It’s hard to believe we’re one week away from the beginning of May and these five offerings from Breckenridge, BHATKA Spirits, TX Whiskey and more were the best whiskey releases that made headlines this week.
Many of these offerings stood out with distinctive cask finishes. Armagnac and cognac lovers should pay attention — quite a few releases within this week’s selection are definitely worth checking out.
BHATKA 2011 Bourbon by BHATKA Spirits
Fred Minnick announced on April 22 that BHATKA released its oldest bourbon yet, which was distilled in 2011 in Tennessee. BHATKA 2011 Bourbon underwent one heck of a finishing process with the BHATKA-GRISWOLD Spirits Library, and the liquid went through vertical, single-vintage Armagnac casks pulled from the 1970’s and 1980s.
Raj Peter Bhatka, spirits veteran and founder of none other than WhistlePig Whiskey founded BHATKA Spirits. After parting ways with WhistlePig, Bhatka took an adventure to Condom, France, where he found and purchased a cellar of antique Armagnac, with offerings that date to 1868. The BHATKA brand marries rye whiskey with Armagnac and is a liquid nod to the rare and obscure.
As far as the brand’s latest release, there’s a personal touch regarding this whiskey’s finishing process. One of the casks was pulled from BHATKA’s 1975 Armagnac, which marks this year’s Golden Anniversary Milestone and happens to be the vintage of Founder Raj Peter Bhatka’s birth. The liquid clocks in at 111 proof and has an age statement of 12 years and 10 months. This rare release from BHATKA hails from just 11 barrels, making it a special offering indeed.
Breckenridge Cognac Cask Finish by Breckenridge Distillery
Colorado’s Breckenridge Distillery revealed on April 23 that it was bringing back the critically acclaimed whiskey, Breckenridge Cognac Cask Finish. The whiskey initially launched in 2022, as part of the second Collector’s Art Series release, but due to popular demand, the brand will roll it out throughout the United States within the next few months.
Breckinridge’s Cognac Cask Finish Whiskey clocks in at 96 proof and possesses a modest price of $59.99. As far as scores go, Breckenridge shares that it was a hit with the critics, and this limited-edition release won a double gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Breckenridge shares that this whiskey bursts forth with apple aromas, coupled with caramel and spice.
Breckenridge breaks the record for the highest distillery in the world and it sits nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The brand celebrates this distinctive geographical landmark by incorporating water drawn from the mountains into its whiskeys. Breckenridge claims it rose to prominence with the release of its high-rye mash blended bourbon whiskey.
Minden Mill American Single Malt by Minden Mill Distilling
Minden Mill’s mission involves paving the way for estate American single malt whiskeys, and this latest release pushes that needle one step further. Fred Minnick covered this release on April 18, and the American Single Malt hosts a suggested retail price of $60.
Situated within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Minden Mill’s technologically advanced distillery focuses on capturing the terroir of the region. Minden Mill refers to itself as a “ground-to-glass” distillery. This particular whiskey features a mashbill of estate-grown malted barley. The brand uses water from Lake Tahoe, which is fed by snowpack from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
This American Single Malt spent time maturing in specifically calibrated rickhouses designed to replicate the temperature and humidity of Scotland. The liquid spent time aging in a mixture of Oloroso sherry, ex-bourbon and American oak casks. Minden Mill cites fruit interlaced with almonds aplenty in this pour.
Cask Strength Rye Whiskey by Sagamore Spirit
Maryland’s own Sagamore Spirit announced the drop of this cask strength rye whiskey on April 23. After spending seven years aging, it was bottled and released at a hefty 123 proof. This rye whiskey, like many of Sagamore’s offerings, celebrates Maryland’s distinctive rye whiskey heritage and honors its rich distilling history.
Sagamore’s Cask Strength Rye features a base of two different mashbills, a high-rye and low-rye mashbill. True to the style of Maryland rye whiskey, the liquid was triple-distilled. Priced at a modest $69.99, Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey will launch across the U.S. in May.
The brand shares that it has chocolate, hazelnut and molasses aromas, coupled with bright citrus.
Experimental Series Seven Year Anniversary Batch by TX Whiskey
Fort Worth Magazine reported on the release of TX Whiskey’s Experimental Series Seven Year Anniversary Batch on April 18. Just 1,700 bottles of this whiskey exist, and for a 350 ml bottle, expect to pay somewhere around $39.99 for it. This bottled-in-bond release clocks in at 100 proof per bottled-in-bond regulations.
According to the Robb Report, this bourbon marks the 12th release within TX Whiskey’s Experimental Series. It was distilled right when TX Whiskey got its column still, and spent time aging in new charred oak barrels.
TX Whiskey claims the release boasts aromas of roasted pecan and créme brûlée with dark cherries throughout.
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