It’s hard to believe we are nearly halfway through 2025, and some of the whiskeys that released the first week of June prove that it is going to be a red hot month! This week’s list features offerings from sleeper brands like 15 Stars and true icons like Old Forester. Read on to see the best whiskeys that released the week of June 6.
Founder’s Reserve Fine Aged Rye by 15 Stars
Sleeper brand 15 Stars has been making quite the splash with its highly-rated, distinctive releases like this blend of rare rye whiskeys with 14-, 13-, 9-, and 8-year age statements. Fred Minnick announced the release on June 3, and it includes a blend of whiskeys sourced from Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky.
Founder’s Reserve clocks in at a relatively modest 95 proof, and has a suggested retail price of $139. 15 Stars touts this whiskey’s vanilla and cigar-driven aroma, coupled with a palate full of orchard fruits and delicately sweet mint. The conclusion of this delicate yet racy rye is full of cherry, licorice and tobacco.
Those interested in picking up a bottle can purchase it directly from 15 Stars or specialized retailers.
Garavogue 20 Year Old Irish Single Malt by Hawk’s Rock Distillery
Sazerac shared the first drop from Hawk’s Rock Distillery, which opened in late April. This distinctive expression takes its name from the Garavogue River, which flows by the distillery. The release hosts a suggested retail price of $199 for a 700 ml bottle and clocks in at 47% ABV. The team at Hawk’s Rock double-distilled this whiskey before the liquid spent time maturing in a cornucopia of distinctive casks.
Hawk’s Rock’s Garavogue Irish whiskey spent time aging for 14 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks, and then spent some time finishing in French Sauternes, Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Barbadian Rum and French Muscat casks.
The Hawk’s Rock team shares that this wildly matured release features aromas of orchard fruit and spun sugar from the Sauternes casks, coupled with a palate full of ripe apples and fruit from the rum casks. The finish on this pour is plenty sweet, and leaves an impression.
President’s Choice Bourbon and Rye by Old Forester
Food & Wine reported that Old Forester dropped its highly coveted President’s Choice bourbon and rye on June 5. This news was significant for two reasons: it’s the first time President’s Choice Bourbon is available outside of Kentucky, and the brand dropped its inaugural rye whiskey expression within the collection.
The outlet reported that President’s Choice Bourbon ages in barrel from seven to 12 years on average. Old Forester shared that those interested in future releases of both the bourbon and rye can expect to see age statements from somewhere between seven and nine years in the future. For these releases, the Old Forester team assesses thousands of barrels within its stocks, and chooses them based on optimal proof point.
The whiskeys typically clock in somewhere between 55% and 62.5% ABV.
18-Year-Old Bourbon by Redemption Whiskey
Redemption Whiskey added another installment to its Ancients Series Collection on June 5, with the release of its 18-Year-Old Bourbon. This limited release has a suggested retail price of $399.99 and joins Redemption’s 36-Year-Old Bourbon and 18-Year-Old Rye.
Redemption Whiskey specializes in rye whiskeys and champions the rye renaissance. The brand’s Ancients Series marks a departure from Redemption’s ethos, and focuses on extended-age whiskeys. The team shares that the nose on this whiskey bursts forth with cherry jam and cinnamon. The palate offers up vanilla, leather, and sweet corn. The finish of this whiskey is full of oak and has a slight kiss of cherry.
Redemption 18-Year-Old Bourbon clocks in at 103.4 proof, and just 2,400 bottles are available for purchase.
Small Batch 107 by Yellowstone Bourbon
Fred Minnick reported that Yellowstone Bourbon dropped this vintage-themed release within the brand’s core portfolio on June 2. The reason why we use the word “vintage?” Well, that’s a bit of a story.
Interestingly enough, Yellowstone’s Master Distiller and Founder Stephen Beam shared that the brand was the “top selling whiskey” in Kentucky back in the 1960s. During that time it was bottled at six years of age and clocked in at 107 proof. This whiskey is an exact replica of that, and is non-chill filtered because of its hefty proof.
With a price of $44.99 for a 750 ml bottle, the brand highly recommends using this whiskey in your favorite cocktail.
No responses yet