New Expert Spirit Reviews - October 2, 2024 - Angel's Envy, Michter's, and More!

Triple Oak joins the brand's Signature Series which also includes the Port Wine Barrel finished bourbon released in 2011 and Caribbean Rum Cask finished rye released in 2013. It's made from a blend of three oak-finished bourbons with the followings types of barrels: Hungarian oak (Hungary), Chinkapin oak (Kentucky), French oak (France). Bottled at 46%, this is an ongoing release with availability nationwide beginning October 2024 with an early release exclusively at the distillery in downtown Louisville on September 14, 2024. (SRP $74.99)

Like the 2021 and 2022 Special Releases, this bottling features Tennessee whiskey which was aged on Coy Hill, the highest hill on Jack Daniel's property in Lynchburg. However, this release was made with whiskey pulled from the 5th or 6th floor rather than the top floor. Aged just shy of 11 years, the Tennessee whiskey was distilled in September 2013 and bottled as single barrel expressions in August 2024. The proofs range from 122-137.5. This limited edition release is available nationwide beginning September 2024. (SRP $79.99)

Released annually to celebrate the birthday of Old Forester founder George Garvin Brown on September 2, Birthday Bourbon is a vintage-dated, one-of-a-kind bourbon selected from barrels made on one day of production. Aged 12 years and bottled at 107 proof, a total of 209 barrels were selected for this year's edition. Once again, the brand is holding an online lottery on its website from August 15-21, 2024 for the opportunity to purchase a bottle. Winners will have to pick up the bottle at distillery in Louisville. It's also available at select retailers nationwide beginning September 2024. (SRP $199.99)

For this 2024 annual limited edition release, Limestone Branch Distillery Master Distiller Stephen Beam chose two Kentucky straight bourbons, one aged for 7 years and the other for 17 years. After blending the bourbons, he then double finished it in cognac and brandy casks which is a first for the brand. Bottled at 50.5% ABV, just 10,000 cases (3-pack) will be available for purchase beginning September 2024. (SRP $99.99)

The 18th Parker's Heritage edition was made in partnership with Master Blender Alain Royer. The bottling features a 14 year-old Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey (mash bill 65% malted barley, 35% corn) that was filled into 128 barrels in March 2009. The whiskey was then re-barreled into 56 larger, reconstructed cognac barrels featuring heavily toasted staves for an additional four months. Bottled at 107 proof without chill-filtration, it's available in limited quantities beginning September 2024. (SRP $169.99)

Michter's first released Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon in 2014 creating the toasted barrel finish category. Fully matured Michter’s US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is transferred into a toasted (not charred) secondary barrel made of 18-month air-dried wood staves for additional aging. Bottled at 91.4 proof, availability for this 2024 edition begins September 2024. (SRP $110)

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength is made from the same high-rye mash bill as the original Bulleit Bourbon. The barrels used are also the same with the new American white oak barrels having a #4 char on the staves and #2 char on the heads. After maturation, it's uncut and unfiltered straight from the barrel. Each batch released will vary in ABV with Batch 8 coming in at 121.8 proof (60.9% ABV). Available beginning July 2024. (SRP $59.99)

Named in honor of the brand's founding in 1885, Green River 1885 is a Kentucky straight bourbon geared towards the on-premise market. Aged a minimum of 4 years, it's made with a mash bill of 76% corn, 15% rye, and 9% malted barley. It's sold exclusively in bartender-friendly 1L-sized bottles. Availability begins in August 2024 in nine markets in the US. (SRP $21.99/1L)

This is the third of three limited edition 2024 releases for this expression. Made with a traditional mash bill recipe, this Kentucky straight bourbon is matured a total of 11 years. It is bottled non chill-filtered and uncut at 129 proof. Available beginning September 2024. (SRP $74.99)

This is the second of three expressions from the brand's Collaborative Series for 2024. Here, BBCo. partnered with iconic American winery Silver Oak Cellars. Six bourbons — three from Kentucky and one each from Tennessee, Indiana, and Georgia — were blended ranging in age from 9-15 years. Then the blend was finished for a further 17 months in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels made exclusively with American oak. Bottled at 108 proof, it's available beginning September 2024. (SRP $159.99)

This bottling was made in partnership with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy which selected Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling for both Glenmorangie and Ardbeg Scotch whiskies, to lead this whisky's creation. Distilled in Indiana using a mash bill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley, it was then sent to Texas where it finished its maturation in sherry casks. SirDavis is named in honor of Davis Hogue, Knowles-Carter’s paternal great-grandfather, who was a farmer and a moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. Bottled at 44% ABV, it's available in September 2024 at US retailers as well as select airports (JFK, LAX, SFO) and stores in London, Paris, and Tokyo. (SRP $89)

This limited-edition bourbon marks the eighth annual offering in the distillery’s Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon line. Series VIII is comprised of barrels aged between 10-17 years including: 9% 17 year-old bourbon (21% Rye), 24% 10 year-old bourbon (21% Rye), and 67% 10 year-old bourbon (36% Rye). It's bottled without chill-filtration at 101 proof. Available in limited quantities beginning September 2024. (SRP $99.99)