New Expert Spirit Reviews - March 27, 2024 - Penelope 8 Year Tokaji Cask Finish, Brugal Maestro Reserva , Hatozaki Japanese Blended Whisky and More!

This release under the brand's limited edition Cooper Series features an Indiana sourced straight rye whiskey (95% rye, 5% malted barley) which has been finished in Hungarian Tokaji wine casks. While the previous release had a 6 year-old base, this one was aged 8 years prior to the finishing. Bottled at 106 proof, there are 1,900 six-pack cases available beginning February 2024. (SRP $89.99)

Launching spring 2024, Lux Row Distillers has introduced Rebel 100 6 Year to its portfolio. Like other Rebel Bourbon releases, this is made with a wheated bourbon mash bill recipe created in 1849. Bottled at 50% ABV after 6 years of aging, availability begins in late March 2024 nationwide. (SRP $59.99)

Also known as Finest Japanese Whisky, this blended whisky from the brand Hatozaki is made with grain and malt whiskies distilled in Japan and elsewhere. At least 40% of the blend is made from malt whiskies and all the whiskies in the blend are aged from 3-12 years. Hatozaki is named after the oldest stone lighthouse in Japan which dates back to the 1600s. The Hatozaki whisky brand is based out of the Kaikyō Distillery which began production in 2017.

Art & Decadence is a limited edition blended whisky from Compass Box made with unpeated malt whiskies and grain whiskies aged in a variety of casks. The bulk of the blend (42%) was malt whisky from Balmenach which was finished separately in three types of dessert wine casks — Marsala, Sauternes, and Madeira. Malt whiskies from Linkwood (aged in Palo Cortado sherry casks) and Glen Moray (finished in oloroso sherry casks) as well as grain whisky from Port Dundas were also used in its creation. There are 9,496 bottles available worldwide. Availability in the US begins November 1, 2023. (SRP $180)

This single pot still whiskey from The Busker is the brand's first small batch release. The whiskey was triple distilled and selected by the brand. Initial maturation was done in first-fill bourbon barrels followed by a finishing in European oak oloroso sherry butts. Available to purchase online and at select retailers beginning February 2024. (SRP $49.99/700ml)

This signature release from Killowen features a sourced single malt whiskey matured for a minimum 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels. It was finished in a combination of ex-Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry casks and ones that had been used to age the distillery's own dark rum. Bottled at 55% ABV, it's available in the US beginning March 2024. (SRP $77/375ml)

This single malt is matured for a minimum 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in a combination of ex-Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry butts and casks that once contained the distillery's own coconut rum. It is bottled at 110 proof. Available exclusively in the US beginning March 2024. (SRP $80/375ml)

This expression, which translates from Gaelic to "authentic" or "trustworthy", features the brand's own distillate. Using a flame-fed copper pot still with a worm tub condenser for the distillation, it's made from a mash bill of malted barley, unmalted barley, malted marris otter barley, oats, and wheat that is fermented with a combination of wild and cultured yeast. It is matured for a minimum 3 years in a freshly-dumped ex-cognac cask made from American oak. Bottled without chill-filtration at at 61% ABV, it's available exclusively in the US as of March 2024. (SRP $115/375ml)