New Booze News: Westland Distillery, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength, Glenfiddich Winter Storm and More!

Before our official reviews arrive, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of the new products hitting shelves soon. Westland Distillery has a trio of sideshow bottles to celebrate their upcoming Peat Week. Angel’s Envy is ready for this year’s Cask Strength Bourbon to hit shelves. Plus, winter is coming … Glenfiddich’s 21 Year Winter Storm, that is. Also, just in case you missed it, Buffalo Trace released their Antique Collection. All this and more in the Booze News for the week of September 18, 2017!

UNITED STATES

Westland Distillery Peat Week 2017 Commemorative Bottle

This is the fourth annual release celebrating Westland Distillery’s Peat Week, happening Monday, October 2nd through Saturday, October 7th, 2017. This year’s release celebrates the, “Peatiest Week on Earth,” with three sideshow bottles. There’s Mistress Miasma, The Vixen of Vapor; Phenostrus, The Demon of the Bog; and lastly Spinther, The Man of Fire.

Similarly to last year’s bottle, this year’s Peat Week bottling utilized heavily-peated distiller’s malt from Bairds. It was aged from 36-56 months in five new American oak and two ex-bourbon casks. Bottled at a cask strength of 54.4% ABV, this limited edition release yielded 1500 bottles. Available nationwide with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Westland Distillery Peat Week 2017 Commemorative Bottles / Photo Credit: Westland Distillery

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength (2017 Edition)

The 2017 Edition for Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Wine Casks comes in at 124.5 proof (62.25% ABV). It matured for up to seven years in new, charred American oak before finishing its time in former port wine casks for an additional 4-6 months. The proof varies each year as does the price. This year’s suggested retail price is $199.99 and it is available in select US markets beginning October 1st.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength (2017 Edition) / Photo Credit: Angel’s Envy

SCOTLAND

Glenfiddich Winter Storm 21 Year

Winter Storm is the third installment in Glenfiddich’s Experimental Collection, following IPA Experiment and Project XX. This 21 year-old single malt finishes its maturation for six months in French oak icewine casks from the Peller Estate in Niagara, Ontario. Icewine—also called eiswein—uses grapes frozen on the vine which concentrate the sugars creating a plush dessert wine.

Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman created this whisky after having toured the Peller Estate. He returned to Scotland and experimented with several whisky casks. “Only the rarer whiskies, those aged for 21 years, could cope with the extra icewine intensity,” said Kinsman.

“Having more tannins, extracted from years in oak, these malts brought out a uniquely fresh lychee note instead of being swamped by sweetness.”

Winter Storm hits shelves in two batches with the first beginning October 2017. The second batch is expected in March 2018. Suggested retail price £199 ($270).

Glenfiddich Winter Storm 21 Year / Photo Credit: Glenfiddich

Speyburn 15 Year

Released in the US beginning November 2017, this marks a new limited release to Speyburn’s portfolio. This single malt is aged for 15 years in American and Spanish oak. It is non chill-filtered and there is no coloring added. This bottling also marks a new package and label design for the brand. 3,500 cases are to be released annually with limited availability in the US.

“An insistence on using the most traditional methods of production, combined with an innovative and intuitive approach to distilling has resulted in a whisky portfolio packed with taste,” explains Gillian Gibson, Speyburn Brand Manager. “This rich heritage is now, more than ever, reflected in the premium packaging and new website, bringing to life a history we are very proud of.”

Suggested retail price $65.

Speyburn 15 Year / Photo Credit: Speyburn

Benromach Chateau Cissac Wood Finish 2009

This bottling marks a second edition from their Wood Finish collection of Chateau Cissac. Distilled in 2009, this single malt matured in first-fill bourbon barrels. It then finished its maturation in first-fill French wine casks, which held Chateau Cissac, a Bordeaux wine from the Haut-Médoc. It spent 25 months in these casks. Bottled at 45% ABV, there are 4200 bottles available.

“Our latest Wood Finish expression is a welcome addition to our growing family of Speyside single malt whiskies,” said Benromach Distillery manager Keith Cruickshank.

“Our previous wood finish expressions, including Benromach Sassicaia and Benromach Hermitage, have proved to be very popular and we are looking forward to hearing what whisky lovers think of this Château Cissac. It certainly has plenty of character so I’m sure this new single malt will be appreciated by new and existing Benromach fans around the world.”

Bottled at 45% ABV, there are 4,200 bottles available. Suggested retail price £ 39.75 ($55).

Benromach Chateau Cissac Wood Finish 2009 / Photo Credit: Benromach

With Distiller, you’ll always know what’s in the bottle before you spend a cent. Rate, Review, and Discover spirits! Head on over to Distiller, or download the app for iOS and Android today!