New Spirits Releases - October 28, 2022

Founded in 1982 by Jörg Rupf, St. George Spirits has released this whiskey to mark its 40th anniversary. Today St. George is owned and operated by Master Distiller Lance Winters & Head Distiller Dave Smith. Together the pair selected 14 casks from over 600 to create this limited edition bottling. Made with 100% two-row malted barley with five different roast levels, the whiskeys range from four years-old to one of the earliest casks ever laid down by the distillery. As for the barrel types, ex-bourbon and French oak are used, but finishing barrels such as cognac, apple brandy, umeshu, port, sherry and California-style Sauternes casks were also employed. Only 1,982 bottles were produced. Bottles will begin to roll out in select US markets in early November 2022. (SRP $500)

Redwood Empire Cask Strength Pipe Dream is one of three limited edition bottlings featuring uncut and unfiltered whiskeys of the distillery's core portfolio. Pipe Dream is its blended bourbon offering and here four different grains make up its recipe — 74% corn, 20% raw rye, 4.5% malt barley and 1.5% wheat. The bourbons featured here were aged in 53-gallon, char #3 barrels for a minimum of four years and up to 12 years. Since they were aged in the California fog belt, the cask strength proof of 116.8 is lower than many other such offerings of similar makeup. Cask Strength Pipe Dream is available nationwide as of October 2022. (SRP $70)

Redwood Empire Cask Strength Emerald Giant is one of three limited edition bottlings featuring uncut and unfiltered whiskeys of the distillery's core portfolio. Emerald Giant is its blended straight rye offering and here three different grains make up its recipe — 94% rye, 5% malted barley and 1% wheat. The ryes featured here were aged in 53-gallon, char #3 barrels for a minimum of four years and up to 6 years. Since they were aged in the California fog belt, the cask strength proof of 116.4 is lower than many other such offerings of similar makeup. Cask Strength Emerald Giant is available nationwide as of October 2022. (SRP $70)

Redwood Empire Cask Strength Lost Monarch is one of three limited edition bottlings featuring uncut and unfiltered whiskeys of the distillery's core portfolio. Lost Monarch is its "ryebon" offering, a blend of straight rye and straight bourbon whiskeys. The make up here is 55% rye (94% rye, 5% malted barley, 1% wheat) and 45% bourbon (74% corn, 20% rye, 4.5% malted barley, 1.5% wheat). The whiskeys featured here were aged in 53-gallon, char #3 barrels for a minimum of three years and up to 14 years. Since they were aged in the California fog belt, the cask strength proof of 117.2 is lower than many other such offerings of similar makeup. Cask Strength Lost Monarch is available nationwide as of October 2022. (SRP $70)

First launched in 2021, Nikka's limited edition Discovery Series explores various whisky-making production techniques the brand has practiced over the years. For 2022 Nikka has released a pair of whiskies which focuses on the unique aromas generated by yeast from their two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Each whisky is made using rare, experimental batches from its culture collection. Yoichi Aromatic Yeast is bottled without chill-filtration at 48% ABV. Just 2,640 bottles of both expressions are available in the US beginning October 24, 2022. (SRP $274.99)

First launched in 2021, Nikka's limited edition Discovery Series explores various whisky-making production techniques the brand has practiced over the years. For 2022 Nikka has released a pair of whiskies which focuses on the unique aromas generated by yeast from their two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. Each whisky is made using rare, experimental batches from its culture collection. Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast is bottled without chill-filtration at 47% ABV. Just 2,640 bottles of both expressions are available in the US beginning October 24, 2022. (SRP $274.99)

This is one of three releases in Tomatin's Portuguese Collection. Each of the three whiskies were distilled on the 8th of September 2006 and then aged in traditional Scotch whisky casks for 8 years. Then the whiskies are transferred into a unique Portuguese wine casks to finish maturation. In this case, the whisky was placed into Madeira wine casks on the 23rd of April 2015 and it aged for a further 8 years before bottling in May 2022. Released worldwide in October 2022. (SRP £90)

This is one of three releases in Tomatin's Portuguese Collection. Each of the three whiskies were distilled on the 8th of September 2006 and then aged in traditional Scotch whisky casks for 8 years. Then the whiskies are transferred into a unique Portuguese wine casks to finish maturation. In this case, the whisky was placed into Tawny port wine casks on the 23rd of April 2015 and it aged for a further 8 years before bottling in May 2022. Released worldwide in October 2022. (SRP £90)

This is one of three releases in Tomatin's Portuguese Collection. Each of the three whiskies were distilled on the 8th of September 2006 and then aged in traditional Scotch whisky casks for 8 years. Then the whiskies are transferred into a unique Portuguese wine casks to finish maturation. In this case, the whisky was placed into Moscatel de Setúbal wine casks on the 23rd of April 2015 and it aged for a further 8 years before bottling in May 2022. Released worldwide in October 2022. (SRP £90)

This is one of two whiskies released in second edition of The Macallan's Harmony Collection, a series which explores the brand's future packaging journey. This edition gets its inspiration from Ethiopian Arabica coffee beans. Both whiskies were crafted by Whisky Maker Steven Bremner and designed to pair perfectly with coffee. Sherry-seasoned American and European oak barrels were used in its maturation. The Macallan worked with paper expert Michele Posocco on the hybrid packaging which was made using repurposed and recycled materials including coffee bean husks. Intense Arabica is intended to be the bolder whisky of the two and has a slightly higher ABV at 44%. This limited edition bottling is available worldwide in select bars, restaurants, and retailers beginning October 2022 with the US getting its allotment in November 2022. (SRP $185)

This is one of two whiskies released in second edition of The Macallan's Harmony Collection, a series which explores the brand's future packaging journey. This edition gets its inspiration from Ethiopian Arabica coffee beans. Both whiskies were crafted by Whisky Maker Steven Bremner and designed to pair perfectly with coffee. Sherry-seasoned American and European oak barrels were used in its maturation. The Macallan worked with paper expert Michele Posocco on the hybrid packaging which was made using repurposed and recycled materials including coffee bean husks. Smooth Arabica is intended to be the softer whisky of the two and has a slightly lower ABV at 40%. This bottling is a travel retail exclusive edition with key locations getting its allotment in November 2022. (SRP $185)

This limited edition whisky was crafted by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod who has put a focus on unique cask finishes that compliment Aberfeldy. Aged for 18 years, the single malt was finished in Tuscan red wine casks from the Bolgheri appellation, best known as the birthplace of Super Tuscan wine. Available as of October 2022. (SRP $129.99)

A Tale of the Forest is a limited edition single malt release from Glenmorangie created by the brand's Director of Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden. The third in the "Tale" series, A Tale of the Forest is made by kilning the barley used in the whisky with woodland botanicals including juniper berries, birch bark, heather flowers and a little peat. The whisky is aged in bourbon casks including refill barrels. Bottled at 92 proof, it's available in the US as of October 2022. (SRP $102.99)