When is a whisky not a whisky? It’s a topic we’ve explored before when discussing whisky specialties, liqueurs, and flavored whisky, with most containing additives or failing to meet the minimum 40% ABV requirement. The latest Cascade Moon release technically isn’t a whiskey either, as it clocks in at 39.9% ABV, but general manager and distiller Nicole Austin found the barrels—all aged a minimum of 15 years—too interesting to blend away. We spoke with Austin earlier this week about the low-proof spirit and how she approaches the Cascade Moon line differently than George Dickel.
As for legally recognized whiskies, there are plenty of new ones out this week. Wild Turkey brings back its exceptionally popular Russell’s Reserve 13 year old, Jim Beam drops the first Booker’s of the year, Laphroaig unveils its annual Càirdeas release, and Balvenie adds a 25 year old to its Rare Marriages range. Read on for full details.
Russell’s Reserve 13 year old
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: 13 year old
ABV: 57.4%
Price: $100
Release: July 2022
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
This is the second release of Russell’s Reserve 13 year old, and as with last year’s edition, the whiskey is non-chill filtered, aged for 13 years, and bottled at barrel proof.
Whisky Advocate says:
The first edition of Russell’s Reserve 13 year old debuted in June 2021, and we were big fans—it scored 93 points and was named an Editors’ Choice from the Fall 2021 issue. Once the whiskey hits shelves in early July it’s sure to sell out quickly, so sign up for availability notification at russellsreserve.com.
Booker’s 2022-01 “Ronnie’s Batch”
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: 6 years, 11 months, 22 days
ABV: 62.15%
Price: $90
Release: June 2022
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
The first Booker’s release of 2022 is named after Ronnie Land, a longtime Beam employee. As warehouse manager, Land was responsible for the barrel inventory and knew precisely where master distiller Booker Noe liked to store barrels for his namesake whiskey.
Whisky Advocate says:
The first Booker’s release of this year arrives a bit later than last year. The 2021-01 “Donahoe’s Batch” (92 points) was released in March, and the second release, the 2021-02 “Tagalong Batch” (93 points) came out around this time, in early June. The goal each year is to release four batches of Booker’s, but if a batch doesn’t meet current master distiller Fred Noe’s standards, it won’t be bottled. Just last month, Beam also launched the limited-edition Hardin’s Creek line with two whiskeys aged 2 and 15 years, each bottled at 54% ABV.
GlenDronach Cask Strength (Batch 10)
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Highlands)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 58.6%
Price: $100
Release: June 2022
Availability: Limited; Nationwide
Need to know:
Master blender Rachel Barrie crafted this whisky from a marriage of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks.
Whisky Advocate says:
Cask strength scotch is a great way to experience the spirit straight from the barrel and often presents a better value than its lower-proof siblings. We previously scored GlenDronach Cask Strength (Batch 8) at 91 points.
The Balvenie Twenty-Five
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Speyside)
Age: 25 year old
ABV: 48%
Price: $800
Release: June 2022
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
The Balvenie Twenty-Five consists of whiskies aged in American and European oak casks, handpicked by malt master David Stewart. The whiskies were then blended and aged in the brand’s traditional oak tuns for some additional time before being bottled.
Whisky Advocate says:
Twenty-Five, alongside refreshed versions of Balvenie’s Thirty and Forty expressions, constitutes the brand’s Rare Marriages range. According to Stewart, the series aims to explore casks that have stood up to the test of time. At $800, Twenty-Five is the most wallet-friendly of the range, with Thirty going for $2,400 and Forty priced at $6,750.
Laphroaig Càirdeas Edition Warehouse 1
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islay)
Age: Not stated
ABV: 52.2%
Price: $100
Release: May 2022
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
This year’s edition of Càirdeas was exclusively matured in first-fill Maker’s Mark bourbon barrels at Laphroaig’s landmark Warehouse 1, a four-story building that sits at the edge of the sea. The whisky is bottled at cask strength, as all Càirdeas releases are.
Whisky Advocate says:
Càirdeas, which means “friendship” in Gaelic, is released each year in celebration of the Friends of Laphroaig loyalty club. While the 2022 version is finished solely in bourbon casks, past editions of Càirdeas have focused on the influence of sherry maturation.
Woodford Reserve Toasted Oak Oat Grain
Style: Finished bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 45.2%
Price: $60
Release: June 2022
Availability: Limited
Need to know:
This limited-release bourbon starts as Woodford Reserve Oat Grain bourbon, which is then finished in a heavily toasted barrel.
Whisky Advocate says:
Toasted Oak Oat Grain joins the ranks of Woodford Reserve’s Distillery Series, which has also included the Chocolate Malt Whisper, Double Double Oaked, and Four Grain whiskeys. The series aims to highlight the creativity of master distiller Chris Morris and assistant master distiller Elizabeth McCall.
Frank August Small Batch
Style: Bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: Not stated
ABV: 50%
Price: $70
Release: June 2022
Availability: Limited; AZ, CA, FL, KY, NV, NY, WA, and D.C.
Need to know:
Frank August is a newly launched whiskey, and its inaugural bottling is this small batch of no more than 15 barrels of high-rye bourbon that was distilled, aged 4-plus years, and bottled in Kentucky at an undisclosed distillery. Because of a non-disclosure agreement, Frank August cannot identify the source of the bourbon.
Whisky Advocate says:
Frank is the name of one partner’s late father and August is the middle name of another partner’s son—a nod to the past and future. In that vein, the company’s mission is to honor the past while introducing a modern look through its packaging and its approach to bourbon. Look for the rollout of single barrel and experimental finishing releases in October.
RY3 14 year Cask Strength Single Barrel
Style: Light whiskey
Origin: Indiana
Age: 14 year old
ABV: Varies
Price: $80
Release: June 2022
Availability: 6,000 bottles in AL, CA, CT, GA, MA, MS, NC, and TN
Need to know:
From Virginia Beach-based Phenomenal Spirits, this whiskey was made from 99% corn and 1% malted barley, and aged in bourbon barrels.
Whisky Advocate says:
Light whiskey was created in the 60s and 70s to compete with vodka, though it has been predominately used in blends since. Phenomenal Spirits previously released a blended rye whiskey under the RY3 label in December 2020, a portion of that blend was light whiskey distilled at MGP.
