It’s been an iconic week of whiskey releases, with some spectacular offerings from Heaven Hill that Old Fitzerald fans have been waiting with bated breath for. Some of these whiskies are even loved by Hollywood royalty, like the legendary “Indiana Jones” star, Harrison Ford. Some pay homage to historical figures of the past, and some signify new beginnings for storied whisky brands.
Read on to check out the best drams that dropped the week of August 15.
The Altus by Glenmorangie
Men’s Journal reported that Glenmorangie unveiled a 25-year-old single malt on August 12. This release was the brainchild of the “Einstein of Scotch Whisky,” Dr. Bill Lumsden. The dram is a marriage of Bourbon cask-aged spirit that’s spent time finishing in Malmsey Madeira wine casks. It clocks in at 43% ABV.
The whisky is priced at $750, and it has its share of fans — including “Indiana Jones” star, Harrison Ford. Ford starred in Glenmorangie’s campaign called “Once Upon a Time in Scotland” and appeared alongside members of the Glenmorangie team. During filming of the campaign, he expressed appreciation for the whisky.
The Altus possesses a floral bouquet, according to The Glenmorangie. With aromas of vanilla, almond and toffee, the rich bouquet segues to a palate loaded with pears, peaches, gooseberry tart and yellow plum. The finish is full of butter candy, marzipan and ripe banana.
12 Year Old Single Malt by Glen Scotia
Campbeltown is one of those tiny Scotch regions that’s on the up and up. Brands like Glen Scotia happen to be leading the charge. On August 13, The Spirits Business reported that Glen Scotia unveiled a new permanent whiskey in its core portfolio. The release occupies a spot that’s been missing in the core portfolio: a 12-year-old single malt. The portfolio already has a 10-, 15-, 18-, and 25-year-old expression.
The brand shared that this scotch whisky has a coastal vibe, with aromas of ocean air and vanilla interlaced with tropical fruit on the nose. The pour features citrus and flamed pineapple coupled with a warm finish that offers up baking spice.
The scotch whisky spent its tenure aging to perfection in first-fill Bourbon casks. The whisky clocks in at 6% ABV and features a suggested price of $61.
25 and 30 Year Old Single Malts by The Glenturret
The Glenturret dropped its eight core whiskies for 2025. Though that’s exciting news in and of itself, there are two expressions that we have on our radar: a 25-year and a 30-year scotch whisky. The Whiskey Wash reported that the oldest working distillery in Scotland announced the news on August 12.
Just 50 bottles of the 30-year-old single malt exist, and 210 bottles of the 25-year-old expression exist. Some of the core expressions include The Glenturret’s Triple Wood, the ultimate releases of the peated 7 Year Old and 10 Year Old Peat Smoked. Other whiskies include The Glenturret’s 12 Years Old, 14 Years Old Peat Smoked and its 15 Year Old Scotch whisky. The following selections feature a range of prices, with the lowest price point at $84.
The Glenturret’s extended-age 30-year-old whisky spends time maturing in European oak and features a price of $2,840. The 25-Year-Old Cask possesses a blend of liquid sourced from three sherry casks composed of European oak. It is priced at $1,722.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond 11 Year VVS 2025 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Heaven Hill
On August 12, Fred Minnick reported that there was some very exciting news for Old Fitzgerald fans from Heaven Hill. The fourth Old Fitzgerald VVS expression is hitting the shelves. VVS stands for “very very special,” and this year’s release appears to be exactly that.
Heaven Hill’s highly coveted VVS release marks the fourth within the history of the brand, and this offering follows 2024’s critically lauded release. This particular whiskey was chosen from Heaven Hill’s rickhouses by Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. O’Driscoll chose a liquid distilled from a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley. O’Driscoll shared with each VVS release, he carefully selects whiskeys with casks that have a distinctive flavor profile.
This year’s release features a suggested price of $169.99. Every 750 ml bottle of VVS features a burgundy label, indicating that every bottle is extremely limited.
Doc Holiday Series from The World Whiskey Society
Fred Minnick reported on August 13 that the World Whiskey Society (WWS) is launching an entire series devoted to the legendary gunslinger Doc Holliday. The whiskey series comprises four releases, with two aged in Oloroso Sherry Casks and two aged in Armagnac casks. The whiskeys feature 8-year and 13-year age statements.
According to The World Whiskey Society, this is the first time the brand is venturing into cask finishes for its Doc Holliday whiskeys. The World Whiskey Society shares that the 8-year-old bourbon finished in Armagnac casks features an aroma of vanilla, with tree fruits like apricots. Its 8-year-old sibling finished in Oloroso casks features a distinctive nuttiness, imparted from the brand’s choice of finishing casks.
World Whiskey Society’s 13-year bourbon in its Armagnac cask is full of butter, apricots and grapes. The palate is full of raspberries and the finish hosts a slight vegetal quality. As for the brand’s 13-year Oloroso-aged expression, the whiskey features a nose of red berries, peppercorns and a palate loaded with dry cherries.
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