We can say without a doubt that some real bangers dropped this week as far as whiskeys are concerned. The best whiskey releases the week of July 25th included some blasts from the past brought back by popular demand and the oldest single malt scotch in the world.
Cult-favorite expressions from Knob Creek and Old Forester have returned with a vengeance, and fans of these popular whiskeys will be super excited to hear that they have another chance at getting their hands on a bottle. And for all the aspiring bartenders out there — another stellar offering from Sazerac released this time with cocktail enthusiasts in mind.
85 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail Whisky from Glenlivet
The Spirits Business reported on July 22 that the bottler, Gordon & MacPhail, will drop the “world’s oldest” single malt scotch. The release is from Glenlivet, and it clocks in at 85 years old. The liquid dates back to February 3, 1940, in an American oak cask. The team at Gordon & MacPhail drew it on February 5 and filled 125 bottles. The ABV clocks in at 43.7%.
The very first bottle will hit the hammer at Christie’s New York in November, and the outlet reported that some of the proceeds raised from the auction will be donated to American Forest conservation.
To amp up the prestige of this whisky, the juice rests in a decanter designed by Jeanne Gang, an American architect who specializes in designs of urban centers like Chicago. Though we don’t know much about the details of the decanter, we can expect to find out more in October.
Bourbon X Rye Blended Whiskey by Knob Creek & Jim Beam
The Robb Report shared on July 21 that Jim Beam brought back its widely popular Bourbon and Rye whiskey blend — or its Bourye. This marks the return of Knob Creek’s Bourbon X Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey about a year after it first dropped.
The outlet additionally reports that the recipe is exactly the same as last year’s release, with a ratio of 70/30 rye to bourbon. The final bottle clocks in at 113 proof and hosts a suggested retail price of $45.
Knob Creek shares this year’s release is a silken combination of vanilla and caramel, with a crack of pepper punctuating the pour.
Single Estate Nevada Straight Rye Whiskey by Minden Mill
Minden Mill announced that it was dropping a Single Estate Rye Whiskey on July 21, and the focus here is all about balance. This whiskey clocks in at 94 proof and the distillate features a mashbill of locally-grown grains. The mashbill is a distinctive blend of 80% rye, 10% soft winter white wheat and 10% estate-grown malted barley. The brand shares that the dramatic temperature shifts over the 90-day growing season yield a nutty and earthy whiskey.
After the distillation process, it spent time aging in Seguin Moreau New American and French Oak barrels with a #3 char. Minden Mill cut this whiskey to proof by using snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This whiskey has a suggested retail price of $45.
Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan shares that this rye whiskey is not a spice bomb by any stretch of the imagination.
“It’s far more savory and balanced than what most people expect,” O’Sullivan shares. “This mash bill was designed to highlight the candied orange peel character that is our house style.”
The 117 Series: 1910 Extra Extra Old by Old Forester
It’s been an impressive week for re-releases, and we would be remiss if we didn’t include Old Forester’s 1910 Extra Extra Old from the brand’s 117 Series, which made headlines at One More Dram on July 17. 1910 Extra Extra Old initially dropped in December 2022, and the brand decided to bring this fan favorite back.
For this release, Old Forester takes its 1910 Old Fine Whisky then ages it for 24 months in an additional barrel, earning it the moniker “Extra Extra Old.” Housed in a 375 mL bottle, Extra Extra Old hosts a suggested retail price of $64.99.
The nose on this whiskey bursts forth with sticky toffee pudding and hazelnuts. On the palate, Old Forester claims the pour offers up sweet almonds, toast and baking spices. The conclusion features chocolate and warm cinnamon.
100-Proof Rye Whiskey by Sazerac
Sazerac announced the release of a 100 proof rye whiskey bottled in a 1 L format on July 21. The whiskey features a suggested retail price of $29.99.
The larger-format whiskey meets the needs of bartenders and cocktail fans alike. The brand shares that the higher proof makes it perfect for cocktails, like the Sazerac or Manhattan. Buffalo Trace shares that the bold and peppery flavor of this whiskey complements the slight bump in proof. Sazerac 100 Proof has aromas of clove, vanilla and pepper.
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