In new American whiskey and bourbon releases this week, Milam & Green expands its Wildlife Collection and Chattanooga bottles in bond. High West unveils Act 12 of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, and Barrell Craft Spirits launches a new series.
Let’s take a look at some of the exciting new releases from the past week.
Milam & Green Barn Owl Single Barrel Bourbon
Expanding its iconic Wildlife Series, Milam & Green Whiskey has launched the new Barn Owl Single Barrel Bourbon. Barn Owl is the fifth release in the Wildlife Series this year. Each release pays tribute to the wild birds in Texas.
The Barn Owl Single Barrel Bourbon is now available exclusively via the Milam & Greene website and at the distillery tasting room for $149.99.
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Distilled from a mash bill comprising 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, the whiskey was aged in Tennessee for six years and eight months. It was then transported to Texas, where it rested for an additional one year and eight months on the highest rack in the rickhouse.
“Barn owls love to roost in the rafters, so for this special release, we plucked the barrel from the top row of our single-story, non-temperature controlled rickhouse,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey CEO. “Typically barrels on the top row are exposed to more heat, so they lose more water to evaporation. That’s the ‘Angle’s Share.’ Water molecules are smaller than alcohol molecules, which makes it easier for them to escape through the pores of the barrel in hot and dry conditions. That increases the proof and concentrates the flavors in the barrel. This whiskey soars.”
The whiskey was bottled from single cask #508 at 65% ABV on July 15th, 2024. Drinkers can expect aromas of sweet almond, maple syrup, cedar, barbeque smoke, brûléed turbinado sugar, and cherry Chapstick. It has a viscous mouthfeel layered with a big rush of cherry flavor, dates, chocolate toffee bar, and rye toast. The finish features more cherry flavor as well as hints of biscuit and caramel.”
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“Barn Owls are nocturnal and nearly silent in flight, so catching a glimpse of one is truly special,” said Milam & Greene’s Head Whiskey Maker, Rikk Munroe. “Much like the wild Barn Owl, this whiskey is quite rare with only 158 bottles harvested from the barrel at a whopping 130 proof. Whiskey collectors will have to be quick to catch this Barn Owl Single Barrel Bourbon.”
Chattanooga Bottled In Bond: Fall 2020 Vintage
Chattanooga Whiskey has released its newest Bottled In Bond expression, which was distilled in the Fall of 2020 at Chattanooga Whiskey’s Riverfront Distillery. The distillery has undertaken an effort to produce a new vintage BIB expression for each 6-month distilling season.
The whiskey was distilled from a new mash bill known as “SB101”. The five-grain mash bill contains two varieties of drum-roasted caramel malted barley. The resulting flavors of chocolate malt and pecan pie evoke thoughts of winter.
“Like nearly every one of our recipes, ‘Single Barrel 101’ began its life as an Experimental Single Barrel,” says Grant McCracken, Founding Distiller. “After its initial release in 2020, we quickly scaled the recipe to our Riverfront Distillery just a month later – it was that good. Four years later, ‘SB101’ shows off why we picked it in the first place – perfectly complementing the other mash bills and adding multiple layers of caramel richness to the blend.”
The limited edition whiskey was made in four batches of just 10 barrels each and is now available in selected states for an RRP of $52.99. Limited quantities are also available via Seelbachs.com.
High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12
High West has unveiled Act 12 of its beloved ‘A Midwinter Night’s Dram’. A warming dram, the whiskey has become a fan favorite, particularly in the colder months. A Midwinter Night’s Dram is available for purchase at the High West Saloon as well as via the distillery website for an SRP of $149.99.
Act 12 was distilled from a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley and aged in virgin American white oak. Then, the spirit underwent a finishing period in Ruby and Tawny port casks. The resulting whiskey is heavy on the fruit and spice. Full tasting notes courtesy of High West:
“On the Nose: Brandied cherries, Calimyrna figs, pecan cinnamon rolls, allspice berries, grapefruit zest, French oak shavings, hayride in the fall
Tasting Notes: Poached white peaches, stewed rhubarb, Italian tiramisu, candied ginger, clove, weathered cinnamon bark, fresh-pulled espresso, raspberry tarte on a cedar plank
Finish: Silky and sumptuous – sticky toffee pudding served with spiced plum tea”
Barrell Craft Spirits 20-Year Toasted Single Barrel
Finally, Barrell Craft Spirits has unveiled an extremely limited Toasted Single Barrel Bourbon, aged for 20 years. Just 180 bottles have been produced, with 30 of these available exclusively at the BCS Blending Facility located at 2100 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown, KY 40299.
This is the first in an annual series by Barrell Craft Spirits, with a further eight barrels waiting to be bottled. The series came about when bourbon expert, Fred Minnick, sampled the BCS 15 Year Old Gray Label Bourbon in 2018. A portion of this blend was set aside into nine American oak barrels, toasted to the distillery’s exact specifications. This is the first bourbon to be declared ready to drink. Keep an eye on Barrell Craft Spirits for additional releases in the future.
You can purchase one of just 180 bottles here for $199.99.
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