New Expert Spirit Reviews - February 28, 2024 - The Reverend Sour Mash Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Oloroso Sherry Finish, Old Forester Scotch Cask Finish and More!

Produced and bottled by Call Family Distillers in North Carolina, this Sour Mash Whiskey is aged over 4 years in new, charred oak and first-fill bourbon casks. The whiskey — made with a mash bill of 76% corn, 19% rye, and 5% malted barley — goes through the maple charcoal filtering process prior to maturation. The brand is named for 19th century preacher, farmer, grocer, and distiller Reverend Daniel Call. Available in NC, TN, GA, NH, OR, MI, and MA in January 2024 with expanded nationwide distribution by the end of 2024. (SRP $35.99)

This is the 12th release in Jack Daniel's Distillery Series collection of experimental whiskeys. Here, the brand has finished a fully matured Tennessee whiskey in oloroso sherry casks for an additional three years. This bottling was selected by Whiskey Taster Randall Fanning who recently retired after 50 years with the brand. Bottled at 90 proof, it's available at the White Rabbit Bottle Shop at the Jack Daniel's Distillery as well as select retailers in Tennessee beginning December 2, 2023. (SRP $41.99 for 375ml)

Old Forester's The 117 Series first launched in spring 2021 and focuses on innovation and experimentation. This limited edition expression features a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in Scotch whisky casks sourced from Speyside. These casks had previously held sherry and wine. Bottled in 375ml-sized bottles at 93 proof, this is available beginning December 12, 2023 at Old Forester Distilling Co. and at select Kentucky stores. (SRP $59.99)

Toasted Oak Four Grain is a limited edition release in Woodford Reserve's Distillery Series. It was made using a blend of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Rye, Wheat, and Malt whiskeys, each of which was aged in standard new oak barrels. Then it was finished in heavily-toasted new oak barrels. This release is the first to have Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall's name featured on the label since she took over the role from Chris Morris — now the brand's Master Distiller Emeritus — back in January 2023. Available for purchase in limited quantities at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and limited Kentucky retailers beginning September 28, 2023. (SRP $59.99 - 375ml)

Colorado's Laws Whiskey House highlights its unique locale in every aspect of its production, from high-altitude maturation, to the use of mountain spring water, and an emphasis on Colorado grain and heirloom varieties. Centennial Straight Wheat Whiskey is named for its variety of wheat, and is the first Colorado wheat whiskey to meet bonded standards. It was aged for a minimum of two years in full-size, new charred oak casks.

Colorado's Laws Whiskey House highlights its unique locale in every aspect of its production, from high-altitude maturation, to the use of mountain spring water, and an emphasis on Colorado grain and heirloom varietals. Henry Road Malt is distilled with grain grown by the Cody family of Colorado Malting Company at an elevation of 7,500 feet. The malted barley is the same that's used as a component in the distillery's Four Grain bourbon.

Westward Whiskey Vienna Malt is an exclusive release to its members club. It results from an accidental delivery of Vienna malted barley which the distillery decided to put to use rather than waste. The whiskey was distilled in May 2019 from 100% two-row Vienna malt, and is bottled at 90 proof.

This is the limited edition cask strength variation of the brand's core Irish whiskey. It is made from a mash bill of 20% barley and 80% corn that is triple distilled and matured in ex-bourbon barrels. It is then finished in new American oak with a #4 char. It was bottled in 2023 at at 126 proof.

The fifth release in Wolf Spirits' Puncher's Chance portfolio is a blended whiskey featuring a 4 year-old high rye Kentucky straight bourbon, a 4 year-old (100% malted barley) Irish whiskey aged in ex-bourbon barrels, and a 14 year-old bourbon finished in first-fill PX and oloroso sherry casks for up to 15 months. Steven Hughes, Master Blender for IJW Whiskey Company which sourced the barrels, blended this whiskey. Available nationwide beginning December 2023. (SRP $149.99)

Lodestar Whiskey is a female-founded whiskey brand established in Los Angeles in 2023. This whiskey is a blend of straight high-rye bourbon whiskey and American single malt. Bottled at 90 proof, it launched in January 2024 in select retail markets in California and e-commerce. (SRP $45)