The best whiskeys that dropped this week are from brands that you may have never heard of — and we like being able to champion them. During this volatile time in the spirits industry, it’s always good to support independent whiskeys, and we hope you’ll do exactly that after learning about some of the whiskeys on this week’s list.
From Tennessee brands inspired by the blues to whiskey brands honoring historic national parks, the best drams that dropped this week feature an eclectic list of under-the-radar brands worth knowing about!
Honey Rye Cask by Blue Note Bourbon
Fred Minnick reported on September 3 that Blue Note Bourbon was bringing back its crowd-favorite Honey Rye Cask. The honey barrel finished rye whiskey sold out quickly, so pick up a bottle if you like this buzzy release.
The Memphis-made whiskey features a mashbill composed of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It clocks in at a hefty 116.49 proof. It first spent time aging for three years before matured to completion in American oak, barrel-aged honey-infused casks. The whiskey features a price of $64.99.
13,000 bottles of this spicy rye exist with notes of wildflower honey drizzled in each sip. The bouquet is floral, with apricot and the stone fruit. A kiss of honey and flowers lingers on the finish. Those interested in picking up a bottle can visit Blue Note’s website here. The brand requests only 2 bottles per customer per order.
Octomore Series by Bruichladdich
Bruichladdich announced the drop of its 2025 Octomore Series on September 2. This year’s series will be the brand’s 16th. Bruichladdich shares as far as the level of peat in this notoriously-smoky series is concerned, it’s “sky-high.”
Octomore 16.1 features a mashbill of 100% Scottish Mainland Concerto Barley that was malted to 101.4PPM. It spent time aging in casks for five years in first-fill bourbon barrels until it reached an ABV of 59.3%ABV. It hosts a price of $204.99.
The second release involves the same distillate as 16.1 and it spent five years aging in a mixture of Oloroso and Bordeaux casks. After, it was transferred to Madeira and Portuguese Moscatel barrels for the finishing process. This caramelized and fruity whisky features a price of $244.99.
The final whiskey rocks a very high PPM of 189.5, and it clocks in at 61.6% ABV. It is composed of barley grown in Church Field on Octomore Farm, and spent time aging for five years in a mixture of Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks. It features a price of $279.99.
2025 Limited Edition Yellowstone Bourbon by Limestone Branch Distillery
On September 2, Limestone Branch announced that it was dropping its 2025 Yellowstone Limited Edition. This year’s release marks the 10th Anniversary of the series. The release involved a collaboration with none other than Ross & Squibb. Ross & Squibb produces the popular Remus Bourbon brand and Remus Gatsby Reserve, which all pay homage to the King of Bootleggers, George Remus.
For the 2025 Limited Edition Yellowstone Bourbon, Yellowstone’s Founder and Master Distiller Stephen Beam joined forces with the blending team at Ross & Squibb, choosing a mixture of barrels from Indiana and Kentucky. The final blend was distilled from three mashbills and aged for a decade before being bottled at 105 proof. Just 10,000 bottles are available
Each bottle hosts a suggested price of $99.99.
Provisions Bourbon by Milam & Greene
Milam & Greene announced that it was launching Provisions Bourbon, according to The Whiskey Wash on September 3. The Texas bourbon brand rose to prominence for spotlighting the effect climate has on aging whiskey. Typically its limited releases feature price ranges within the $50 to $60 range. Yet for this release, it went in a different direction.
Provisions keeps affordability in mind, and it hosts a suggested price of $34.99. Provisions is a mixture of pot-distilled whiskey from the brand’s facilities in Blanco, Texas and Kentucky bourbon that experiences a process called “Texification.” The Texification process is when the team moves barrels of Kentucky bourbon to Texas for extra aging.
Heather Greene described the bourbon as “born from Kentucky and transformed by Texas climate, but it’s not boxed in by cowboy tropes or clichés.” The brand describes the bourbon as slightly sweet, yet elegant and round.
Kurokabegura New Make Spirit by Takara Shuzo
The Spirits Business reported on September 3 that the owner of the Scotch whisky producer Tomatin, Takara Shuzo International, launched Kurokabegura a Japanese new make spirit bottled at 63% ABV. It hosts a suggested price of $46.
Tolmatin’s Managing Director, Stephen Bremner, shared with The Spirits Business that many whisky fans like to purchase new-make spirits to see how they will “evolve in the future.” As far as what he believed was in store for Kurokabegura, he shared that he thought it would “surprise and delight in equal measure.”
Kurokabegura boasts a sweet aroma, complemented by notes of banana and honey. The palate additionally features a malted quality, according to The Spirits Business.
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