It’s hard to believe that 2025 is almost over. Undoubtedly, it was a challenging year for the whiskey industry, yet the bright spots were the creative and interesting whiskey releases that rolled out every week.
The best whiskeys released this week include a mix of big-name brands and smaller craft distilleries. There’s truly something for everyone as we close out the year with this week’s list.
Cinnamon Smoked Cask Single Malt by Archie Rose
Australian Distillery Archie Rose unveiled the latest release within its Smoked Cask Series on Dec. 17, according to The Spirits Business. The outlet reported that the Australian single malt was aged in a barrel where the cinnamon was smoked in such a way that it didn’t burn.
Archie Rose shares that this is a “first-of-its-kind” Australian technique, and the whisky offers up a distinctive interpretation of smoke. According to the brand, the release possesses notes of carrot cake and raisin toast.
Just 495 bottles of this limited whisky exist. It clocks in at 51.9% ABV and retails for $132.
Phyllis Vermont Rye by Caledonia Spirits
Fred Minnick reported on Dec. 15 that Caledonia Spirits, the company behind the famous honey-imbued Barr Hill Gin, is entering the whiskey space. The spirits company dropped Phyllis Vermont Rye Whiskey, which is the brand’s first core whiskey within its portfolio.
The mashbill is composed of 84% Winter Rye and 16% barley. It clocks in at a modest 93 proof and has a suggested retail price of $55. According to Caledonia Spirits, the rye was carefully chosen because of its ability to handle the Northeast’s cooler climate and its ability to reduce erosion.
The brand claims that Winter Rye possesses a robust and peppery flavor, and lends aromas of vanilla and baking spice to the spirit.
Old Fitzgerald Fall 2025 by Heaven Hill
On Dec. 15, Robb Report announced that Heaven Hill dropped the Fall 2025 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond. This whiskey has quite the pedigree attached to it, and the Old Fitzgerald name originated in the 1800s. The production process for the whiskey took place at the Stitzel-Weller distillery — home of the famous Pappy Van Winkle — in the 1900s.
This bourbon originates from Heaven Hill’s wheated mashbill, with 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. This marks the 16th release within the Decanter Series, and it clocks in at 100 proof, in accordance with Bottled-In-Bond regulations. The whiskey is 11 years old, according to Heaven Hill.
According to the brand, it possesses a “bourbon sweetness” on the nose, coupled with leather, oak and warm baking spice interlaced with honey, butterscotch, plums, peaches, and figs.
Christmas Batch by Teeling Irish Whiskey
If you find yourself traveling this holiday season, more specifically are visiting the Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland, Teeling has a special holiday whiskey just for you. The Spirits Business reported on Dec. 17 that this Irish brand dropped its Christmas Batch, a whiskey that underwent a dual fermentation process, with a mixture of wine and distiller’s yeast.
The team finished the blend in three casks: port, red wine and sherry. The brand calls this whiskey the equivalent of “Christmas in a bottle,” and claims it possesses flavors of brown sugar, Christmas pudding, dried fruit and tannins. It clocks in at 46% ABV.
Teeling’s Christmas Batch costs approximately $49.
10-Yr Wheated Bourbon by Wilderness Trail
Fred Minnick reported on Dec. 12 that Wilderness Trail released a limited-edition 10-year Wheated Bourbon, meant to honor the 250th Anniversary of the Wilderness Road. The bourbon possesses a mashbill composed of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley. It is available at Wilderness Trail Distillery’s Visitor Center.
According to Fred Minnick, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Pat Heist shared that he hand-chose three 10-year-old barrels that stood out for their exceptional character. The resulting bourbon is balanced, with plenty of depth and maturity.
Heist claims that the bourbon has “incredible harmony” with “vivid sweetness” and a long finish.
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