New Expert Spirit Reviews - September 27, 2023

This expression is a cask strength bourbon made from the distillery's signature wheated bourbon mash bill of 68% corn, 16% Virginia-grown wheat, and 16% malted barley. It is matured in a combination of #3 and #4 barrels. It is bottled at varying proofs according to batch, typically around 122 proof.

Like the standard bottling, this expression is made from a blend of Irish whiskey and bourbon. More specifically, it's a blend of triple-distilled pot still Irish whiskey and Irish grain whiskey — both aged over four years in refill bourbon barrels — and bourbon made with 76% corn which was aged over four years in virgin charred oak barrels. This was blended by Brian Nation, former Master Distiller for brands such as Jameson, Redbreast, and Midleton Irish Whiskeys. This Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength botting is launching in summer 2023. (SRP $49.99)

This limited edition straight rye whiskey release from Conecuh whiskey brand Clyde May's features a 9 year-old straight rye from Canada. It is finished with American oak, French oak, and cherry wood chips for an additional four months before it's bottled without chill filtration at 113 proof. Available in select US markets beginning June 2023. (SRP $64.99)

Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured at the Hikari Distillery (est. 1912) in Fukuoka, Japan. The whisky is made with 100% barley, part of which is fermented with koji, a type of mold typically used in shochu production. Sherry casks were used for maturation with the barrels housed in traditional-style warehouse. However, a few casks were matured in open-air warehouses with temperatures fluctuating from 95°F in the summer and 38°F in the winter. Hakata 16 Year is available in the US as of February 2023. (SRP $149.99)

Smokehead is an Islay single malt whisky brand under the Ian Macleod Distillers portfolio, an independent, family-owned distiller, blender, and bottler. This bottling is sourced from an undisclosed Islay single malt distillery and is initially aged in ex-bourbon casks. Then it's finished in tequila casks before bottling at 43% ABV. It's packaged in 700ml sized bottles and was launched in the US in April 2023. (SRP $79.99)