Things are starting to pick up this week in terms of the best whiskey drops from brands large and small. This list consists of several eclectic selections, ranging from heavy-hitters in both the world of bourbon and scotch, to even — gasp — flavored releases.
The best whiskeys for the week of January 16 feature offerings from Glenlivet, Woodford, Rebel Bourbon, Wyoming Whiskey and the Taiwanese brand, Kavalan. Read on to learn more!
Small Batch Collection by Glenlivet
On January 14, The Spirits Business reported that The Glenlivet is bringing back its Small Batch Collection. Though the collection features the same age statements as the original: 17-,19-, and 20-year-old whiskies, this year’s focus is on flavor profiles. The whiskies host a price range that starts at $179 and tops out at $349.
The 17 Year Old whisky features the name “Glenlivet Wildflower Honey,” and according to the brand, it offers up bright orchard fruits like apples, coupled with florality and a sweet complexity.
The 19-year-old expression, dubbed “Indulgent Chocolate,” is a mixture of whiskies that spent time aging in a combination of first-fill American oak, sherry and ex-Scotch barrels. Just 3,936 bottles are available and the whisky features dark fruit, interlaced with spice.
The oldest whisky, “Orchard Fruitiness,” spent time aging in a mixture of second-fill ex-Scotch, first-fill American oak and second-fill American oak hogsheads. Just 2,736 bottles exist. As far as flavor and aroma profiles go, this whisky is described as a “syrupy and fruity experience,” by The Spirits Business.
Year of the Horse Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Gift Set by Kavalan
On Jan. 12, Kavalan announced the release of its lunar new year whisky: Year of the Horse Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt.
A 700 ml whisky bottle with packaging costs approximately $114.99, this whisky clocks in at 43% ABV. The spirit is Kavalan’s Triple Sherry Cask whisky and the brand houses it in packaging that celebrates this year’s Lunar New Year.
Kavalan shares that the whisky spent time maturing in a mixture of Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez, and Moscatel casks. The Taiwanese whisky offers up aromas of cinnamon, spice, oak, and rosemary. On the palate, Kavalan Triple Sherry Cask bursts forth with caramel and a honeyed sweetness. A mixture of chex cereal, tapioca, and kumquat are all interlaced throughout the finish.
Root Beer Whiskey by Rebel Bourbon
On Jan. 14, Fred Minnick reported that Rebel Bourbon’s Root Beer Whiskey is ready to return. This offering is liquid proof that bourbon doesn’t have to be so serious all the time.
This quirky flavored whiskey is an experimental riff on Rebel’s wheated bourbon. It clocks in at a modest 70 proof and costs approximately $19.99 for a 750 ml bottle. A smaller 50 ml bottle hosts a suggested price of $.99.
This whiskey has all the classic flavors root beer fans love, with sassafrass, licorice, molasses and vanilla. The bourbon interplays well with those rich, rootbeer flavors. According to Rebel Bourbon’s Brand Manager, Phillip Lux, the whiskey is “fun and tasty,” and it breaks all the rules.
Double Double Oaked Bourbon by Woodford
On Jan. 13, Woodford Reserve announced that the brand’s culty Woodford Double Double Oaked will be dropping from the distillery. The 90.4 proof whiskey hosts a suggested price of $199.99.
For this release, Woodford took its Double Oaked bourbon and had it spend another two years in a second new oak barrel that was heavily toasted and lightly charred. According to Woodford, this yields a spicier and bolder whiskey.
The brand’s Double Double Oaked expression features aromas of burnt marshmallow, sweet hickory smoke, brittle caramel and dark chocolate. Dried red fruits, like cherries and cranberries dominate the palate. It segues into a finish that is warm, with cloves.
Barrel Strength Bourbon #6429 by Wyoming Whiskey
Fred Minnick reported on Jan. 8 that Wyoming Whiskey unveiled Barrel Strength #6429. This bourbon was chosen from some of the best barrels from Wyoming Whiskey’s warehouses. It is bottled at a barrel proof of a robust 124, enhancing flavor.
Barrel Strength Bourbon has a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley. The brand shares that temperature shifts in the Big Horn Basin yield an extracted bourbon with a mix of flavor profiles.
“This is the true test of the spirit, and as pure as bourbon making and whiskey-drinking can be,” Wyoming Whiskey claimed about the release.
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