Besides all the news about tariffs throwing the whiskey world in turmoil, there was some positive news in the trades: it was quite a week for releases. These five expressions from Chicken Cock, 2XO, Chattanooga Whiskey, Jefferson’s Bourbon and Old Dominick were the best whiskey releases for the week of April 18.
The Vinyl Blend From 2XO by Dixon Dedman
Audiophiles should pay attention to 2XO Kentucky Straight Bourbon’s latest release: The Vinyl Blend. Critically-acclaimed Dixon Dedman is the founder of this brand, and The Vinyl Blend marks the sixth release within the brand’s “Icon Series.” The release dropped on April 11, and was meant to celebrate how Dedman used to listen to music growing up: on classic vinyl, with a glass of whiskey of course.
The Vinyl Blend is distilled from two mashbills, a high-rye and a moderate-rye mashbill. Dedman double barrels the high-rye mashbill in new #4 charred oak barrels from between 9 to 12 months, and it comprises 40% of the blend. The 104-proof bottle has a suggested retail price of $99.99, and 2XO claims the bourbon has floral aromatics, like honeysuckle, coupled with a fruiter palate of grilled pineapple.
Founder’s 13 Anniversary Blend From Chattanooga Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey unveiled its Founder’s 13th Anniversary Blend on April 16, according to Breaking Bourbon. The release celebrates the brand’s past, present and future with a blend of three solera-finished whiskeys. Folks local to the Tennessee area can pick it up at Chattanooga Whiskey’s Experimental Distillery, and it is set to be available for purchase online from the brand and at Seelbach’s within the next few weeks for the price of $59.99 a bottle.
The three-whiskey blend includes liquid that was sourced from barrel 1816 (23%) which honors the brand’s past, and features its original recipe that debuted in 2012. The second barrel that represents the present is Barrel 91 (58%,) and the recipe took two years to come to fruition. The final barrel is an Infinity Barrel (19%) and it is composed of a blend of malted and rye malted whiskeys, composed of five different mashbills. Each whiskey contributes a different profile to the final blend, with aromas of grilled peaches, toasted marshmallows, malted barley and a woody, lightly-spiced profile.
Ryeteous Blonde From Chicken Cock Whiskey
Beer enthusiasts rejoice! Chicken Cock decided to bring back its wildly popular rye whiskey finished in blonde ale barrels from Goodwood Brewing, a craft beer and spirits brand in Kentucky. The brand announced the news on April 14. Ryeteous Blonde will be officially available May 1, and each bottle of this lifted rye with summer in mind has a suggested retail price of $69.99.
Clocking in at 100 proof, Ryeteous Blonde is a “smooth, vibrant” whiskey, according to both brands. The time Chicken Cock’s rye spent finishing in Goodwood Brewing’s blonde ale barrels imparts this whiskey with a bright, malty sweetness. Picture aromas of orchard fruits like apple and pear, coupled with a spine of honeycomb.
Jefferson’s Reserve Limited Edition Cask Strength From Jefferson’s Bourbon
Fred Minnick reported on Monday, April 14, that Jefferson’s Bourbon Founder Trey Zoeller announced Jefferson’s Bourbon’s Cask Strength whiskey at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. The whiskey is quite possibly the highest-proof offering from the brand to date, and clocks in at a hefty 130 proof. The whiskey spent 8 years aging — making it a different whiskey from the ocean-aged offerings Jefferson typically releases.
Jefferson’s Bourbon shares the whiskey has a nose loaded with baked apple, vanilla and toasted oak. A bit of leather adds an animalistic edge to the nose. On the pour, picture bold red fruit coupled with vanilla, barrel spice and toasted almonds. The finish is warm, and the oak-driven spine dominates, leaving a lasting impression.
7 Year Single Barrel Wheat Whiskey From Old Dominick
The Spirits Business reported on April 11 that Old Dominick, a Tennessee whiskey brand that dates back to the 1840s, unveiled a seven-year-old single-barrel wheat whiskey. The whiskey has a mashbill composed of 83% wheat, 12% corn and 5% malted barley, and it spent time aging in West Tennessee white oak barrels.
Perhaps of even greater historical significance is the fact that this is the first wheat whiskey distilled in Memphis since Prohibition, according to Lead Distiller David Valentine. Old Dominick’s 7 Year Single Barrel Wheat Whiskey has a suggested retail price of somewhere between $60 and $70. The brand shared on its socials that the wheat whiskey has aromas of honey, butter and cinnamon and clocks in at “121-ish proof.”
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