It’s hard to believe we’re already in August, and the whiskeys on this list are red hot. This week’s whiskeys include releases from popular series by brands like Brother Justus and New Riff. Even better still, more than a few of this week’s selections are for a good cause.
This list features offerings from across the pond as well as indie darlings like Starlight Distilling. In short, don’t sleep on this week’s list of spectacular releases.
Founder’s Release from Brother Justus
Minneapolis’ Brother Justus Whiskey Company announced on July 31 that it was dropping the 2025 edition of its Founder’s Reserve series. The third release within the series clocks in at 125 proof and is between 1 to 3 years old. It costs $129.99, according to the brand.
This year’s Founder’s Reserve features an all-pale ale malted barley mash that spent time fermenting for seven days. The team distilled it at a higher proof, and the whiskey spent time aging in cold-grown native Minnesota White Oak.
Brother Justus shares that this high-toned release is fresh, with citrus-driven and vanilla cream aromas. The citrus-imbued palate features lemon drizzle cake and cherries, and the conclusion boasts campfire smoke and toasted hazelnut.
34 Year Old Bourbon from I.W. Harper
The Manual reported on July 27 that I.W. Harper unveiled a 34-year-old bourbon that spent time maturing at the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery in Kentucky. The outlet reported that the bourbon’s origins date to 1989, and just 11 bottles exist.
The extremely high-profile launch is a joint collaboration between the brand and multi-hyphenate “Selma” star, Colman Domingo. Five of the eleven whiskeys will go up for auction with Sotheby’s, and proceeds are set to go to Native Son, a non-profit for queer Black men.
The auction started on July 24 and will close on August 7, and Sotheby’s estimates it will fetch a closing price of somewhere between $3,000 to $5,000. Interested parties can bid here.
Headliner from New Riff Distilling
Fred Minnick reported on July 31 that New Riff is dropping the second edition of its yearly Headliner Series. The blend of four whiskeys features some liquid that dates to some of the first batches distilled at New Riff 11 years prior. It clocks in at 111 proof.
The blend of liquid consists of 28% 11-year-old corn whiskey, 27% 11-year-old bourbon whiskey, 15% 10-year-old Balboa rye, 15% 10-year-old rye and 15% 8-year-old Aroostook malted rye whiskey. Proceeds from the sales will go a nonprofit that partners with families and helps them reach financial stability, The Brighton Center.
A bottle retails for $150, according to the news release. New Riff shares that this year’s headliner features maple syrup and fruity spice. The finish offers mint-chocolate and cinnamon candy.
10 Year Old Bourbon from Starlight Distillery
On July 29, Forbes reported on Starlight Distillery’s 10-Year-Old Bourbon, a widely-lauded release from the Indiana indie distillery. This release is significant to Starlight in that it’s the brand’s oldest bourbon to date.
According to Forbes, the majority of the grains used in the mashbill were grown at the property, it was double-pot distilled, and barreled between 112 and 116 proof. The team bottled the whiskey at a hefty 120.3 proof.
The bottle hosts a suggested retail price of $250.
Beer & Wine Cask Finishes from Westland Distillery
Fred Minnick reported on July 30 that Westland unveiled the second iteration of its Cask Exploration Series. This year’s drop features two American Single Malts finished in beer and wine casks. The series launched in 2024.
Each whiskey hosts a suggested price of $74.99 and clocks in at an ABV of 46%. The beer cask finished expression spent time finishing in a cornucopia of beer casks: Stout, Porter, Brown Ale, Imperial Munich Lager and Foudre Ale.
The wine cask expression spent time finishing in a mixture of red wines: Tempranillo, Washington Red Blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.
Westland claims its beer cask-finished whiskey is bright and “crispy,” and its wine-finished expression features a rich, fruity quality.
Necessary Evil Stout Cask FInish Single Malt from White Peak/Wire Works
The Spirits Business reported on August 1 that English whisky distillery, White Peak, dropped its third iteration of Necessary Evil Stout. The 2025 release clocks in at 51.3% and features a suggested retail price of $91.
Necessary Evil is a single malt that is subtle on the peat and spends time aging in ex-Bourbon barrels. The whisky finishes in Necessary Evil casks from Thornbridge Brewery, a nearby craft brewery. White Peak shares that it has a “strong relationship” with the team at Thornbridge since its inception, and the single malt is a celebration of that relationship in liquid form.
Necessary Evil Stout Cask Finish is a savory whisky, and it possesses aromas of fresh roast coffee, hazlenut, Marmite on toast, Medjool dates and oranges.
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