New releases this week include a Mizunara Oak Finish from Chicken Cock Whiskey and a Flagship Bourbon from Ingram’s River Aged. Hidden Barn releases a Wheated Bourbon, and Hard Truth Distilling unveils four new expressions.
Let’s take a closer look at the new releases from the past week.
Chicken Cock Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish
Chicken Cock Whiskey has announced its newest annual tin release, the Chicken Cock Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish. Only 10 barrels were used to create this extremely limited edition whiskey.
In a Japanese-inspired interpretation of the ‘Chicken Cock’ brand, the Onagadori rooster served as inspiration for the packaging, as well as for the whiskey itself. The Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish is Chicken Cock’s award-winning Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Mizunara casks.
Mizunara is a rare type of Japanese oak that imparts distinctive notes of sandalwood and Japanese incense onto whiskey when used for maturation. The oak is notoriously difficult to work with, and must be at least 200 years old before it can be coopered to make whiskey casks. As such, Mizunara oak finished whiskey is extremely rare and highly sought after.
“The unique chemistry and structure of the Mizunara wood imparts a different flavor than American oak, including smoother, sweeter notes,” says Master Distiller Gregg Snyder. “The time it takes to grow, its rarity, the thoughtful selection process, and the care taken in tasting and resting our Mizunara has resulted in one of the richest, smoothest and unique-tasting whiskeys we’ve ever produced.
The Chicken Cock Mizunara Japanese Oak Finish is available online at chickencockwhiskey.com and via selected retailers across the US for $249.99.
Hard Truth Distilling Co., Four New Whiskeys
Hard Truth Distilling Co. has announced the release of four new whiskeys: Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend, Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend, Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye, and Maple Brûlée Rye.
Let’s take a look at some of the details about these new whiskeys:
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Barrel Finished Reserve 2024 Blend
- Blend composition: Cognac 31 percent, Sauternes 26 percent, PX Sherry 26 percent, and PX Brandy 17 percent.
- Bottled at cask strength at 116.8 proof (58.4 percent ABV)
- Mash bill: 94% rye, 6% malted barley
- Batch size: 11 barrels
- Aged 3 years
- Rested on: Toasted Jupilles French oak
- MSRP: $89.99
- 11 barrels were produced.
- Released Sept. 7, 2024.
This whiskey is “an homage to the traditional cigar blend whiskey,” according to a brand press release. Finished in Jupilles French Oak, the resulting whiskey is silky smooth yet complex.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Double-Oaked Sweet Mash Rye
- Bottled at cask strength, 106.9 proof (53.54 percent ABV)
- Sixteen barrels produced
- Aged 5+ years
- MSRP, $69.99
- Released Sept. 7, 2024
Hard Truth Distilling’s classic Sweet Mash Rye (94% rye, 6% malted barley) was aged for over two years initially, before being placed in a second set of new, charred American oak barrels for an additional 3 years.
Cooperage expert, Chris Moore, said: “We let the whiskey speak to us, and, ultimately, we found the perfect moment to release this.”
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend
- Blend composition: 20 percent Chocolate Malt Rye, 50 percent Caramel Malt Rye, and 30 percent Malted Rye
- Bottled at cask strength, 115 proof (57.5 percent ABV)
- Twenty barrels produced
- Aged 4+ years
- MSRP: $89.99
- Released: Sept. 7, 2024
This is an annual release of Hard Truth Distilling Co.’s Master Distiller’s Reserve. This year, three different mash bills were combined to make the blend: Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt, Caramel Malt, and Malted Rye Sweet Mash Ryes.
Each of these mash bills has previously been used to create one of Hard Truth’s award-winning whiskeys. In 2024, the blend has added complexity, thanks to two additional years of maturation.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Barrel Finish Reserve Maple Brûlée Rye
- Mash bill: 69 percent rye, 20 percent corn, 11 percent malted barley
- Rested just over one year in maple brûlée barrels, then briefly on Jupilles French Oak
- Bottled at cask strength
- Eight barrels produced
- Aged 4+ years
- MSRP: $89.99
- Release: Sept. 28, 2024
And now for a whiskey that has not yet been released, but is already causing a stir. This rye whiskey spent three years in charred American white oak barrels, before finishing for over 12 months in maple brûlée barrels.
The maple brûlée barrels, according to a brand press release, are from the Tonnellerie Moreau cooperage in Quebec. “[The barrels] are charred a second time after aging bourbon for 7-9 years and maple syrup for a year. The barrels did take the long route to Hard Truth, however. Before heading to Canada, they were aging syrup at Bissell Maple Farm in Jefferson, Ohio.”
Once the whiskey had matured in the maple barrels, the whiskey briefly rested in Jupilles French Oak.
The whiskey will be released on September 28th, 2024.
Ingram River Aged 2024 Flagship Bourbon
O.H. Ingram River Aged has revealed its flagship bourbon for 2024. Comprised of just six barrels, the release is extremely limited in nature.
The expression was formally introduced to the world at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival on September 14th, 2024. Clocking in at 117.7 proof, the whiskey was aged for six years and six months before being hand-selected by Founder, Hank Ingram, and Master Blender, Scott Beyer.
“This is my favorite time of year – when we can share the best of what makes aging on the water so special,” said Ingram. “Everything we make is unique as we harness the power of the Mississippi River, but our Flagship Bourbon stands alone for its complexity and character. This year, we selected six barrels that met our strict criteria and blended together beautifully. The 2024 Flagship is the perfect bourbon for a special occasion – one that tells a story with every sip. We hope you are able to get a hold of this year’s special release to experience this dynamic bourbon for yourself. We are quite proud of it!”
Tasting notes for the new release include “roasted nits, cherry hard candy, clove and hints of coconut” on the nose. This is followed by “honeysuckle, orange zest, vanilla, baking spices” on the palate. The finish is long “with notes of black tea, dark chocolate, cinnamon and oak.”
You can find your nearest Ingram’s stockist here.
Hidden Barn Wheated Bourbon
Last but not least, Hidden Barn has unveiled its first-ever organic wheated bourbon, bottled at 106.2 proof. The whiskey was distilled using organic grains that were certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The final expression was crafted by Master Blender, Jackie Zykan, using barrels sourced from the Journeyman Distillery in Michigan. Just nine barrels were used to make the blend, which is now available for $79.99 in selected states.
“I’ve wanted to create an organic bourbon for a long time, so this has been a passion project for me,” said Zykan. “For me, blending barrels is all about finding balance and harmony while still showcasing individuality. The nine barrels used for this blend were meticulously selected from a very large pool of inventory with much intention. The combination of the high-quality organic grains used in the distillation with the variable entry proofs used in the maturation – that range in proof from low to high – led to everything integrating beautifully.”
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Tasting notes for the whiskey include “buttery caramel combined with tart green apple and sweet orange. The palate is medium-bodied, where robust white pepper transitions into a lengthy and clean tobacco finish.”
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