New Expert Spirit Reviews - July 19, 2023

This is the first release in Old Pulteney's limited edition Coastal Series. For this series, the brand worked with spirits producers from coastal locations around the world for the finishing casks. Here, the brand begins the maturation in ex-bourbon barrels and then finishes it in Pineau des Charentes casks from the Charente-Maritime region on the southwest coast of France. Available begins in summer 2023. (SRP $79.99)

Benriach The Forty is one of the oldest peated malt whiskies to be released by a Speyside distillery. Founded in 1898, Benriach first began distilling peated spirit in small batches back in the 1970s and the distillery continues to do so to this day. The Forty was crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie who blended casks which were aged a minimum of 40 years. Both bourbon and port casks were used in the maturation process. Available in the US beginning June 2023. (SRP $4,500)

Released in celebration of Fèis Ìle 2023 (Islay Fest), a week long annual Festival of Music & Malt, this Bunnahabhain bottling was fully matured in Canasta sherry casks. The single malt was made in the distillery's signature unpeated style and the bottling was bottled at 51.2% ABV without any added coloring or chill-filtration. While the bottling was released on June 2nd, 2023 — the distillery's Open Day — there will be bottles available in select US markets beginning in early June 2023. (SRP $241.99)

Colere is an American single malt whiskey range from Westland Whiskey which explores barley varieties. For the third edition the brand features a two-row barley called pilot, a spring variety with origins tracing back to the UK. After a fermentation with Belgian Brewer's Yeast, the whiskey is distilled and matured for 41 months. The barrels used are primarily refill Westland casks (93%) with a mix of heavy toast, light char and light toast, heavy char. A second-fill oloroso sherry hogshead is also used. Only 4,629 bottles are available beginning June 2023. (SRP $149.99)

Square 6 Wheated Bourbon is the third release made exclusively at Heaven Hill's Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (EWBE) in Louisville, Kentucky. This artisanal distillery under the supervision of Distiller Jodie Filiatreau has the capacity to produce one barrel per day. For this bottling, there were two wheated bourbon recipes blended after maturation: one used 74% corn, 16% wheat and 10% malted barley and the other used 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Bottled at 105 proof, this is available at the EWBE and at select Kentucky retailers beginning June 2023. (SRP $89.99)