New Expert Spirit Reviews - November 6, 2024 - Redbreast, Tequila Ocho, and More!

Crafted by Master Blender David McCabe and Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, this bottling features a triple-distilled single pot still whiskey which has been aged for 18 years in a combination of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, and cream sherry casks with a small portion aged in ruby port barrels. In addition to being the first 18 year-old expression from Redbreast, it is also the first bottling to incorporate cream sherry casks in its production. Available globally beginning September 2024, Redbreast 18 Year is a permanent addition to the brand's portfolio. (SRP $249.99)

This extra-aged cask strength rye from Old Overholt was barreled in autumn 2012 and aged for 11 years in a four warehouses in Clermont, Kentucky. Bottled without filtration at 107.4 proof, it's available nationwide in limited quantities beginning fall 2024. (SRP $99)

Cellar Aged, an annual limited edition expression, begins with fully-matured barrels of Maker's Mark aged in traditional bourbon warehouses. These barrels are then moved to a limestone cellar to age further. This 2024 release blends 15% 12 year-old and 85% 13 year-old barrels making this expression the oldest bourbon released by the brand to date. It's bottled at cask strength of 119.3 proof (59.7% ABV). Availability begins in September 2024 in the US and in the following weeks to the UK, Germany and select global travel retailers. Korea, Japan and Singapore receive its allocations in early 2025. (SRP $174.99)

This limited edition release from Wild Turkey was created to celebrate Master Distiller Jimmy Russell's 70th anniversary with the distillery. Jimmy began his career at the distillery on September 10, 1954 sweeping floors at age 18 and he worked his way up the ranks to Master Distiller. Since Wild Turkey 101 is Jimmy's favorite, this bottling features 8 year-old 101 proof bourbon along with an additional blend of 8-9 year-old bourbon whiskeys hand-selected from a few of Jimmy's favorite rickhouses. Available in select global markets beginning fall 2024. (SRP $50)

The Sneakerhead Blend is the fifth release for the 2XO's Icon Series. Like the others, this one was blended by American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman using a double-barrel process. For this bottling, two bourbon mash bills were used — one with a high-rye 35% recipe and another with a moderate 18% rye recipe. Dedman double-barreled the high-rye recipe into new, charred oak barrels (#3 and #4 char levels) for 9 months to a year. This high-rye portion makes up 60% of the blend. Available nationwide beginning October 2024. (SRP $99.99)

This limited edition release from Hudson Whiskey features a New York rye whiskey which was finished in Calvados casks. It was aged a total of 7 years — at least 3.5 years in new, charred American oak and a further 3.5 years in ex-Calvados casks. This is an Empire Rye certified whiskey and is made with New York grains (95% rye, 5% malted barley). Available nationwide for a limited time beginning October 1, 2024. (SRP $69.99)

Nearest Green is a no-age statement Tennessee whiskey which is offered at a lower proof and price point than others in the Uncle Nearest portfolio. It's packaged in a bar-friendly slim and tall bottle and is designed for mixing cocktails. Bottled at 84 proof, availability begins online via the brand's website and e-commerce partners in October 2024 with a rollout to bars and retailers to follow across the country beginning in Tennessee. (SRP $29.99)

This is the fourth release from the brand's Cask Finish Series featuring blends of straight bourbons with unique finishes. Here, BCS begins by blending straight bourbon whiskeys from Indiana (aged 5-9 & 11 years), Kentucky (aged 5 & 8 years), Tennessee (aged 9 & 15 years), and Wyoming (aged 9 years). Then the blend gets finished in ice wine barrels. Bottled at cask strength of 106.52 proof, its available at select retailers nationwide and via BCS website beginning September 2024. (SRP $89.99)

This is the second limited edition annual release selected by the Stake F1® Team KICK Sauber. It's a 100% rye whiskey aged for six years in new American oak barrels. It's then "finnished" in OATH gin barrels, a brand owned by Finnish racing driver Valtteri Bottas. The gin is made from oats and apple peels sourced in Finland. It's bottled at 100.77 proof as a nod to Bottas' racing number 77 on the track. Available online via WhistlePig's website beginning September 10, 2024. (SRP $59.99)