New Whiskey Releases Week of 12-4-23

December 7, 2023

Col. Brian G. Miller

Here’s a look at a few of the whiskey releases announced this week. (Also check out the latest releases from Buzzard’s Roost and Milam & Greene.)

Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey
Bottled-in-Bond

Here’s a unique twist from a Texas whiskey maker: Maverick Distilling has launched its Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond.

What is triticale, you ask? The folks at Maverick Distilling in San Antonio describe it this way: “Unique triticale grains are a hybrid of wheat and rye invented by a Scottish botanist in 1875. Sourced from the Texas panhandle, the grains impart a distinctive flavor profile that sets this spirit apart.”

“Our Straight Triticale Whiskey is the result of what we call our “happy accident,” said Dr. Kenneth Maverick, founder of Maverick Distilling. “We ordered several thousand pounds of rye grain to produce our Rye Whiskey. Through a mix-up at the silos, the grain we received labeled as rye turned out to be triticale. In true Maverick fashion, we decided that when life gives you triticale, make fine Texas Whiskey. We are thrilled to introduce the new Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond. This expression embodies the spirit of Maverick Distilling—innovation, resourcefulness, tradition, and uncompromising quality.”

Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond

ABV: 50 %

SRP: $135 per 750 ml bottle

Availability: Online at www.maverickwhiskey.com or at the Maverick Distilling in downtown San Antonio, near the Alamo.

Tasting notes (from the distillery): “Inviting aromas of toasted cereal and spicy caramel, light caraway, and toasted wheat berries. Starts with velvety-sweet butterscotch flavors and grain-forward spice across the tongue. The spiciness fades to orange zest, nutty pecan pralines, and West Texas pinion smoke, finishing with hints of buttery cinnamon wheat toast.”

Wolf Spirit's Punchers Chance: The Unified Belt

Wolf’s Spirit’s Punchers Chance Bourbon entered the ring this week with a fifth new release. The Unified Belt is a three-cask blend of bourbon and Irish whiskey.

Like we did with Puncher’s Chance The Left Cross, which was finished in Jamaican rum casks, we wanted to push our creativity to create a truly multidimensional whiskey experience, ”said Umberto Luchini, Founder of Wolf Spirit. “The bourbon and Irish Whiskey created an intriguing blend, but I think it was the addition of the 14-year-old bourbon finished in sherry casks that really created something unexpected and special in The Unified Belt, which is the hallmark of the Puncher’s Chance brand.”

Wolf Spirit The Unified Belt

Mashbill: 70% corn, 20% rye, 10% malt.

ABV: 48%

SRP: $149.99 for 750 ml bottle

Tasting notes (from the distillery):”Enters with dark fruit, orchard fruit and cocoa, which are perfectly balanced with layers of warm oak and baking spice. The finish is long with hints vanilla and baked green apples.”