The Most Reviewed New Spirits of 2023

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch A123 is the first of batch for 2023. Using a mash bill recipe of 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye, this bourbon is aged for 12 years and is bottled without chill-filtration at full barrel strength of 125.6 proof (62.8% ABV). Released nationwide as of January 2023. (SRP $69.99)

Green River Wheated Bourbon is a Kentucky straight bourbon from Green River Distilling Co., part of Bardstown Bourbon Company. The mash bill is comprised of 70% Kentucky-grown corn, 21% wheat, and 9% barley. This whiskey is in 25 markets across the United States as of March 2023. (SRP $34.99)

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye had previously been released as a special release, but it is now a permanent addition for the brand's Single Barrel Collection. It's made using a mash bill recipe of 70% rye, 12% malted barley and 18% corn. It's charcoal mellowed prior to aging in new American white oak barrels. The barrels selected for the Single Barrel Collection are aged at the highest reaches of the barrelhouses. The proof ranges from 125-145 proof for these single barrel expressions. Available nationwide as of May 2023. (SRP $59.99)

This bourbon from Heaven Hill's Larceny Bourbon brand consists of bourbon made from a wheated mash bill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley). The barrels used in the batch were aged from 6 to 8 years. But as the name suggests, the bourbon is bottled straight from the barrel at Barrel Proof. Heaven Hill releases three batches each year so be on the look out for the batch number and proof on the label. Batch B523 is bottled at 124.4 proof. Available in limited quantities as of May 2023. (SRP $59.99)

This limited edition release from Maker's Mark is the fifth and final release for its Wood Finishing Series which first began in 2019. BEP highlights the brand's Barrel Entry Proof, which at 110 proof is low for industry standards (the maximum is 125 proof). Here the finishing staves used are 10 virgin toasted American oak. This bourbon is released at cask strength which will range from 108-114 proof. Available nationwide starting April 2023. (SRP $69.99)