New Spirits Releases - December 16, 2022
Check out the latest releases hitting shelves soon. Photo Credit: Talisker
Dec 16, 2022
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8Forests of the Deep was inspired by an expedition led by Parley for the Oceans, Talisker's partner in ocean conservation, to one of the world's largest sea kelp forests near the Cape of Good Hope. Talisker whisky staves that had been aboard the expedition ship were later charred using a small amount of sustainably farmed Scottish sea kelp & stave wood shavings. Casks were made out of these staves and the single malt whisky was left to finish its maturation. Aged a total of at least 44 years, the whisky was bottled at 49.1% ABV. Beginning December 2022, global availability pf this Diageo Rare & Exceptional release is limited to 1,997 bottles with 102 destined for the US. (SRP $4,499.99)
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7Midnight Malt begins with the brand's signature process (distilled 2.81 times). Refill American & European oak barrels were used in the initial maturation and then the whisky was split to finish in Bordeaux wine, Calvados, and Guatemalan rum seasoned casks. Then the whiskies were married into custom quarter casks with a total aging time of at least 30 years. For 2022 there are just 350 bottles available of this Diageo Rare & Exceptional release. (SRP $4,999.99)
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6Hunter is the first bottling in Waterford's Heritage series. The Irish-grown malted barley used here is a specific type called Hunter, named after plant breeder Dr. Herbert Hunter. It was first introduced in 1959 and while it was noted for its distinctive flavor, it vanished from Ireland in the late 1970s. Only 50 grams of seeds remained, but Waterford has resurrected this barley type and this initial bottling yielded 50 casks. Using Hunter barley which was harvested in August 2018, it was distilled in February 2019 and aged for 3 years, 2 months, and 6 days in the following combination of casks: 45% 1st-fill US oak, 19% virgin US oak, 21% French oak, 15% Vin Doux Naturel wine casks. Announced in December 2022, there are 10,000 bottles available worldwide. (SRP $129.99)
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5This bottling is the first core single malt whiskey to be release by the brand following several batch releases over the first few years of production. Made from 100% malted barley, the single malt is triple distilled and aged for 6-7 years in ex-bourbon (39%) and PX sherry casks (61%). It's bottled without chill-filtration at 46.3% ABV. This flagship Dingle Single Malt Whiskey first launched in Ireland and other markets including China, France, Germany, and the UK in May 2021 before a US launch in December 2022. (SRP $100)
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4High West High Country is the brand's American Single Malt expression which is entirely distilled and blended by High West rather than using any sourced whiskeys. The bottling is made from a blend of 100% copper pot distilled whiskey which is "distilled on the grain" — the grain solids are left in during the fermentation and distillation process instead of being filtered out. It's made with a tri-malt recipe of 85% base malt, 14% caramel 60 malt, and 1% chocolate malt. It's matured for 2-8 years in a mix of freshly charred & second use oak barrels. This is an annual limited edition release with availability beginning nationwide as of December 2022. (SRP $79.99)
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3Pinkie's Batch is the fourth and final batch of Booker's Bourbon released in 2022. This batch is named for Booker Noe's father, Frederick Booker Noe who went by the nickname "Pinkie" by family and friends. Pinkie's Batch was selected by Booker's son, Master Distiller Fred Noe, and is aged for 6 years, 10 months, and 10 days. Like all Booker's Small Batch Bourbon bottlings, this is uncut and unfiltered with this batch coming in at 122.4 proof. Available as of December 2022 nationwide. (SRP $89.99)
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21910 Extra Extra Old is a Kentucky straight bourbon in Old Forester's The 117 Series, a limited edition series which first launched in spring 2021. For this release, the inspiration is the brand's 1910 Old Fine Whisky. Like that bourbon bottling, this expression is finished in a secondary barrel. However, this time the bourbon was left for 24 months in the secondary barrel which explains the "Extra Extra Old" moniker. Available exclusively at the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville beginning December 13, 2022. (SRP $59.99)
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1This bottling was created both as a celebration of the 2023 Chinese New Year and of the 10 generations of the Ferrand family that have passed down their knowledge of viticulture and distillation through the generations. The first main branch of Ferrands had the first name of Elie and the male descendants carried on the Elie name for 10 generations. It was Elie VIII who went to Porto in 1872 for the first (of many) times. He experimented with different cask finishes including port and this bottling is a nod to that. Beginning with 100% ugni blanc grapes, this cognac first matured in French oak casks before double maturing in port wine casks. It's bottled at 88 proof — 8 being a lucky number in China. Only 12,000 bottles of this cognac are available beginning December 2022. (SRP $64.99)