You could very easily say that the week of November 14 had some of the biggest whiskey releases in a long time.
Heavy hitters from legendary brands like Sazerac and Old Forester made headlines. Additionally, iconic Japanese whisky brands like Nikka celebrated major milestones with storied releases. There are some cult favorite seasonal expressions in here as well worth checking out before the holiday season gets into swing.
Read on for the best whiskeys that dropped the week of November 14.
50 Year Old Whisky by Aberlour
On Nov. 11, The Spirits Business reported that Aberlour unveiled a rare 50-year-old scotch, and just 20 bottles exist of the stuff. Each bottle hosts a suggested price of a whopping $40,700 a pop.
This extended-age scotch made an appearance at the Distillers One of One charity auction, one of the most high-profile scotch auctions out there. The Distiller’s One of One offers scotch whisky enthusiasts the chance to buy once-in-a-lifetime expressions typically housed in artful decanters. All the proceeds go to disadvantaged youth in Scotland.
Aberlour’s 50 Year Old Scotch clocks in at 45.2% ABV and possesses an aroma that bursts forth with orchard fruits like apricots, apples, and cantaloupes. The palate offers up flavors of orange marmalade, vanilla, and ginger. It concludes with a slight touch of spice.
New Year by Barrell Craft
Barrell Craft’s New Year made headlines on Nov. 11, according to Robb Report. This cult-favorite whiskey drops from the blending house right around this time of year, and the 2026 release clocks in at 110.3 proof.
Each release of New Year features different blends from Barrell Craft, and the outlet shares that Barrell Craft Founder Joe Beatrice says he aims to show “some of the most exciting bourbons being distilled across the U.S.” in each release. Juice from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland, New York and Ohio is included in the final blend for this year’s expression. The final mashbill consists of 74% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley, and 1% wheat.
Robb Report’s spirits journalist Jonah Flicker claims that he gets notes of hazelnut, hot honey, molasses, and orchard fruit on the pour. This whiskey costs a modest $85.
Cask Strength Machir Bay by Kilchoman
Indie Islay distillery, Kilchoman, is bringing back its fan favorite Machir Bay Cask Strength expression, according to The Spirits Business. The outlet reported on Nov. 11 that the 58.1% ABV release hosts a suggested price of approximately $85 for a 700 ml bottle.
According to Kilchoman’s founder, Antony Wills, Machir Bay Cask Strength is one of his favorite whiskies from the brand, and it has plenty of that “Kilchoman spirit,” that is so essential to the Islay whisky producer.
Kilchoman’s Machir Bay Cask Strength has aromas of vanilla, citrus, caramel and that Islay smoke.
King Ranch and Commemorative Single Barrel by Old Forester
Old Forester dropped two iconic whiskeys within days of each other this week. On Nov. 12, the Brown-Forman-owned brand announced it would be bringing back the limited release of its King Ranch Edition. The whiskey honors Texas, and this year’s offering possesses a spiffed-up label.
For this release, Old Forester pays homage to King Ranch, a privately-owned ranch with roots that date back to 1853. It clocks in at 105 proof and the bourbon brand claims it possesses aromas of dried red fruit, like cranberries and cherries, coupled with sweet dark chocolate and leather flavors.
As for Old Forester’s other release, Fred Minnick reported on Nov. 10 that it was dropping a release of its Commemorative Single Barrel Whiskey, honoring one of its legends. The whiskey honors Elmer Lucille Allen, the first Black chemist to work at Brown-Forman.
She was hired in 1966 to analyze grains like corn and rye at a time where companies did not hire Black women in those positions. The limited release bottle will drop on Nov. 14, and Allen will be at Old Forester to sign bottles.
Nikka From The Barrel Extra Marriage
Men’s Journal reported on Nov. 11 that Nikka was celebrating 40 years of history with a limited release: Nikka From The Barrel Extra Marriage. The whiskey costs approximately $69.99 — a relatively affordable price tag. 6,000 bottles are being dropped in the United States.
The 51.4% ABV juice spent an additional three months being “married” in the barrel. Nikka from the Barrel was originally launched in 1985, and the release features over 100 batches of whiskey, typically from its Yochi and Miyagikyo distilleries. Though Nikka From The Barrel might not meet all of the qualifications for Japanese whisky, it is still a cult favorite amongst consumers.
According to the brand, the whisky has a deeper richness to it from the additional maturation process.
Sazerac Full Proof Rye by Buffalo Trace
On Nov. 12, Sazerac announced that it was making its full-proof rye a permanent addition to its portfolio. This whiskey clocks in at a hefty 125 proof, giving it a bit more heat than its 90 and 100-proof siblings. Sazerac Full Proof Rye costs approximately $39 for a 750 ml bottle.
Buffalo Trace shares that the whiskey came from the distillery’s $1.2 billion expansion, and credits increased production capabilities as to the reason behind the latest liquid innovation.
According to Buffalo Trace, this 125-proof rye has aromas of vanilla, clove, citrus, and smoky oak. The brand claims the whiskey provides drinkers with a rich sipping experience and recommends enjoying it on its own.
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