New Spirits Releases - October 7, 2022

This is the fourth release in the limited edition Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series. Like each of the previous in the series, the whiskey begins with fully matured cask strength Maker's Mark Bourbon. The whiskey is then finished in secondary barrels containing the proprietary wood staves. The spotlight for this year's edition is the brand's focus on hand-barrel rotation (BRT) and temperature in the rickhouse. This is one of two releases this year and Maker's Mark intends for them to be enjoyed as a pair. BRT-01 is finished with American oak staves and the profile is meant to reflect the hotter top of the rickhouse. Bottled at a cask strength of 109.4 proof, this was released in October 2022. (SRP $59.99)

This is the fourth release in the limited edition Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series. Like each of the previous in the series, the whiskey begins with fully matured cask strength Maker's Mark Bourbon. The whiskey is then finished in secondary barrels containing the proprietary wood staves. The spotlight for this year's edition is the brand's focus on hand-barrel rotation (BRT) and temperature in the rickhouse. This is one of two releases this year and Maker's Mark intends for them to be enjoyed as a pair. BRT-02 is finished with French oak staves and the profile is meant to reflect the cooler bottom of the rickhouse. Bottled at a cask strength of 109.4 proof, this was released in October 2022. (SRP $59.99)

In honor of Knob Creek's 30th anniversary, the brand has released this 18 Year expression, the oldest release to date for the brand. The brand was first introduced in 1992 by Master Distiller Booker Noe, grandson of Jim Beam. This limited edition bottling is aged twice as long as its flagship expression and is bottled at 100 proof. Available nationwide as of October 2022. (SRP $169.99)

This is the fourth annual release for Widow Jane and its The Vaults series which features its oldest and rarest whiskey. The 2022 release is made with a blend of straight bourbons aged a minimum of 14 years and as old as 19 years. Each of The Vaults bottlings have been finished with wood from various regions and with different lengths of time for its air-seasoning. Here, Missouri Ozark oak casks which have been air-seasoned for three years are used to finish the maturation. It's proofed to 49.5% ABV with pure limestone water from the Rosendale Mines of New York 100 miles north of the Red Hook, Brooklyn distillery. Just 2,000 cases have been released with availability beginning October 2022. (SRP $250)

The Distillery Series, formerly called Tennessee Tasters', is a line of experimental whiskeys exclusive to Tennessee. Released in October 2022, this is one of two bottlings selected by Assistant Distiller Lexie Phillips and her husband Josh Phillips, a Taster at Jack Daniel's. Josh selected this bottling which features straight Tennessee rye which was barreled in March 2017. Then it was placed into high-toasted, uncharred maple barrels in September 2021 to finish its maturation. Bottled at 101 proof, it is available at the Jack Daniel's Distillery and at select Tennessee retailers. ($41.99/375ml)

The Distillery Series, formerly called Tennessee Tasters', is a line of experimental whiskeys exclusive to Tennessee. Released in October 2022, this is one of two bottlings selected by Assistant Distiller Lexie Phillips and her husband Josh Phillips, a Taster at Jack Daniel's. Lexie selected this bottling which features straight Tennessee rye which was barreled in summer 2014. Then it was placed into high-toasted, uncharred oak barrels in October 2019 to finish its maturation. Bottled at 101 proof, it is available at the Jack Daniel's Distillery and at select Tennessee retailers. ($41.99/375ml)

This is the 13th annual Octomore series from Bruichladdich which features super heavily-peated single malt. This 13.1 bottling uses 100% Scottish malted barley (Concerto) which is malted to 137.3 ppm. Distilled in 2016, the whisky matured for 5 years exclusively in American oak first-fill bourbon barrels. It's bottled without chill-filtration or added color at 59.2% ABV. Available October 2022. (SRP $219.99)

This is the 13th annual Octomore series from Bruichladdich which features super heavily-peated single malt. This 13.2 bottling uses 100% Scottish-grown malted barley (Concerto) which is malted to 137.3 ppm. Distilled in 2016, the whisky matured for 5 years exclusively in first-fill oloroso sherry butts from Fernando de Castilla. It's bottled without chill-filtration or added color at 58.3% ABV. Available October 2022. (SRP $259.99)

This is the 13th annual Octomore series from Bruichladdich which features super heavily-peated single malt. This 13.3 bottling uses 100% Islay-grown malted barley (Concerto) which is malted to 129.3 ppm. Distilled in 2016, the whisky matured for 5 years exclusively in a combination of first-fill American whiskey casks and ex-European oak ex-wine casks (Rivesaltes and Ribera del Duero). It's bottled without chill-filtration or added color at 61.1% ABV. Available October 2022. (SRP $299.99)

The eleventh batch of Grandeur from GlenDronach features single malt whiskey which has aged for 28 years in PX and oloroso sherry casks. Crafted by Master Blender Rachel Barrie, this single malt was bottled with natural color at 48.9% ABV. Each bottle is sealed with wax and is hand numbered. Available in the US as of October 2022. (SRP $800)

Hibiki Blossom Harmony features a blend of malt and grain whiskies from Suntory's Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries. The whisky is then finished in selected Sakura casks, also known as cherry blossom casks. This limited edition bottling is available in select global markets beginning October 2022 including the US, the UK, Australia, and Germany among many others. (SRP $160)

First introduced in 1997, Hibiki 30 Year is a Japanese blended whisky comprised of single malts from Yamazaki and Hakushu distilleries and single grain from Chita distillery. The bottle is thoughtfully designed with 30 facets, representing each year of its slow and patient maturation in a variety of oak barrels. Just a few thousand bottles are produced each year. As of October 2022, this is now available in the US. (SRP $5,000)