Not statedProof: 46.5% ABVPrice: $46Release: Summer 2020Availability: For sale in OH, with expansion planned
Need to know:
Made at MGP Distillery, this bourbon was "enhanced" with French oak staves and finished in a Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry cask.
Whisky Advocate says:
Barrica PX is being bottled as a single-cask whiskey, with the first release for sale in Ohio only. Subsequent releases will be available in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Crater Lake Rare Spirits Collection Barley Whiskey
Style: Single malt whiskeyOrigin: OregonAge: 5 years oldProof: 45.6% ABVPrice: $35Release: August 2020Availability: 300 bottles; for sale in the distillery's tasting rooms only
Need to know:
Made with 100% malted barley and aged in new charred oak, this whiskey is the first in Crater Lake's Rare Spirits Collection.
Whisky Advocate says:
Crater Lake calls this a barley whiskey, but it also meets the standards of single malt whiskey or straight malt whiskey.The distillery plans to release additional expressions in the Rare Spirits Collection in the coming year.