Whisky Watch: Woodford Double Oaked Rye, Barrell Sweet Peat, Garrison Brothers BIB & More

This week’s list of new releases is fairly short, but the whiskies are worth your attention and highlight some interesting production methods. Leading the pack is Woodford Reserve, which is applying its toasted barrel finishing method—made iconic by Double Oaked and Double Double Oaked bourbons—to rye whiskey. Barrell has blended ultra-aged Speyside scotch and Canadian whisky for a peated cask finished expression that explores approachable smoke. Over in Texas, Garrison Brothers is back with a new bonded expression following its first foray into the style in February, and Milam & Greene has a new bourbon distilled and aged entirely in-state. Orphan Barrel has a new collectible light whiskey inspired by the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie. Finally, Blade & Bow has a new 30 year old that was barrelled in 1993 and was partly aged at Stitzel-Weller.

Woodford Double Oaked Rye

ABV: 45.2%
SRP: $55
Availability: Nationwide

One of Woodford Reserve’s most popular whiskeys is its Double Oaked bourbon, which sees the distillery’s flagship bourbon receive a 6–12 month finish in a second new charred oak barrel. Now Woodford is giving that same treatment to its rye with this new permanent expression, which is finished for up to a year in heavily toasted and lightly charred virgin oak barrels. The brand says to expect notes of roasted espresso, caramel, lemon custard, and candied pecan.

Barrell Sweet Peat Blend

ABV: 71.1%
SRP: $200
Availability: Online and select retailers

Barrell Craft Spirits has rolled out a new hazmat expression that explores the gentler side of peat smoke. Blending 22 year old Speyside single malt scotch with Canadian whisky, it was finished in toasted Jamaican rum barrels and Islay whisky casks, which have imparted a mix of tropical fruits and subtle maritime smoke.

Garrison Brothers Bottled in Bond Bourbon (Fall 2020 Vintage)

ABV: 50%
SRP: $90
Availability: Limited

Back in February, Hye, Texas-based Garrison Brothers celebrated a milestone by releasing its first bonded whiskey. Now the distillery has announced a second batch, which will start rolling out next month. This one was blended from 102 barrels that were all distilled in October 2020 and aged for 6 years.

The total batch accounts for 19,500 bottles, which will be released in two waves. The first 1,000 bottles will be available at the distillery on November 14th for Red, White, & Bourbon, an annual fundraiser benefiting the National Museum of the Pacific War. The event will include live music, WWII vehicles on display, a cannon firing, and a silent auction. Any remaining bottles from the event will be available at the Garrison Brothers gift shop on November 16th, with the rest of the batch going to retailers and e-commerce platforms by the end of the month.

Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection Desert Marigold Straight Bourbon

ABV: 62.1%
Price: $150
Availability: Limited

Texas-based Milam & Greene has debuted this year's final expression in its Wildlife Collection: Desert Marigold. Named for the native West Texas wildflower that thrives in the state's harsh climate, the bourbon was distilled and aged entirely in Texas, departing from the brand's usual approach of blending whiskeys from Texas and Kentucky. Just 288 bottles were produced from three medium-toasted, No. 3-char barrels filled in late 2018 and early 2019. The bourbon has a mashbill of 70% corn, 22% malted rye, and 8% malted barley and matured for 7 years and 8 months. The release follows the brand’s Unabridged Volume 5, another high-proof bourbon. Bottles are available online, through Flaviar, and at the distillery's tasting room in Blanco, Texas.

Orphan Barrel Latverian Cask American Light Whiskey

ABV: 46%
SRP: $200
Availability: Limited

Ahead of the release of the movie Avengers: Doomsday this December, Orphan Barrel has debuted an American light whiskey inspired by the film. The whiskey’s mashbill consists primarily of corn; it was distilled in Indiana, and barrels were aged in both the Hoosier State and Kentucky. A combination of bourbon, rye, light whiskey, and American whiskey barrels was used for maturation.

The bottle’s label features artwork by Marvel artist Rod Reis; one in six bottles will have a holographic label. The new whiskey is available at thebar.com, as well as at Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Shively, Kentucky.

Blade and Bow 30 year old Cask Strength Bourbon

ABV: 82.1%
SRP: $2,500
Availability: 1,200 bottles

The latest release from Blade and Bow is an addition to its 30 year old collection. The new whiskey was put into barrel in the spring of 1993, and spent the majority of its maturation at Stitzel-Weller. Out of 96 barrels, Nicole Austin—who is the director of American whiskey liquid development at brand owner Diageo—selected 42 barrels, with the majority going to the cask strength release (a new edition of a proofed down 30 year old bourbon, which comes in at 109 proof, is also coming out, with far less availability at just 30 bottles initially).

Both the cask strength and limited release bourbon are available at Stitzel-Weller in Shively, as well as in select markets across the country. There will be periodic drops at the distillery throughout the holiday season.