New Expert Spirit Reviews - March 20, 2024 - Dewar's Double Double 21 Year Mizunara Oak, Bruichladdich 18 Year Re/Define, Bulleit Single Malt and More!

The Double Double series from Dewar's features a blended Scotch whisky crafted by master blender Stephanie Macleod which is aged in a "four stage aging process." Aged a minimum of 21 years, the components in the blend have been aged, blended together, then aged again before a final finishing in the Japanese Mizunara oak casks. Available nationwide beginning February 2024. (SRP $149.99)

Bruichladdich Eighteen is one of two single malt expressions to debut in its Luxury Redefined series and the first two of its permanent high age statement whiskies for the brand. Made with 100% unpeated malted barley (combo of Scottish mainland, Islay and organic barley), each varietal and harvest is completely traceable. Distilled in 2004, the whisky was matured on Islay primarily in ex-bourbon along with some Sauternes and port casks. The whiskies were then vatted and married for 9 months before bottling. Bottled without chill-filtration at 50% ABV, it's available beginning February 2024. (SRP $179.99)

This release from Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is the brand's first entry into the American single malt whiskey category and is a permanent addition to its portfolio. It was made with 100% malted barley and was aged in new American oak barrels. It was bottled in Kentucky at 90 proof and is packaged in green bottle created from post consumer recycled glass. Available nationwide beginning February 2024. (SRP $59.99)

Nc'nean is an independent, organic, zero-waste distillery on the west coast of Scotland powered by 100% renewable energy. Pronounced "Nc-nee-an", their flagship single malt is made from 100% organic Scottish barley and made in batches with ~ 11,000 bottles per batch. Batches 1-18 were aged for 3 years in ex-American whiskey barrels (35%) and specially treated STR (shaved, toasted, and repaired) ex-red wine casks (65%). Subsequent batches are coded and its barrel formula includes 2% sherry casks. Each batch/code is available to view on the brand's website. As of December 2023, this bottling is available in the US. (SRP $70-95)

The Heritage Collection is an annual spring release with each whiskey in the series featuring one of six traditional American whiskey mash bills produced by Heaven Hill. For the 2024 release, the distillery has selected an 18 year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with a mash bill recipe of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. The batch was made from 133 barrels that were filled in December 2005 and matured on the 3rd floor of rickhouse 1I. Limited availability begins nationally in March 2024. (SRP $299.99)

A224 is the third batch for Heaven Hill's Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey, an allocated product released in batches twice a year. Like the Original expression it is made with a mash bill of 51% wheat, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley and the age will range from 7-9 years. It's bottled at a barrel proof of 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV). Availability for Batch A224 begins in late February 2024 at select retailers. (SRP $64.99)

Released in August 2023, this expression is made with the same mash bill as the brand's flagship wheated bourbon — 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Wilderness Trail also employs a sweet mash rather than a sour mash in its production. Aged 8 years, this bourbon also adheres to the bottled in bond requirements. (SRP $88)

The fourth and final seasonal bottled-in-bond bourbon from Still Austin is a Straight Rye Whiskey. It's made with 100% Texas-grown rye — the same mash bill recipe as the brand's The Artist Straight Rye. It follows the bottled in bond regulations so it's the product of one distillation season from one distiller, is aged for at least 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse, and is bottled at 100 proof. Barrels were selected by Head Distiller John Schrepel and Master Blender Nancy Fraley. Available for purchase online and at select retail locations in March 2024. (SRP $79.99)