Two high-proof bourbons—Wild Turkey and Rebel Yell—are rolling out new editions this month. In addition, Jura scotch has announced a rebranding in the U.S., and its first release is a 10 year old single malt. Plus, discover two brand new Irish whiskeys from Tipperary Boutique Distillery hitting American shelves now, and a new Teeling single malt that’s launching in Europe.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: NAS
Proof: 58.4% ABV
Price: $45
Release: May 2017
Availability: Widely available
Need to know:
Wild Turkey’s barrel proof bourbon is rolling out a new batch now. The ABV has gone up a bit—from 56.4% ABV (112.8 proof) to 58.4% ABV (116.8 proof)—and it’s got a new bottle design.
Whisky Advocate says:
Rare Breed is regularly available, and Wild Turkey has a product locator on their website if you want to find it nearby.
Jura 10 year old
Style: Single malt
Origin: Scotland (Islands)
Age: 10 years
Proof: 40% ABV
Price: $55
Release: May 2017
Availability: U.S. only
Need to know:
Jura is rebranding and “heading in a new direction” in the U.S. market, according to a spokesperson. This new 10 year old is the first release to reflect that change.
Whisky Advocate says:
After years of releasing mostly NAS whiskies, it’s refreshing to see Jura add an age-statement whisky. The brand is no longer producing older expressions like Superstition for the U.S., but it does plan to roll out additional new whiskies in the future
Rebel Yell Single Barrel 2017 Release
Style: Straight bourbon
Origin: Kentucky
Age: 10 years
Proof: 50% ABV
Price: $60
Release: May 2017
Availability: Nationwide in limited amounts
Need to know:
A 100-proof, 10 year old wheater, this is the latest release from Rebel Yell’s Single Barrel line. There are about 24,000 bottles in this year’s batch.
Whisky Advocate says:
Rebel Yell Single Barrel #4744359 scored an 89 in our Winter 2016 Buying Guide. Though your mileage may vary depending on which barrel you get, the main flavor notes should remain the same.
Tipperary Knockmealdowns
Style: Single malt
Origin: Ireland
Age: 10 years
Proof: 47% ABV
Price: $100
Release: May 2017
Availability: 1,700 bottles for the U.S., currently available in a few states
Need to know:
A vatting of six ex-bourbon casks from an undisclosed source, this is a 10 year old Irish single malt that’s cut to proof with water from Ballindoney farm in Tipperary.
Tipperary Watershed
Style: Single malt
Origin: Ireland
Age: NAS
Proof: 47% ABV
Price: $70
Release: May 2017
Availability: 1,700 bottles for the U.S., currently available in a few states
Need to know:
This is also sourced from an undisclosed Irish distillery and is a vatting of six first-fill bourbon casks.
Whisky Advocate says:
Tipperary Irish Whiskey was founded by Stuart Nickerson—a longtime veteran of the scotch industry who led the rebirth of production at Glenglassaugh—his daughter, Jennifer Nickerson, and her fiancé, Liam Ahearn. Currently bottling sourced whiskey, the company hopes to break ground on its own distillery this year. These are its first two releases for the U.S., and they’ll be consistently available going forward.
Teeling Brabazon Bottling
Style: Single malt
Origin: Ireland
Age: NAS
Proof: 49.5% ABV
Price: €78
Release: May 2017
Availability: 12,500 bottles for Ireland, and some European and Asian markets
Need to know:
Teeling is launching a new series of limited-edition single malts named after a Dublin family with roots in the Liberties area of the city where the historic Teeling distillery was located, as well as the modern day iteration. The first release focuses on sherry cask-matured whiskey.
Whisky Advocate says:
Right now this whiskey is only available in Ireland, hitting other European countries and some Asian markets in the near future. Teeling fans traveling through Dublin Airport can buy it there as well.
