New Expert Spirit Reviews - September 4, 2024 - Old Elk, Ardbeg, and More!

Crafted by Master Blender Melinda Maddox, this release is a new addition to the brand's Cask Finish Series. Beginning with Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey (95% wheat, 5% malted barley) aged for 6 years, the whiskey is then finished for 6 months to 1 year in French Limousin oak Cognac casks. Bottled at 95 proof, it's available nationwide beginning August 2024. (SRP $89.99)

This limited edition release is the second in Laphroaig's The Elements series which celebrates innovation and creativity in whisky making. Here, Laphroaig experiments with the fermentation time. This single malt was created from a number of longer fermentations ranging up to 115 hours — more than double the standard time to showcase its impact on flavor. Bottled without chill-filtration at 59.6% ABV, US availability begins July 2024. (SRP $165/700ml)

This release from Ardbeg is the second release in its Anthology Series following The Harpy's Tale released in summer 2023. The Unicorn's Tale is aged 14 years is a marriage of classic Ardbeg aged in bourbon casks and Ardbeg fully matured in Malmsey Madeira casks. This marks the first whisky from Ardbeg to be matured such casks. Available in the US beginning July 2024. (SRP $159.99)

This High Wheat Bourbon is a new addition to the brand's estate-distilled Origin Series with 100% of production including distilling, aging, and bottling handled by the brand in Bardstown. Here, a bourbon mash bill with a high percentage of wheat is used in the production (53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley). Aged for 6 years, this is bottled at 106 proof (53% ABV). This is the fourth release and the second wheated bourbon in the Origin Series following their Bottled in Bond Bourbon made with 20% wheat. Availability for this new core offering begins August 2024. (SRP $49.99)

This release from Westland is the fourth edition in the brand's Colere series which explores barley varieties. Previous editions featured Alba, a six-row winter barley; Talisman, a two-row winter barley; and Pilot, a two-row spring barley — all grown in the Pacific Northwest. This release features Fritz, a variety of barley derived from Washington State University The Bread Lab research center. It was matured for 71 months, mostly in refill Westland casks with a mix of light char, heavy toast and heavy toast with a light char. Just 3,084 bottles were produced. Availability begins May 2024 at select US retailers. (SRP $149.99)

The 17th edition of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon features four different bourbon recipes (out of ten available) aged 12-20 years. The recipes are as follows: 12 year OBSV (35% rye, delicate fruit yeast); 15 year OESK (20% rye, slight spice yeast); 16 year OESF (20% rye, herbal notes yeast); 20 year OBSV (35% rye, delicate fruit yeast). The bourbon was crafted by Master Distiller Brett Elliott and is bottled at 108.2 proof without chill-filtration. Approximately 16,680 hand-numbered bottles will be available at the brand's visitor centers in Kentucky beginning September 14, 2024 and at select retailers nationwide in September 2024. (SRP $220)

This release from Elijah Craig features a new permanent addition to the brand's Toasted Barrel series. Here, a fully matured straight rye (51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley) is re-barreled at barrel proof in a new custom toasted oak barrel made in partnership with Independent Stave Company. Since this finishing barrel is also charred, the whiskey retains its straight rye status. This highly allocated release is available nationwide beginning late July 2024. (SRP $54.99)

This limited edition release marks the brand's first release in the single malt market. Made from 100% malted barley, it was distilled in copper stills at Crown Royal's Valleyfield Distillery in Quebec. Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), it's available nationwide beginning June 2024. (SRP $54.99)

This collector's release from Remus Bourbon features a bottling inspired by the American Baseball Hall of Fame legend Babe Ruth. To honor Ruth's jersey #3, a medley of three high-rye bourbon whiskeys aged 6-7 years were used in its creation. The distillation years and blending percentages are listed on the bottle. Featuring a bottle with a baseball diamond pattern and wooden cork closure resembling a baseball bat, the bourbon is bottled at 111 proof. Just 10,624 bottles — one for each of his plate appearances — are available beginning July 2024. (SRP $149.99)

This release from Knob Creek is the first ever bourbon and rye blended straight whiskey from the brand. Crafted by 8th generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe along with his dad Master Distiller Fred Noe, Bourbon x Rye features a blend of Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon with Knob Creek 7 Year Rye. It's bottled at 113 proof and is available for a limited time nationwide beginning July 2024. (SRP $44.99)