New Spirit Releases - April 14, 2023

Nikka's limited edition Discovery Series explores various whisky-making production techniques the brand has practiced over the years. This 2023 release, the third and final in the series, takes an inside look into Nikka's grain whiskies made at four of their distilleries: Miyagikyo, Nishinomiya (now closed), Moji, and Satsumatsukasa. Coffey grain from Miyagikyo is the heart of the blend with experimental new grain whisky made from corn and rye also included. Available October 2023 with the US getting an allotment of 2,600 bottles. (SRP $174.99)

This 46 year-old single malt from Glenglassaugh was distilled in 1975. It was matured in a single ex-bourbon barrel which was hand-selected by Master Blender Rachel Barrie. This bottling is one of the oldest and rarest expressions from the distillery. Glenglassaugh, which means "valley of the grey-green place," was founded in 1875 on the Highland coast of Scotland. It's packaged at 41.7% ABV without chill-filtration or added color and each bottle is hand-numbered and sealed with wax. This is a US exclusive release with availability beginning April 2023. (SRP $4,800)

Ardbeg Heavy Vapours is the 2023 release to celebrate Ardbeg Day, held annually during the Islay Festival of Music and Malt (Fèis Ìle). Crafted by Dr. Bill Lumsden, this single malt whisky is made without the use of a purifier, a part of the still which gives Ardbeg a balance of fruit and smoke. This lack of the purifier allows the heaviest vapours to rise up during the distillation process. This particular bottling is released for the brand's Committee Members and is bottled at a slightly higher proof (50.2% ABV) than the other limited edition release (46% ABV) with the same name. (SRP $158)

Jefferson's Bourbon Marian McLain is named after founder Trey Zoeller's 8th generation grandmother, one of the earliest known female bootleggers & whiskey runners in history. The bottling is made from a blend of bourbons as follows: 21% 14 year-old Tennessee straight bourbon; 40% 11 year-old Kentucky straight bourbon; 14% wheated double-barrel bourbon; 17% rum cask finished bourbon; and 8% 8 year-old Kentucky straight bourbon. Bottled at 101 proof, this is available nationwide as of April 2023. (SRP $300)

Named after American storyteller Ernest Hemingway, this whiskey is made from a blend of straight rye whiskeys. The majority of the blend (94%) is a 9 year-old straight Indiana rye and the other remaining portion is a 4 year-old Kentucky straight rye. The ryes were blended and finished in rum-seasoned oloroso sherry casks before bottling at 100 proof. This wider release in April 2023 follows the inaugural batch of First Edition bottles sold in collectors packaging which sold out a week after its fall 2022 launch. (SRP $109.99)

Released in April 2023, the Column Still Collection is a collaboration between Rock Town and Bardstown Bourbon Co. This is one of three bourbon bottlings in the collection and each one begins with Arkansas-grown corn and wheat. Using Rock Town's recipe, the bourbon was distilled in March 2020 at BBCo. in Bardstown, Kentucky. After distillation, the distillate was cut to 110 proof and then filled into new charred oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage and Gibbs Brothers Cooperage. The barrels were then sent back to Rock Town Distillery's warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas to mature for a minimum of 34 months. This small batch bottling is available beginning April 15, 2023 online to 42 states and at select retailers in AR, KY, TN, OK, MD, DE, DC, NJ, MA, IL, GA. (SRP $39.99)

Released in April 2023, the Column Still Collection is a collaboration between Rock Town and Bardstown Bourbon Co. This is one of three bourbon bottlings in the collection and each one begins with Arkansas-grown corn and wheat. Using Rock Town's recipe, the bourbon was distilled in March 2020 at BBCo. in Bardstown, Kentucky. After distillation, the distillate was cut to 110 proof and then filled into new charred oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage and Gibbs Brothers Cooperage. The barrels were then sent back to Rock Town Distillery's warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas to mature for a minimum of 34 months. The ABV for this cask strength bottling varies, but expect each single barrel to be around ~ 115 proof. Available beginning April 15, 2023 online to 42 states and at select retailers in AR, KY, TN, OK, MD, DE, DC, NJ, MA, IL, GA. (SRP $59.99)

Released in April 2023, the Column Still Collection is a collaboration between Rock Town and Bardstown Bourbon Co. This is one of three bourbon bottlings in the collection and each one begins with Arkansas-grown corn and wheat. Using Rock Town's recipe, the bourbon was distilled in March 2020 at BBCo. in Bardstown, Kentucky. After distillation, the distillate was cut to 110 proof and then filled into new charred oak barrels from Kelvin Cooperage and Gibbs Brothers Cooperage. The barrels were then sent back to Rock Town Distillery's warehouse in Little Rock, Arkansas to mature. This bourbon was finished in French oak barrels with a medium-plus toast and total aging was a minimum of 34 months. Available beginning April 15, 2023 online to 42 states and at select retailers in AR, KY, TN, OK, MD, DE, DC, NJ, MA, IL, GA. (SRP $69.99)

Tattersall Kernza Perennial Grain Whiskey is made with 100% Kernza, a perennial wheatgrass. The distillery made this sustainable spirit in collaboration with the University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative as well as The Land Institute. As a perennial grain, Kernza does not have to be replanted each year which improves the soil health. After distillation, the whiskey was aged for 3 years in virgin charred oak barrels. Bottled at 90 proof, this will be available online and at select retailers in time for Earth Day 2023 (April 22nd). (SRP $80)