Just because it’s Dry January for some folks out there doesn’t mean there aren’t some cool whiskeys coming out as we head into the beginning of 2026.
The best whiskeys that dropped this week are a pretty diverse bunch — we’ve even thrown in some rare collections and barrel pick experiences in the mix to shake things up. Read on to discover whiskies from India that break boundaries, experimental scotches and more as we head into the best whiskeys for the week of January 9.
Crazy Cock Indian Whisky Madhuca Heritage Editions by South Seas Distilleries
On Jan. 8, The Spirits Business reported that South Seas Distilleries, the brand behind India’s oldest single malt, dropped a new whisky series that achieved another first for the country — and even distilling at large.
Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt Madhuca Heritage Editions take the crown as the first selection of single malts with a Mahura cask finish. But what is Mahura, you ask? Mahura — or Mahua — is a spirit distilled from flowers from India’s Mahua Tree.
According to Crazy Cock, these whiskies are imbued with a distinctly floral and spice-driven quality from the Mahua. Three whiskies comprise the series: Madhuca I, Madhuca II, and Madhuca III. Madhuca I matured in a mixture of ex-Bourbon and ex-brandy casks, Madhuca II aged in a mixture of ex-Bourbon and ex-wine casks, and Madhuca III aged in ex-Bourbon casks. All three spent time finishing in Mahura casks and clock in at 42% ABV.
To learn more, visit Crazy Cock Indian Single Malt’s website, here.
13-Year-Old Moscatel Cask Whisky by Glenmorangie
On Jan. 7, The Spirits Business reported that Glenmorangie unveiled a 13-year-old whisky that spent time aging in Moscatel casks. The expression clocks in at 48.2% ABV and is the brainchild of the visionary Dr. Bill Lumsden.
According to The Spirits Business, Lumsden owned a secret stash of Moscatel casks that the team originally distilled in 2009. These experimental casks existed because of the test program for the brand’s famously dessert-driven dram, Nectar d’Or. The Glenmorangie Master Distiller decided to mess around with this batch and put the liquid in the Moscatel casks for seven years, which makes the whisky almost 16 years of age.
The limited experimental release hosts a price of $101, and according to the brand has aromas of chocolate orange, baked apple, dark spice and strawberry cream. This expression is available solely via The Whisky Club in Australia and New Zealand.
25-Year-Old Rye by Lock Stock & Barrel
The Manual reported on Jan. 7 that Lock Stock & Barrel unveiled a 25-year-old straight rye whiskey. This makes it one of the oldest rye whiskeys on the market. Just 250 bottles exist, and this is a blend of hand-chosen barrels dates back to 1999.
With a mashbill of 100% Alberta-grown rye, this whisky clocks in at 111 proof. It spent time aging in charred American oak barrels. According to The Manual, it opens with a mix of baking spice and chocolate, coupled with a toffee pudding drizzle. It finishes with a smokey rye spice aroma.
This whisky possesses a suggested price of $999.99.
Anniversary Malt Whiskies by The Macallan
On Jan. 5, Fred Minnick reported on a particularly rare release that fans of The Macallan and collectors everywhere should know about. The collection from the legendary Speyside distillery features over 19 bottles. A private collector named Danielle “Dany” Smeyers put it together.
Smeyers spent over two decades curating the set after she visited Scotland in the 1990s. She claims that she didn’t have any aim to put a collection together in mind, she
“just fell in love with the Macallan,” and purchased The Macallan’s Anniversary Malt.
The releases within the series were sourced during Smeyers’ road trips in Europe. For her, building the collection was all about “the hunt.” The whiskies will be available through Mark Littler Ltd., and the asking price for the collection of the set is £110,000. ($147,444.) Each bottle of Macallan Anniversary Malt has an “excellent” fill level and features its presentation box. Littler shared that he had never seen a complete set of Macallan Anniversary Malts up for sale.
Single Barrel Malted Rye Experience by New Riff
Fred Minnick reported on Jan. 7 that New Riff Distilling shared that it would expand some of the whiskeys within its Single Barrel Experience and offer up an inaugural expression of its Malted Rye single barrel for barrel picks.
According to the brand’s Chief Sales Officer Rawnica Dillingham, fans of the brand have been clamoring for its Malted Rye for quite some time. Now, private Single Barrel Customers and members of the trade can pick out a barrel of this award-winning rye as part of the experience.
Fred Minnick reports that the Single Barrel Selection Experience features a tour of the distillery, the tasting and bottling hall, and a “post-pick stop” at The Aquifer room.
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