New Spirit Releases - July 12, 2024 - The Balvenie A Collection of Curious Casks, Ardbeg Anthology: The Unicorn's Tale, and More!

One of two limited edition expressions released under The Balvenie's Stories Range "A Collection of Curious Casks," this release was made in collaboration with Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie and Warehouse and Samples Coordinator George Paterson. The single malt was aged for 10 years in a combination of ex-bourbon and European oak casks followed by 8 years in French wine casks from the Charentes region. Released as single cask expressions, the whisky is bottled at 47.9% ABV without chill-filtration. Released globally July 1, 2024 with the US getting its allotment later in summer 2024. (SRP $399.99)

One of two limited edition expressions released under The Balvenie's Stories Range "A Collection of Curious Casks," this release was made in collaboration with Malt Master Kelsey McKechnie and Warehouse and Samples Coordinator George Paterson. The single malt was aged for 14 years in American oak ex-bourbon casks. Released as single cask expressions, the whisky is bottled at 47.8% ABV without chill-filtration. Released globally July 1, 2024 with the US getting its allotment later in summer 2024. (SRP $114.99)

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 is the second annual release from Penelope's Toasted Straight Rye series. While the previous release was made with 100% rye, here a mash bill recipe of 95% rye and 5% malted barley is used. After its initial 6 year maturation, the rye is finished in new freshly toasted barrels (heavy toast) with a level 2 char. Batch 24-304 is limited to 9,000 6-pack cases. Bottled at 100 proof, it's available beginning July 2024. (SRP $74.99)

Crafted by Master Blender Murphy Quint, this limited edition expression begins with a blend of single malts which aged in Cedar Ridge bourbon barrels. Then it was finished in the following casks: a Madeira-inspired Cedar Ridge wine, first-fill Amontillado sherry, new French oak, new American oak (char #3), and peated malt finished in ruby port. Bottled at 57.45% ABV, it's available beginning July 2024. (SRP $99.99)

This bottling marks the seventh release in Chattanooga Whiskey's Bottled in Bond Vintage Series. The bourbon was distilled in one season (January 2020-June 2020) at their Riverfront Distillery in Chattanooga, Tennessee with multiple wheated mash bills in the blend. Also included in the blend are malted wheat, honey malted barley and cherrywood smoked malted barley. The Spring 2020 Vintage will be available at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery and across CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and WI beginning July 2024. (SRP $52.99)

Old Forester's The 117 Series first launched in spring 2021 and focuses on innovation and experimentation. This limited edition expression features a fully-matured Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished for 6 months in aged rum barrels. Bottled in 375ml-sized bottles at 95 proof (47.5% ABV), this is available beginning July 10, 2024 at Old Forester Distilling Co. at $59.99 per bottle as well as at the brand's online store in a two-bottle set for $119.99. It's also available at select Kentucky retailers. (SRP $59.99/375ml)