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With Thanksgiving just around the corner – and the winter holidays approaching – ’tis the season for both giving and entertaining. In both respects, artfully crafted whiskey serves as the ideal holiday accessory. Here, we spotlight 10 new releases that are sure to take your holiday celebrations to the next level and put whiskey lovers on your shopping list.
EH Taylor Bottled Bourbon in Bonds$150
While not made to the same recipe as EH Taylor’s small batch bourbon, this new addition to Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection lives up to many of the same expectations ingrained in this entry-level whiskey. Made from a sour mash recipe, EH Taylor Bottled-in-Bond has spent over 15 years in charred new American oak and is bottled at 100 proof. Characterized by notes of warm vanilla, oak spice and subtle maple sweetness, the whiskey is not significantly complex, but that is not a small matter. It is accessible, elegant and delightfully smooth. (It just won’t be easy to find, especially given the MSRP.)
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye, $150
When comparing the two rye whiskeys included in Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac impresses the most for the second year in a row. If you have had the chance to taste this expression in recent years, you will notice a continued progression and subtle evolution in the way the flavors are presented. More specifically, those flavors have deepened and lean more toward stewed fruit with dried figs and honey. Comprised of uncut whiskeys aged for more than six years, Thomas H. Handy delivers lively oak character and plenty of the rye grain’s signature spiciness, though it is well balanced. This is the spice lover’s rye whiskey in this year’s Antique Collection.
Japanese Single Malt whiskey from Fuji$100
Make a perfect old-fashioned cocktail with this simple recipe
By means of:
Jessica Marksbury
The popularity of Japanese whiskey continues to steadily rise, which partly explains why Fuji Whiskey recently introduced a new single malt as part of its core range in the United States. Delicate and fruity on the nose, with pronounced aromas of apples and apricots, lightly glazed in floral-scented honey, this single malt delivers similar fruit notes on the palate, although they alternate with a creamy mouthfeel, adding a unique layer.
Tamdhu 21 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey, $400
This Speyside distillery may not be a household name, but it’s sure to delight all who discover it. Like many of the producers in the northern region of Scotland, Tamdhu relies on sherry casks for maturation, which lends a savory sweetness (think sun-dried tomatoes). New to the American market, the distillery’s 21-year-old single malt is pleasantly heavy and rich, and packed with spices. Unlike some Speyside Scotch whiskies, which can sometimes lean a little too sweet, this well-matured expression is equally balanced by a savory character that sets it apart from the crowd.
Wolfcraig 35 year old blended grain whisky$600
If you’re not familiar with the name Wolfcraig, this is all you need to know: the brand was founded by two of Scotland’s most respected master blenders, Richard Patterson (of Dalmore fame) and Ian Macmillan (known for his work at Burn Stewart Distillers for almost 25 years). One of the duo’s most intriguing new products, a 35-year blended grain whiskey, is mind-boggling in the best possible way. Soft on the palate but unctuous on the palate, this elegant spirit introduces plenty of baking spice character – particularly dark brown sugar and cardamom – although aromas of toasted cereal creep in from time to time. It is a whiskey that slowly reveals itself over time.
Compass Box Brulee Royale Blended Scotch$160
To create a whiskey that reflects the distinctive character of an expertly crafted crème brulee, Compass Box – one of Scotland’s leading producers of blended Scotch whiskey – has worked closely with Independent Stave Co., a Missouri-based cooperage, to produce toasted and charred white oak barrels that bring out those specific flavors and aromas. Lush and buttery, with underlying hints of vanilla and burnt honey, Brulee Royale is aptly named. A hint of pepper on the palate prevents the spirit from becoming too cloying, while faint fruit notes (roasted peaches and banana) add extra layers of complexity.
Eagle Rare 12 years, $50
It wasn’t long ago that the threat of a looming bourbon shortage caused Kentucky distilleries to increase production and turn in as much fresh inventory as possible. Now, years later, consumer demand has finally weakened – at least a little – and with more mature bourbon to work with, some brands are introducing new products. Case in point: Buffalo Trace just released Eagle Rare 12 Year. Those familiar with the flavors and aromas of the brand’s flagship 10 Years will be pleased with the way they matured in barrel after a further two years. The prominent notes of cherry cola and caramel are softer around the edges; and while there is still a hint of spice, that too has mellowed – all despite the fact that the bourbon has become even stronger at 2.5 percent alcohol.
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Remix$100
Independent bottler Lost Lantern has just launched its new collection of limited releases, one aimed at Scottish enthusiasts. The centerpiece of the collection is a ‘remix’ of the brand’s original barrel-aged American whiskey – the broadest blend of American single malts ever created (the recipe includes whiskeys from 11 distilleries across eight states). Notes of dark chocolate and roasted grains shine on the nose, while a similar chocolate character (more cocoa-like) dances on the palate. Indulgent and almost creamy, this second installment of the American Vatted Malt brands is a unique take on single malt whiskey, one that emphasizes the grain over the influence of the barrel.
Westland Garryana 10 years$150
Ten years ago, Westland released its first single malt in Seattle, partially aged in Quercus garryana, a rare species of American oak found only in the Pacific Northwest. Since then, the distillery has released new expressions of this experimental whiskey every year, with the most recent example featuring an age statement for the first time. The resulting spirit, Garryanna 10 Year, is made from a complex recipe of numerous varieties of malted barley and contains a blend of whiskeys matured in first and second fill Garryana oak casks, as well as ex-sherry, rum and bourbon casks. All this creates a whiskey that smells powerfully of baking spices and ripe fruit, yet is lighter in body and combines fruit and herbal flavors with a hint of floral sweetness.
WhistlePig 30 years of single malt$5,000
Continuing WhistlePig’s trend of creating American whiskeys finished in unique barrels, the Vermont brand’s latest creation, The BigSheBang, is a 30-year-old single malt finished in barrels that once held Vin Santo, a rare Italian dessert wine made in remarkably small batches. Soft on the palate, the whiskey shows a prominent oak spiciness, which is somewhat disguised by the red fruit notes imprinted by the wine barrels. This is a unique donation, one that fans of the unusual will enjoy, but it is unlikely to be a universal crowd pleaser. Especially considering its price, The BigSheBang is destined to satisfy those who want something unique and are willing to pay a premium for it.
#intriguing #whiskeys #give #enjoy #holiday #season