Something must have been in the water this week, as some of the biggest names in whiskey dropped incredibly buzz-worthy expressions.
The best whiskeys that dropped this week are from superstar brands like Michter’s and Woodford, coupled with indies like Cedar Ridge and the Texas powerhouse, Milam & Greene. Proper No. Twelve appears to be shaking things up in the Irish whiskey front, and the brand dropped its inaugural extended-age release, with a hefty age statement of 13 years.
This week’s list is an eclectic lineup with American Single Malts, ryes, bouryes and everything in between, so read on for the best whiskeys that dropped the week of May 22.
The QuintEssential Special Release Number Five by Cedar Ridge Distillery
The Quintessential is an American Single Malt from Cedar Ridge, Iowa’s indie whiskey brand. Cedar Ridge’s QuintEssential clocks in at 117.8 proof and possesses a suggested retail price of $99.99.
News of its release broke out on May 19 and this whiskey implements five special casks within the finishing process, honoring the fact that it is the fifth installment within the QuintEssential Series.
A diverse mixture of imported and estate Port casks, coupled with imported Madeira wine casks and a bespoke estate red wine from the hybrid varietal Marquette was also used. The Marquette wine mimics Madeira, complementing the other finishing casks. Fans of Cedar Ridge interested in picking up a bottle can order it from Cedar Ridge’s website.
10 Year Rye by Michter’s
Michter’s beloved 10-year rye is back, folks, and the brand shared that this whiskey hit shelves on May 20.
The extended-age release from Drinks International’s “Most Admired Whiskey” brand — for two years in a row, we might add — features a suggested price of $210.
Michter’s typically releases whiskeys with more modest proofs; this bottle is no exception and clocks in at 92.8 proof. Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson shares that it checks every box for a true Kentucky-style rye, with its gentle and elegant profile.
With soft citrus, fresh oak and vanilla, there’s no shortage of delicate aromas and flavors in this rye whiskey.
The Answer by Milam & Greene
Does climate affect how a whiskey tastes? Well, Milam and Greene appear to have finally found “The Answer” with this two-bottle whiskey set. The Answer derives from one batch of bourbon that the team separated into two batches. Both batches aged the same way, with one key difference: location.
Half of the batch went to Texas Hill Country and the other half went to Kentucky. CEO and Master Blender Heather Greene hypothesized that Texas’s hotter climate results in more extracted bourbons with higher proofs. It appears the experiment did just that.
Milam & Greene’s Kentucky expression clocks in at a more mild 108 proof. The brand’s Texas bourbon comes in at a higher proof of 116. Whether you want to sip them side-by-side and partake in Milam & Greene’s experiment or blend them both to create something truly stunning, it’s up to you.
13-Year-Old Single Malt by Proper No. Twelve
Admittedly, Proper No. Twelve garnered media attention for reasons other than whiskey releases, such as the ongoing legal battle between Artem Lobov and the brand’s former founder, Conor McGregor. Lobov claimed that Proper No. Twelve was his idea. Lobov also alleged that McGregor did not pay him fairly as the whiskey brand rose to superstardom, according to ESPN News.
Fred Minnick reported that the Irish whiskey brand, Proper No. Twelve, just unveiled its 13-year-old Single Malt on May 19. This marks the first extended-age whiskey release from the Irish whiskey brand. The whiskey clocks in at a modest 86 proof and originates from a mashbill of 100% malted barley.
This extended-age release marks the first-ever limited-edition release from Proper No. Twelve. Additionally, it happens to be the first whiskey to drop after the brand cut ties with McGregor. The Irish fighter and spirits entrepreneur faced a guilty verdict of sexual assault in a civil case in Ireland, according to Body Slam.
The distillate matured in used European Oak Ruby port casks and new American oak bourbon casks. The whiskey features a suggested retail price of $59.99.
Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Tawny Port Finish by Woodford Reserve
Are you feeling a bourbon or rye this summer? Can’t decide? Well, Woodford’s latest release might be the perfect answer to this common drinker’s dilemma.
The Robb Report shared the news about Woodford’s most recent Distillery Series release on May 20. The brand’s highly limited Tawny Port Finish is a blend of bourbon and rye that Woodford’s team finished in tawny port barrels.
Woodford’s team bottled this whiskey at 90.4 proof and a 375 ml bottle features a suggested retail price of $65.
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