A host of new American whiskey is making its debut this week. Including an American single malt using a 100% malted barley mash bill, a white port cask finished whiskey, and a limited edition barrel proof expression.
Read on to find out more about the exciting new American whiskeys coming to market.
Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Whiskey
Woodford Reserve has announced the release of its limited edition Batch Proof whiskey for 2024. This year’s expression, part of the Master’s Collection, is a high-proof variant with an ABV of 60.6%. The Batch Proof series allows consumers to experience Woodford Reserve’s whiskey as it comes directly from the barrels.
This latest Batch Proof expression comprises over 100 barrels from various production dates and warehouse locations. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall explained that barrels from the upper floors of their heat-cycled warehouses often yield higher-proof presentations, such as this limited edition batch
The 2024 release offers a palate of sweet toasted oak, cocoa, and dried strawberries, with hints of vanilla bean and brown sugar pecans on the nose. Listed at $150, the Batch Proof whiskey is available in select US and global markets, as well as at the distillery, but only in limited quantities.
Elizabeth McCall assumed the role of Master Distiller in February 2023, becoming the third person to hold this position in the brand’s history. She took over from Chris Morris, who was named Master Distiller Emeritus.
Despite slower-than-expected revenue and a 3% drop in Woodford Reserve sales during the first half of Brown-Forman‘s 2024 fiscal year, the distillery continues to innovate and delight whiskey enthusiasts worldwide with releases like the 2024 Batch Proof whiskey.
Chattanooga White Port Cask Finished Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey has revealed its latest release in the annual Barrel Finishing Series, the White Port Cask Finished. This marks the fourth offering from the independent distillery’s limited-edition series that merges the distinctive Tennessee High Malt style with a variety of traditional finishing casks.
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The Barrel Finishing Series was launched in 2021 to enhance both whiskey and finishing cask characters. The team utilizes specific mash bills from their extensive recipe library to match the unique qualities of the finishing cask. They also select barrels from distinct regions known for their exceptional terroir.
For this year’s release, Chattanooga Whiskey has returned to the renowned port style, opting for white port casks from the Carrazeda de Ansiães region in the Douro Valley. This area is celebrated for its high growing elevations, producing complex and aromatic ports.
A custom blend of three bourbon mash bills was created to complement these finishing barrels, including a wheated bourbon recipe with three types of toasted and roasted wheat malts.
The White Port Cask Finished, aged over five years and spending two of those in white port casks, showcases the best of whiskey and wine. It will be available at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery from February 9, 2024, and on shelves in selected states later in the month. Find out where to buy the Chattangooa White Port Cask Finished whiskey here.
Bulleit American Single Malt
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has announced the launch of its first-ever American single malt. This permanent addition to the Bulleit family is distilled with a mash bill of 100% malted barley, aged in charred new American white oak barrels, and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof). The release is an exciting event for the growing American single malt market.
Most American whiskeys are distilled from a mash bill containing varying percentages of different grains, with many different types of whisky gracing the market.
The Bulleit American Single Malt is available nationwide and at the Bulleit visitor experience in Shelbyville, KY, with a suggested retail price of $59.99. For information on where to buy, visit the official Bulleit website.
As a brand committed to sustainability, Bulleit has infused eco-conscious practices into its operations. The Bulleit American Single Malt bottle showcases this commitment with its unique green hue, crafted from post-consumer recycled glass.
In 2017, Bulleit opened a state-of-the-art distillery designed with sustainable practices in mind. In partnership with nonprofit American Forests, Bulleit has pledged to plant and restore 2.5 million white oak trees by 2026, replenishing the resources needed for whiskey barrels whilst combating climate change.
The launch of the Bulleit American Single Malt is seen as a significant step in whiskey innovation and sustainability. As Jesse Damashek, Senior Vice President of Whiskies & Liqueurs at Diageo, puts it, this exceptional whiskey “covers a lot of new ground for the brand.”
Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey
Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey has kicked off the year with a thrilling addition to its collection of bourbons and rye whiskeys: a new American Whiskey. Known for its super-premium offerings, Buzzard’s Roost has crafted this versatile whiskey to be savored both in cocktails and as a standalone sipper.
The latest expression from Buzzard’s Roost has been aged for three years and bottled at 105 proof. Priced at $49.99, it aims to provide whiskey enthusiasts an opportunity to experience the brand’s renowned quality.
The American Whiskey carries a distinct aroma profile featuring roasted almonds, cola, cinnamon, and a hint of orange zest. On the palate, vanilla wafers, roasted almonds, zingy cinnamon candies, and a splash of orange soda.
Buzzard’s Roost Master Blender Jason Brauner expressed his excitement over the creation of their first American Whiskey. By leveraging their library of Char #1 barrels with proprietary toast profiles, they have achieved a unique flavor profile.
CEO Judy Hollis Jones highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of reusing their barrels: “I love that we can get a second use out of our proprietary barrels. It’s a big plus from both environmental and economic standpoints.” After a single use for secondary aging other Buzzard’s Roost whiskies, these barrels still have plenty of flavor to offer.
The new Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey, with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, is available for purchase.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash Bourbons
Hard Truth Distilling Co., an Indiana-based spirits producer, has broken new ground in its product portfolio with the introduction of its first-ever line of Sweet Mash bourbons.
The new Sweet Mash bourbon line includes three distinct expressions – the Sweet Mash Bourbon, the Wheated Bourbon, and the Four Grain Bourbon. Each whiskey is crafted using the sweet mash process, which involves creating a fresh fermentation batch for each distillate, rather than using sour mash from previous fermentations.
The Sweet Mash Bourbon is made from a mash bill comprising 73% corn, 19% rye, and 8% malted barley. Hard Truth’s Wheated Bourbon is made from 69% corn, 19% wheat, and 12% malted barley. Finally, the Four Grain Bourbon consists of four common grain types used in whiskey distillation: corn, rye, wheat, and barley.
Notably, the Wheated Bourbon and Four Grain Bourbon will be bottled at 100 proof, allowing the designation ‘Bottled-in-Bond’ to be used on the label. Any whiskey that is ‘Bottled-in-Bond’ must be aged for at least four years, distilled in a single season at a single distillery, and bottled at 100 proof.
Priced at between $44.99 and $59.99, the whiskeys are set to hit shelves in select markets across the United States. They will also be available for tasting at the Hard Truth Hills campus in Nashville, Indiana.
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