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With Thanksgiving just around the corner—and the winter holidays in close pursuit—’tis the season for giving and entertaining. In both respects, expertly crafted whiskey acts as the ideal holiday accessory. Here, we shine the spotlight on 10 new releases that are sure to elevate your holiday parties and excite the whiskey lovers on your shopping list.
EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon150 dollars
While not made from the same recipe as EH Taylor’s petite bourbon, this new addition to Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection offers many of the same expectations that entry-level whiskey instilled. Created from a mash and sour recipe, EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond spent more than 15 years in new American charred oak and is bottled in 100 proofs. Characterized by notes of warm vanilla, oak spice and subtle maple sweetness, the whiskey is not overly complex, but that’s no small feat. It’s accessible, stylish and delightful. (It just won’t be easy to find, especially at the suggested retail price.)
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye, $150
Comparing two rye whiskeys that are included in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac impresses for the second year in a row. If you’ve had the chance to taste this expression over the past few years, you’ll notice a steady progression and subtle evolution in how its flavors are presented. More specifically, those flavors have deepened, leaning more towards poached fruit with dried figs and honey. Composed of still whiskeys that have been aged for more than six years, Thomas H. Handy delivers lively oak character and plenty of spicy rye grain notes, while being well balanced. This is the spice lovers rye whiskey in this year’s Antique Collection.
Japanese Fuji Single Malt Whisky100 dollars
The popularity of Japanese whiskey continues to grow steadily, which partly explains why Fuji Whiskey recently introduced a new single malt as part of its flagship lineup in the United States. Delicate and fruity on the nose, with prominent aromas of apples and apricots lightly glazed in floral honey, this single malt delivers similar fruity notes on the palate, though they are met with a creamy mouthfeel that adds a unique layer.
Tamdhu 21 Year Old Single Malt Scotch, $400
This Speyside distillery may not be a household name, but it’s sure to please everyone who discovers it. Like many of the producers in that northern region of Scotland, Tamdhu relies on sherry casks for its maturation, which imparts a pleasant sweetness (think sundried tomatoes). New to the US market, the 21-year-old single malt is exceptionally heavy and rich, and packed with spice. Unlike some Speyside Scotch whiskies, which can sometimes be a little too sweet, this well-aged expression is equally balanced by a savory character that sets it apart from the masses.
Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Blended Wheat Whisky600 dollars
If you’re not familiar with the name Wolfcraig, here’s all you need to know: the brand was founded by two of Scotland’s most respected blenders, Richard Patterson (of Dalmore fame) and Ian Macmillan (known for his work with Burn Stewart Distillers for nearly 25 years). One of the duo’s most intriguing new products, a 35-year-old blended grain whiskey, is surprising in the best possible way. Smooth on the palate, but not overpowering, this elegant brew presents plenty of baking spice character—especially dark brown sugar and cardamom—though hints of toasted grain come through occasionally. It is a whiskey that slowly reveals itself over time.
Compass Box Brulee Royale Scotch Blend160 dollars
To create a whiskey that echoes all the distinctive character of an expertly crafted crème brulee, Compass Box—one of Scotland’s leading blended Scotch whiskey producers—worked closely with Independent Stave Co., a Missouri-based cooperative, to produce those toasty, charred white casks. Delicious and buttery, with underlying hints of vanilla and burnt honey, the Brulee Royale is aptly named. A touch of pepper on the back of the palate prevents the breath from being overly sweet, while faint fruit notes—ripe peaches and bananas—add additional layers of complexity.
Eagle Rare 12 Year, $50
It wasn’t that long ago that threats of an imminent bourbon shortage had Kentucky distilleries ramping up their production and laying on as much fresh stock as possible. Now, years later, consumer demand has finally mellowed — at least a little — and with more mature bourbon to work with, some brands are introducing new products. Case in point: Buffalo Trace has just released Eagle Rare 12 Year. Those familiar with the flavors and aromas of the brand’s 10 Year flagship will be pleased with how they matured after two more years in barrel. Prominent cherry and caramel notes are softer around the edges; and while there’s still a hint of present-day spice, that too has been toned down—all despite the fact that the bourbon has actually been fortified at 2.5 percent ABV.
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Remix100 dollars
Independent bottler Lost Lantern has just launched its new collection of limited releases, one aimed at Scotch lovers. The main star of the collection is a “remix” of the brand’s original American whiskey – the most extensive blend of American malts ever created (the recipe includes whiskey from 11 distilleries located in eight states). Dark chocolate and toasted grain notes shine through on the nose, while the chocolate-like character (more like cocoa) jumps on the palate. Smooth and almost creamy, this second installment of American Vatted Malt brands is a unique take on single malt whisky, one that emphasizes the cask influence.
Westland Garryana 10 years150 dollars
Ten years ago, Westland in Seattle released the first single malt partially aged in Quercus garryana, a rare species of American oak native only to the Pacific Northwest. Since then, the distillery has released new expressions of this experimental whiskey every year, with the latest example boasting an age statement for the first time. The resulting spirit, Garryanna 10 Year, is made from a complex recipe of multiple varieties of malted barley and contains a blend of whiskey matured in first and second fill garryanna oak casks, as well as ex-sherry, rum and bourbon casks. All of this creates a whiskey that smells boldly of baking spices and ripe fruit, but is lighter in body and blends those fruity and spicy flavors with a touch of floral sweetness.
WhistlePig 30 Year Single Malt5000 dollars
Continuing WhistlePig’s trend of producing unique cask-finished American whiskeys, the Vermont brand’s latest creation, The BigSheBang, is a 30-year-old single malt finished in the cask that once held Vin Santo, a rare Italian dessert wine that is produced in especially small batches. Smooth on the palate, the whiskey displays a prominent oak spice, which is somewhat overshadowed by the red fruit notes introduced by those wine casks. This is a unique pour, which will appeal to fans of the unusual, but is unlikely to be a universal crowd. Especially given its price point, BigSheBang is bound to please those who want something unique and are willing to pay a premium for it.
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