In new American whiskey and bourbon releases this week, Redwood Empire launches a single barrel program, Laws Whiskey House finishes with honey, and Chattanooga experiments with persimmons. Copperworks Distilling Co. unveils a double release, Pendleton Whisky pays tribute to the Round-Up rodeo, and Hidden Barn returns to Madeira.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable new releases in American whiskey and bourbon this week.
Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel
Redwood Empire Whiskey has introduced the Haystack Needle Single Barrel Program, its most mature grain-tot-glass offering to date. This release includes 53 single barrels of bourbon and rye, selected for their unique flavor profiles and crafted as part of the distillery’s grain-to-glass philosophy.
The whiskey is distilled in small batches—just four barrels per day—using locally sourced grains and aged in toasted and charred barrels. The aging process takes place in California’s Redwood Empire region, where the cooler climate helps develop a balanced and complex flavor profile.
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Retailers, bars, and whiskey clubs participated in the selection process, tasting and choosing their own barrels to offer customers a tailored experience. Each bottle in the program reflects the characteristics of its specific barrel, providing a distinct take on Redwood Empire’s bourbon and rye.
The packaging, designed by Stranger & Stranger, incorporates a textured design inspired by redwood bark, highlighting the brand’s ties to the natural environment.
Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Single Barrel Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys are available on Redwood Empire’s website and at select retailers nationwide.
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Copperworks Distilling Co. Color Cask & Whidbey’s Port Cask
Copperworks Distilling Co. has released a unique American Single Malt Whiskey, matured entirely in a 200-year-old “color cask” sourced from the historic Bodegas Argüeso winery in Cádiz, Spain. Traditionally used to darken Oloroso sherry, these rare casks reflect a fading practice in sherry production.
After acquiring the cask in 2019, Copperworks chose to fully mature the whiskey for nearly five years, resulting in a bold, complex spirit. Distilled as a “Queen’s Run,” using heads and tails from previous distillations, this whiskey boasts intense flavors of dark chocolate, fig jam, browned butter, and toasted nuts, with a long, intricate finish. (50% ABV, $149.99).
Additionally, the brand has unveiled the Whidbey’s Port Cask American Single Malt Whiskey. This whiskey was aged for nearly seven years in a refilled American Single Malt Whiskey cask, then finished for seven months in a cask previously used to mature Whidbey’s Port, a local port-style wine crafted in Washington since 1984.
The finishing process enhances the whiskey with subtle Port-inspired notes while maintaining its original character. Expect aromas of cedar, orange oil, and raspberry cookies, followed by a palate of orange marmalade, cinnamon, and sarsaparilla, culminating in a balanced, lingering finish. (50% ABV, $89.99).
Members of Coppworks Distilling Co. First Cut club can enjoy special early access to these new whiskeys by following this link. The whiskeys will be released to the public on November 29th at 11 am PT.
Laws Whiskey Honey Cask Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Laws Whiskey House has also announced a double release.
The first is Laws Whiskey House’s Honey Cask Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey starts with its Four Grain Straight Bourbon, which is re-aged in barrels previously used to hold raw, unprocessed honey from Bee Squared Apiaries in Colorado. The honey coats the barrel’s interior, mingling with bourbon remnants and char, imparting a subtle sweetness during the second aging phase.
This whiskey highlights notes of black tea, orange blossom, and Rocky Mountain strawberries, offering a balanced sweetness that reflects Colorado’s local environment. It is priced at $84.99 and is available at the Laws Whiskey House Tasting Room, online, and in select retail locations.
Secondly, the Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey, which is finished in a Cognac Foeder, is crafted using a solera aging method. The Four Grain Bourbon is first aged in various French Cognac casks and then transferred to a 50-year-old, 1,600-gallon Cognac foeder for secondary maturation.
This process enhances the bourbon’s complexity, introducing flavors of spiced apple butter, toasted wood, and raisin, with notes of stewed fruit and black tea on the nose. Retailing for $84.99, this annual release is available at the Laws Whiskey House Tasting Room, online, and in select stores. It is designed for those looking for a unique and nuanced whiskey experience.
“These Specialty Finishes are a true reflection of Colorado—the flavors, the climate, the grains, and the care that goes into every step,” says Al Laws, founder and president of Laws Whiskey House. “These annual releases are all about pushing boundaries and celebrating the unique story of every ingredient and barrel.
“The Honey Cask Finish showcases local honey that supports Colorado’s biodiversity, adding a sweetness you won’t find anywhere else. The Cognac Foeder Finish offers a different take on Colorado’s character: Denver is located in a high-elevation desert, meaning the climate is dry, has large temperature swings, and big barometric pressure changes with storm cycles. These conditions, when combined with the solera method, help to create a rich, evolving complexity that deepens with each passing year.”
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Batch 041: Persimmon Infused
Chattanooga Whiskey has introduced Batch 041: Persimmon Infused, the latest in its Experimental Single Batch Series. This fall-inspired bourbon liqueur features over 140 pounds of dried persimmons and an infusion of eight other dried fruits, spices, and botanicals.
The whiskey starts with a blend of five bourbon mash bills, each aged for more than three years in toasted and charred oak barrels. The bourbon is then infused with persimmons, dates, fenugreek seeds, gentian, vanilla, cinnamon, orange peel, cardamom, and cane sugar. This small-batch release, crafted from just five barrels, incorporates smoked, roasted, and toasted malts, enhancing the complexity of its flavor profile.
“For this release, our team decided to ‘opt out’ of pumpkin spice and focus on one of the more underrated fall and winter fruits: persimmons,” said Grant McCracken, Founding Distiller. “This fruit has one of the most unique flavor profiles of any tree fruit – and naturally complements our high malt style of bourbon.”
Bottled at 90.4 proof, Batch 041 offers notes of maple syrup, dried apricot, cinnamon toast, citrus zest, and sweet potato pie. Priced at $54.99, it is available at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery and online via Seelbachs.com for select states.
Pendleton 1910 Bourbon
Pendleton Whisky has expanded its portfolio with the release of Pendleton 1910 Bourbon, a 90-proof straight American bourbon aged for ten years in #3 char White American Oak barrels. Crafted from a blend of high and low rye bourbons, it is cut to proof with glacier-fed spring water from Oregon’s Mt. Hood. This premium bourbon offers a robust flavor profile with notes of caramel, vanilla, and rye spice, complemented by its golden amber hue.
Named after the first year of the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo in 1910, this release celebrates the Western heritage of Pendleton, Oregon. The bottle design reflects the craftsmanship of a prize rodeo saddle, tying the spirit of the American West to the whiskey. Pendleton 1910 Bourbon joins the brand’s existing Canadian Whisky and Pendleton 1910 Rye, further expanding its appeal to bourbon enthusiasts nationwide.
Available now online and at select retailers, Pendleton 1910 Bourbon will launch nationwide by February 2025, recommended neat, on the rocks, or in a classic cocktail like the Cowboy Gold Rush
Hidden Barn 2024 Madeira Finished Bourbon
Hidden Barn Bourbon has announced the release of its 2024 Madeira-finished bourbon, named “Perfect Harmony.” This release combines six-year-old bourbon with a seven-month finishing period in Madeira casks, resulting in a balanced and nuanced spirit.
Distilled by Master Distiller Royce Neeley, the bourbon features a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley. After aging in Madeira barrels, the bourbon undergoes open-air vatting for several days, allowing oxidation to enhance the overall profile. Master Blender Jackie Zykan blended eight barrels to achieve the final product, praising its seamless balance. “This year’s Madeira blend is spot on, with the perfect balance of what I was trying to achieve,” said Zykan.
The tasting notes describe a nose of toffee, overripe red fruits, apple pie, and oxidized rose. The palate is dense and creamy, featuring full-bodied vanilla and hints of raisin. A slightly dry finish balances the sweet viscosity, with nutmeg, cardamom, and a touch of mint.
Retailing for $89.99, Perfect Harmony is available at the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Kentucky, online, and at select retailers in several states, including Kentucky, Indiana, California, and New York. This release marks the third in Hidden Barn’s Madeira finish series.
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