Your next bottle of whisky might be 6.67% smaller, and if you’re concerned about what that means for your wallet, we talked to a few producers about it.
For now, though, all of the week’s newest whiskies are hitting shelves in the usual 750 ml size. First up, Isle of Arran Distillery is rolling out its revamped core range of single malt scotches, which includes the familiar 10, 18, and 21 year old expressions, as well as three new bottles: Arran Barrel Reserve ($50; widely available), Arran Cask-Strength Quarter Cask The Bothy ($75; around 2,400 bottles this year), and Arran Cask-Strength Sherry Cask The Bodega ($80; around 1,200 bottles this year).
Wales’ Penderyn Distillery is releasing two cask-strength, single-cask single malts in the U.S.: a 15 year old matured in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel ($170; 114 bottles) and a 13 year old Rich Oak, finished in an STR cask ($150; 232 bottles).
Finally, Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey is launching the 2021 iteration of Phil’s Shadow, its maple syrup cask-finished rye that honors Punxsutawney Phil. There are 1,100 bottles of the whiskey available, priced at $38 for a 375 ml.
Read on for full details.
Arran Barrel Reserve
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islands)
Age: Not stated
Proof: 43% ABV
Price: $50
Release: January 2021 in the U.S.
Availability: Widely available
Need to know:
Made at Isle of Arran Distillers’ Lochranza facility, this whisky is matured in bourbon casks.
Arran Cask-Strength Quarter Cask The Bothy
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islands)
Age: Not stated
Proof: Varies; currently 56.2% ABV
Price: $75
Release: January 2021 in the U.S.
Availability: Around 2,400 bottles in 2021
Need to know:
This whisky initially matures in 53-gallon bourbon casks for 7 years, then is transferred to smaller quarter casks (125 liters, or around 33 gallons) for another 2 years.
Arran Cask-Strength Sherry Cask The Bodega
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islands)
Age: Not stated
Proof: Varies; currently 55.8% ABV
Price: $80
Release: January 2021 in the U.S.
Availability: Around 1,200 bottles in 2021
Need to know:
A partner to Arran Quarter Cask, this whisky spends its entire life maturing in sherry casks.
Whisky Advocate says:
Arran has previously been available in the U.S., but the distillery recently revamped its core range, adding these three new expressions alongside the existing 10 and 18 year olds. (Unfortunately, Arran 14 year old—a personal favorite—has been temporarily phased out due to stock shortages.) The distillery also plans to release allocated amounts of its Amarone, Sauternes, and Port Cask-Finished whiskies, as well as its 21 year old, later this year.
The new range debuts in updated packaging as well, which includes Braille on the label.
Penderyn 15 year old Bourbon Cask Single Cask (Cask No. B105/2005)
Style: Single malt
Origin: Wales
Age: 15 years old
Proof: 59% ABV
Price: $170
Release: January 2021
Availability: 114 bottles; U.S. exclusive
Need to know:
Filled into cask in 2005 and bottled in 2020, this single malt spent its entire life in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel.
Penderyn 13 year old Rich Oak Single Cask (Cask No. D1062)
Style: Single malt
Origin: Wales
Age: 13 years old
Proof: 58.1% ABV
Price: $150
Release: January 2021
Availability: 232 bottles; U.S. exclusive
Need to know:
Filled into Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels on Dec. 22, 2006, this whisky was transferred to an STR (shaved, toasted, re-charred) cask on July 26, 2017. It’s being bottled as an homage to Dr. Jim Swan, the whisky consultant who helped Penderyn develop its process and style and who pioneered the STR process.
Whisky Advocate says:
Penderyn’s U.S. importer, ImpEx Beverages, has been bringing in exclusive single casks for the last year or so, offering fans the opportunity to taste the whiskies at cask strength, and at older ages than the core lineup. A 12 year old port cask-matured offering scored 93 points, while a 10 year old madeira cask finish scored 94 points. If you’re already a fan of Penderyn, picking up one of these single-cask bottlings will be a special treat indeed.
Wigle Whiskey Phil's Shadow (2021 Release)
Style: Finished rye
Origin: Pennsylvania
Age: Not stated
Proof: 46% ABV
Price: $38 (375 ml)
Release: January 2021
Availability: 1,100 bottles
Need to know:
Initially aged in new charred oak barrels, this rye is finished in maple syrup barrels from Paul Family Farms.
Whisky Advocate says:
Released annually in honor of Groundhog Day, Phil’s Shadow is named for Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous rodent of them all. This year’s bottle features a label by local artist David Pini. Anyone who purchases Phil’s Shadow (which can be shipped in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.) will receive an invitation to a virtual event with Phil, his “inner circle,” and the Wigle team.
