We’re heading into the final stretch of 2025, but the whiskey world shows no sign of slowing down in terms of releases. The best whiskeys that dropped this week feature selections from Barrell Craft, Ole Smoky, Benriach, and more. This involves a mixture of extended-age expressions, milestone offerings, and whiskies that celebrate important ingredients in the production process.
Read on for the best whiskeys that dropped December 5.
Dovetail Toasted by Barrell Craft
On Dec. 1, Robb Report shared the news that Barrell Craft dropped a toasted barrel finish whiskey within its Black Label Series: Dovetail Toasted. A bottle has a suggested price of $200.
With a cask strength of 123.8 proof, this whiskey spends a 33-month secondary maturation period in toasted American oak. It is a blend of whiskeys distilled in Indiana and Tennessee. For the Dovetail releases, this blend of juice typically spends time finishing in rum, port and Cabernet Sauvignon barrels from Dunn Vineyards, yet this release has a secondary maturation period in those toasted oak barrels.
The brand claims it has a layered palate, with caramelized sugar, warm spices and oak.
31 Year Old Speyside Single Malt by Benriach
The Whiskey Wash reported on Dec. 1 that Benriach is releasing a 31-year-old single malt scotch whisky that was distilled in 1994. According to the Brown-Forman-owned brand, it showcases a “sweeter style of smoky whisky.”
For this release, Benriach partnered with generative artist Stefano Contiero to create the packaging, and it marks the first release within the brand’s Shades of Smoke Collection.
Master Blender Rachel Barrie shared some very descriptive tasting notes about this release, and urged drinkers to imagine themselves “indulging in chocolate clouds spiked with hibiscus and spiced orange caramel — all enveloped in the gentle, sophisticated whisper of Speyside smoke.”
The release clocks in at 48.1% ABV and has a suggested price of $932.
Highgrove Evergreen English Whiskey by Cotswolds Distillery
Fred Minnick reported on Dec. 1 that Highgrove and Cotswolds Distillery unveiled Highgrove Evergreen English Whisky. This whisky features a traditional variety of barley grown at the Highgrove Estate, known as Plumage Archer.
The outlet reports that the whisky spent time maturing in a mixture of Bourbon and STR red wine barrels. The artwork on the packaging depicts a painting done by King Charles III in 1995.
This English whisky has a suggested price of $133.40 and an ABV of 46%.
Noir Trilogy by Holyrood Distillery
Whisky Monkeys reported on Dec. 3 that Holyrood Distillery dropped three whiskies paying homage to what might just be one of the unsung heroes of the whisky and winemaking processes: yeast. These three whiskies feature yeast strains used to make wine in Bordeaux and Burgundy. The third strain is used for sparkling wines.
Holyrood Noir Burgundy Yeast features a mixture of 60% Pinnacle M and 40% Maurvin B yeast. It spent time aging in ex-bourbon casks followed by Burgundy barriques to amplify the profile, before the team bottled it at 47.4% ABV. The brand cites a red fruit characteristic, coupled with pastry.
Hollywood Premier Cru Yeast features yeast used in sparkling wine production. It involves a mixture of Pinnacle M and Maurvin yeast (60/40.) The whisky matured in a blend of ex-bourbon, Chardonnay and white wine casks before the team bottled it 47.2% ABV. According to Whisky Monkeys, this dram possesses buttercup and pear flavors.
The final expression, Holyrood Noir Bordeaux Yeast, is composed of 60% Pinnacle M yeast and 40% BP725 yeast. In true celebration of Bordeaux wines, the whisky spent time maturing in a combination of ex-bourbon and Bordeaux barriques before the team bottled it at 47.1% ABV. The brand shares that it features signature Bordeaux wine flavors, like blackcurrants.
All expressions feature a suggested price of $76.
Tennessee Bourbon by Ole Smoky
Ole Smoky, a brand known for its flavored moonshines, is wading into new waters, according to Fred Minnick. This milestone release is pretty significant for the brand, earning it a spot on our best whiskeys list for the week.
The outlet reported on Dec. 3 that the whiskey brand released a Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey with a modest suggested price of $24.99.
The four-year-old barrel-aged expression is set to hit shelves throughout December. According to Fred Minnick, the release “marks a significant milestone” for the brand, as it usually specializes in moonshine.
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