High West A Midwinter Night's Dram Act 6

Style: Blend of straight ryes
Origin: Multiple (Indiana, Kentucky, Utah)
Age: Not stated
Proof: 49.3% ABV
Price: $100
Release: Fall 2018
Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

High West releases a new batch of A Midwinter Night’s Dram—which is Rendezvous Rye finished in French oak port barrels—every fall. This year, the whiskey’s blend includes some of High West’s own rye for the first time.

Whisky Advocate says:

Earlier this year, High West announced that it was beginning to blend its own pot-still rye into its whiskeys: first Double Rye, then Yippee Ki-Yay, and now Midwinter, as well as the newest batches of Rendezvous (starting with 18J05) and Campfire. But drinkers shouldn’t notice a difference in the flavor. Master distiller Brendan Coyle sat down to explain how he is able to change the recipe for an existing whiskey without altering its taste.

Royal Salute 21 year old Beach Polo Edition

Style: Blended whisky
Origin: Scotland
Age: 21 years old
Proof: 40% ABV
Price: $140
Release: July 2018 (travel retail); September 2018 (globally)
Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

The second release in Royal Salute’s Polo Series, this whisky was blended by master blender Sandy Hyslop to evoke maritime influences with soft peaty flavors. It was released in travel retail in July, and is now becoming more widely available for a limited time.

Whisky Advocate says:

Whiskies that match up with athletes or sports aren’t uncommon; if you’re a fan of baseball, golf, MMA, even soccer, you’re likely to find a bottle to pair with it. This special blend is for polo fans, surely a small, but passionate community, and is endorsed by former England polo team captain Malcolm Borwick.

Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser

Style: Straight rye
Origin: Virginia
Age: 4 years old
Proof: 50% ABV
Price: $96
Release: February 2019
Availability: At the distillery and in limited amounts in 26 states

Need to know:

This is Catoctin Creek’s first bottled in bond rye, made of 100% rye grain and aged for four years. It celebrates the Virginia distillery’s tenth anniversary, which is taking place in February 2019. While this initial release will be limited, more of the rye will be available in future years as barrels come of age.

Whisky Advocate says:

There are many reasons to try bottled in bond whiskey, but it’s especially exciting when craft distilleries release bonded products. Catoctin Creek is one of a small, but growing, number of craft distillers adding bottled in bond whiskey to their lineups—a sign that as their businesses mature, they are able to mature their whiskey longer as well.

Virginia Distillery Co. Brewers Batch (Batch #2)

Style: Blended whisky
Origin: Scotland (Highlands) and Virginia
Age: Not stated
Proof: 46% ABV
Price: $65
Release: Fall 2018
Availability: 1,500 bottles in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., with expansion planned

Need to know:

The second release of Virginia Distillery Co.’s Brewers Batch, this whisky is a blend of blended malt from the Highlands and single malt made at the distillery. The blend is finished in beer barrels that were first used to age the distillery’s whisky, then filled with ale from 3 Stars Brewing Co. Going forward, Virginia Distillery Co. plans to partner with other breweries in the markets where it’s sold.

Whisky Advocate says:

The first release of this whisky came out last February; my write-up explains a little more about the complex barrel program the distillery is using. The first Brewers Batch partnered with Three Notch’d Brewing Co. and scored 88 points in the Buying Guide. We look forward to trying the second release as well.

Sagamore Spirit Port Finish

Style: Rye
Origin: Indiana
Age: Not stated
Proof: 50.5% ABV
Price: $70
Release: October 2018
Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

After aging in new charred oak barrels, this blend of straight ryes made at MGP Distillery is finished in port and port-style wine barrels.

Sagamore Spirit Double Oak (Batch #2)

Style: Rye
Origin: Indiana
Age: 4 years old
Proof: 48% ABV
Price: $60
Release: October 2018
Availability: Limited edition

Need to know:

The second batch of Sagamore’s Double Oak rye, this whiskey is aged for four years in new charred oak barrels and then finished for four months in grooved “wave stave” barrels.

Whisky Advocate says:

All of Sagamore Spirit’s whiskey that’s currently in bottle was made at MGP Distillery according to the company’s recipe, proofed to strength with water from Sagamore Farm. Sagamore Spirit opened its own distillery in Baltimore in 2017 and is currently making rye there.

Claxton's Single Casks (Winter 2018 Release)

Style: Single malt and single grain
Origin: Scotland
Age: Varies
Proof: Varies
Price: Varies
Release: October 2018
Availability: Limited; not available in the U.S.

Need to know:

Independent bottler Claxton’s is rolling out a series of single cask scotches, available in the UK and EU. The six offerings represent every whisky region in Scotland:

• 1986 Dumbarton 32 year old (57.1% ABV)—Single grain whisky from a closed Lowlands distillery; matured in a bourbon barrel
• 1996 Springbank 22 year old (55% ABV)—From Campbeltown; matured in a bourbon hogshead
• 1999 Teaninich 19 year old (53% ABV)—From the Highlands; matured in a bourbon hogshead
• 2002 Bruichladdich 16 Year old (61.2% ABV)—From Islay; matured in a sherry puncheon
• 2008 Benrinnes 10 years old (51.7% ABV)—From Speyside; matured in a bourbon and sherry cask
• 2008 Ledaig 10 year old (54.3% ABV)—From the Islands; matured in a refill bourbon hogshead

Whisky Advocate says:

Independent bottlers offer the chance to taste whisky you might never otherwise taste—like this 32 year old single grain, or expressions from familiar distilleries that differ from their standard ranges. These whiskies won’t be for sale at retail in the U.S., but can be purchased online.