In new American whiskey and bourbon releases this week Chattanooga expands its Barrel Finishing Series, Remus Bourbon brings back a limited fan favorite, and Milam & Greene rounds off the Wildlife Collection.
Let’s take a look at the new releases in the American whiskey and bourbon world this week.
Milam & Greene Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon
Milam & Greene has rounded off the 2024 Wildlife Collection with the release of Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon. The final release in the Wildlife Collection explores how climate and weather impact the final profile of a bourbon. As a whole, the collection pays homage to the variety of wild birds in Texas, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
This particular bourbon is named for the bird that is often seen flying above Blanco, TX. The Cooper’s Hawk has reddish bars on its belly, reminiscent of the shade of carefully matured bourbon.
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Distilled from a mash bill comprising 84% corn, 8% rye, and 8% malted barley, the Milam & Greene Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon was barreled on March 8th, 2016. After aging for six years in eight months in Tennessee, it was transported to Texas to age for another year and eight months on the low, south side of the rickhouse. With a final age statement of eight years, four months, and nine days, the bourbon was bottled at 1218.1 proof on July 15th, 2024.
The bourbon whiskey greets the drinker with aromas of caramel, vanilla wafers, dark cherry, toasted oak, and almond. On the palate you will find bread pudding, glazed donuts, apricots, and an aged cigar box. Malt, cola, yeast, and pepper linger on the finish.
The Milam & Greene Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon is available exclusively via the Milam & Greene Whiskey website beginning November 20th at 3 pm CDT.
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“We track the specific effect of how the Texas environment influences and enhances flavor development right down to the barrel placement to select the barrels for the Milam & Greene Wildlife Collection,” says Heather Greene, Milam & Greene Whiskey master blender and CEO. “We don’t regulate the temperature and have plenty of natural airflow through our rickhouses, which allows the outside weather conditions to play a part in the whiskey aging process. When Cooper’s Hawks hunt, their attack maneuver is to fly fast and low to the ground. The barrel we selected for the bottling of this special Cooper’s Hawk Single Barrel Bourbon was aged on a lower rack where the temperature is slightly cooler than the top rack. In a northern climate that might result in lower alcohol, but not in Texas. The massive temperature swings and extended periods of triple-digit heat in our rickhouse fostered rich and complex flavors and high alcohol proof.”
Stoll & Wolfe Rosen Rye Whiskey 4 Year Old
Stoll & Wolfe, based in Lititz, Pennsylvania, has launched a single barrel Rosen Rye, celebrating the legacy of Pennsylvania rye whiskey.
The whiskey is distilled from Rosen rye, a type of winter rye developed in 1910. Over time, the rye was lost due to cross-contamination by more common varieties. However, in 2015 the rye returned to the state when five ounces of seed was planted. Stoll & Wolfe joined this revival largely thanks to Dick Stoll, former master distiller at the historic Pennsylvania Michter’s Distillery (back when it was located in Pennsylvania and unaffiliated with the Michter’s of today). As the last distiller at Michter’s to work with Rosen Rye before the distillery closed, Stoll partnered in 2019 with Stoll & Wolfe head distiller Erik Wolfe to become the first to distill Rosen Rye Whiskey in nearly 50 years.
Today, Stoll & Wolfe is at the forefront of Rosen Rye distilling, with processes such as open cypress tank fermentation mirroring the work done by Stoll at Michter’s.
Stoll & Wolfe Tosen Rye 4 Year Old is bottled at 53.25% ABV. Only 220 bottles have been made available for an RRP of $120. The bottles are available in Pennsylvania and online nationwide. Find out how to get your bottle here.
Tasting notes for the new expression include ginger, brown sugar, vanilla, cream soda, and dark cherry on the nose. The palate delivers rye spice, nutmeg, apricot, dark chocolate, and toasted oak.
A. Smith Bowman Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak
Virginia’s oldest distillery, A. Smith Bowman, has unveiled an experimental whiskey as part of its Abraham Bowman Oak Series. Exploring maturation in various oak species from around the world, this latest release in matured in the classic American white oak.
To achieve this new expression, a blend of liquids was aged in American white oak barrels for 12 years, demonstrating the depth of flavor that can be achieved with this type of maturation.
“We know American White Oak as today’s trusted wood for aging whiskey, but this experiment is about testing numerous oak varietals in pursuit of making the best whiskey possible” said A. Smith Bowman Distillery’s Head Distiller David Bock. “American Oak, as the tried-and-true oak for whiskey making, is a vital part of this experiment as we compare numerous experimental oak options.”
Bottled at 135 proof, the whiskey presents tart apples and dried berries on the nose. On the palate, the complexity comes through in raspberry jam and smoke. A smooth and sweet finish lingers.
“Immediately, what stood out to me was how different American Oak was in comparison to our John J. Single Barrel Bourbon, which is aged for about 9.5-10 years,” said Bock. “A whiskey that has sat for 12+ years has the potential be too oak forward, but I am very pleased that American Oak has a delicious balance of flavor components. When blending American Oak, we landed at 135 proof to showcase the tart apple paired with hints of pepper notes, which makes a really enjoyable spirit that I think our fans will love.”
A.Smith Bowman Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak will be available exclusively through an online lottery which will run from November 25th to December 2nd. Whiskey fans can enter the lottery here for a chance to purchase the whiskey for $79.99.
Remus Gatsby Reserve
Ross & Squib Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, has announced the return of Remus Gatsby Reserve to the Remus Bourbon lineup. Celebrating the era in which F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is set, the bourbon was designed to emulate the distilling practices and spirit of the 1920s.
Remus Gatsby Reserve 2024 Edition features two distinctive bourbon mash bills; 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley; and 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. These bourbons were each aged for a minimum of 15 years and bottled at cask strength (52.45% ABV).
The bourbon boasts aromas of antique leather and tobacco on the nose. The palate is characterized by cherry syrup, walnut and oak, with a finish of walnut, fig, and roasted almonds. Remus Gatsby Reserve is now available in limited quantities for an RRP of $229.99 per bottle.
“Our 2024 Gatsby Reserve is a rich and beautiful expression that contains some of our distillery’s finest 15-year-old reserves of straight bourbon whiskey,” said Ross & Squibb Distillery Master Distiller Ian Stirsman. “This year’s release is a testament to crafting exceptional bourbon and showcasing the best we have to offer.
“We’ve produced exceptional bourbon whiskey over the years at Ross & Squibb – and we worked to elevate our Gatsby Reserve even further to create a truly legendary pour that pays homage to the distilling craft and the spirit of the Roaring ‘20s. This 2024 edition delivers on every point and is likely to become the most highly sought-after member of the Remus Bourbon family.”
Chattanooga Triple Islay Cask Finished
Chattanooga Whiskey has expanded its Barrel Finishing Series with the launch of Triple Islay Cask Finished. This is the sixth release in the series, which explores how finishing casks can affect the Tennessee High Malt whiskey.
With this expression, Chattanooga has explored one of the most famous whisky-producing regions in the world: Islay. Renowned for earthy, smoky, medicinal whiskies, Islay whiskies are characterized by the use of peat-dried barley.
Chattanooga Triple Islay Cask Finished has been finished in three types of Islay casks from three different distilleries, with each barrel contributing a unique profile.
To emphasize the impact of the finishing barrels, the distillers created a blend of three different peated whiskies, each using a specific peated malt from three UK malthouses. This method brings a smoky depth throughout, highlighting the distinct roles of each ingredient, mash bill, and finishing barrel.
The blend of straight whiskeys was aged for over five years, including a six-month finishing period in the Islay casks. The whiskey was then bottled at 111 proof.
“This finishing concept was first introduced as Batch 033 in our Experimental Single Batch Series,” says founding distiller, Grant McCracken. “Despite its Scottish leanings, that original eight-barrel batch quickly became a cult favorite amongst our diehard fans, and was even voted as the best whiskey from Tennessee (International Wine & Spirit Competition). For those who love smoky whiskeys, this one hit the mark.
“One major reason this recipe is so good is that it leverages nearly every step of the process to deliver that classic Islay character. You’ve got three peated mash bills from both pot and column stills, three peated malts from three different malthouses, and three finishing casks from three legendary distilleries. All said and done, I think it’s one of the most layered peated whiskeys you’ll ever encounter.”
Triple Islay Cask Finished is available at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery and on shelves in selected states for an RRP of $59.99.
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