Here’s a look at a few of the whiskey releases announced this week.
Old Forester 117 Series: Scotch Cask Finish
Old Forester announced the latest release this week in its 117 series: 93-proof Scotch Cask Finish with a nod to the Scottish heritage of founder George Garvin Brown.
“This release is special to the family history our brand was built on,” said Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift. “We‘ve been creating top-quality, rare and innovative expressions for 150 years, and this Scotch whiskey captures our founder’s spirit in another rich and smooth liquid, which I recommend serving neat.”
Old Forester Series 117: Scotch Cask Finish
SRP: $59.99
ABV: 46.5 %
Availability: At the retail shop at Old Forester Distilling Co. in Louisville and at select Kentucky stores
Tasting Notes (from the distillery):
Nose- subtle hints of smoky char, milk chocolate drizzled over shortbread accompanied by mulled, spiced fruit
Taste- baked apples and dried fruits with rich notes of toffee, cinnamon and chocolate,rounded out by toasted almonds and smoky char
Finish– silky and buttery with cocoa and baking spices lingering into an earthy and oaky finish
A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon
A. Smith Bowman is bringing back its Cask Strength Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
“When tasting through our barrel inventory, the 9-year-old barrels had a wonderful complexity and sweetness that I wanted to incorporate in this blend,” said Distiller David Bock. “We believe our cask strength whiskey is about crafting the best possible cask strength whiskey we can provide from our stocks. I’m excited for fans to try this year’s release!”
A. Smith Bowman Virginia Straight Bourbon
SRP: $99.99
ABV: 67.5 %
Availability: A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #3 will be available in select markets in the United States, as well as through an online lottery between January 3 and 10, 2024.. To enter, please submit a form here.
Tasting Notes (from the distillery):
“Bottled uncut and non chill-filtered, this bourbon boasts aromas of candy apples and strong maple; the palate offers pronounced sweet raisins and vanilla flavors, followed by toasted toffy. The tasting experience starts with very soft notes that continue to build toward a strong crispy finish indicative of higher proof bourbon.”
Milam & Greene White-Tailed Buck Single Barrrel Bourbon
Milam & Greene in Texas this week debuted the final release in its 2023 Wildlife Collection: White-Tailed Buck Single Barrel Bourbon.
“This year our distilling team has used our Wildlife Collection of Single Barrel Bourbons as an opportunity to explore the influences of climate on aging whiskey,” says Milam & Greene Whiskey CEO and master blender Heather Greene, who was named as 2023 Master Blender of the Year. “We’ve closely analyzed structural and qualitative aspects of whiskey matured in other states before coming to Texas for further aging. We then monitor atmospheric conditions, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and differences in positions in both of our rickhouses to determine how that influences flavor extraction and texture of the whiskey.”
Milam & Greene White-Tailed Buck Single Barrel Bourbon
SRP: $149.99
ABV: 65.6 %
Mash bill: 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley.
Availability: White-Tailed Buck Single Barrel Bourbon will be available exclusively on the Milam & Greene Whiskey website and in the distillery tasting room.
Tasting Notes (from the distillery):
“White-Tailed Buck Single Barrel is a multi-faceted bourbon with an auburn color. It has deep aromas of maple candy, cherry cordial, brown sugar, damp earth, oak, and shortbread cookies. The palate carries through with notes of dark cherry, cornbread muffin, cola, light oak, ‘Mary Jane’ peanut butter taffy, and a nice, oily viscosity that thoroughly coats the palate. It has a long viscous finish with hints of menthol, gingerbread, and candy corn.”
