7 New Whiskeys You Should Know About (2024)

Since I recently razzled and dazzled you with my list of some of the best Bourbon Unicorns of the Great Fall Release Season, I wanted to turn the spotlight onto some new releases you might actually BE ABLE TO FIND on store shelves near you. Naturally, unicorns get all of the attention this season, but these Woodland Whiskey Fairies, as we’ll call them, have just as much magic and wonder as the big horses with horns.

Some of these are new brand extensions from larger distilleries, and others are solid offerings from small but mighty operations. They’re all great and are worth the effort to track down. Woodland Whiskey Fairies, after all, bring enchantment to any bottle they touch.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon

106 Proof | $49.99

It’s no surprise Bardstown Bourbon Co. is upping its wheated bourbon game given that Master Distiller Steve Nally worked over 30 years at Maker’s Mark, one of the leading brands of the wheated mash bill. The newest to BBCo’s Origin Series is a High Wheat recipe featuring a mash bill of 53% corn, 39% wheat and 8% malted barley. The company’s other wheated bourbon has a more standard mash bill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley), so we’re talking an increase of 19% wheat — which adds an incredible amount of texture and taste. This also has a low barrel entry proof of 108, which likely contributes to the beautiful viscosity.

Tasting Notes: The nose reminds me of a Werther’s Original with a little apricot mixed in. And on the palate, the bourbon oozes with divine delicacy. I get layers of rich caramel drizzle atop vanilla bean ice cream, milk chocolate, and even some almonds sprinkled on top. In my notes, I described it as oozing with Grandma hugs, so there you go. The finish lingers with a little maple and brown sugar. This might become my new go-to bourbon, especially as the weather cools.

Milam & Greene Unabridged Bourbon Vol. 3

118 Proof | $94.99

They’re doing great things at this unassuming Texas distillery, including releasing excellent products that exemplify the art of the blend. They’ve got a top-notch team at the helm as well, including Master Distiller Marlene Holmes, formerly of Jim Beam, and Master Blender Heather Greene. What’s unique about M&G is they use bourbon distilled at their own place in Blanco, Texas, on copper pot stills, as well as in Kentucky (at Bardstown Bourbon Co.) on classic column stills using a proprietary yeast recipe and mash bill. This new release is a masterful blend Kentucky bourbon (aged 6-10 years); Texas bourbon (aged 4 years) made with malted rye; Tennessee bourbon (aged 4 years); and more Kentucky bourbon (aged 3.5 years) that was made with malted rye as well.

Tasting Notes: The nose and color on this are incredible, and the taste is a bouquet of warm baking spices, peanut brittle, and milk chocolate. The finish lingers and begs you to have another sip. Milam & Greene has been an industry secret for far too long. It’s time we share this with the world.

Angel’s Envy Triple Oak

92 Proof | $74.99

Most of us are familiar with double oak whiskeys, but this new permanent brand extension from Angel’s Envy is a blend of bourbon finished in three different types of barrels: Hungarian Oak from Hungary, Chinkapin Oak from Kentucky, and French Oak from France. The result is a well-balanced sipping whiskey that showcases how different woods can pull different levels of flavor, aroma and overall spirit uniqueness. Master Distiller Owen Martin is doing great things here, and this is proof. This release should be available nation-wide.

Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get honey and green apple with a pinch of cinnamon. And on first sip, I get a hint of toasted oak notes with a rush of warm vanilla, fig, and apricot. The finish is long and lingering, with notes of black pepper and brown sugar.

Penelope Estate Collection: Private Select

101.2 Proof | $79.99

Penelope is going the premium route with this new Estate Collection lineup featuring three limited whiskeys: Founders Reserve, Private Select, and Single Barrel. We’ll just focus on the Private Select here, which is a blend of 9-year-old four-grain bourbons from Kentucky and Indiana. The mash bill is 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat, and 5% malted barley, and the bourbon is non-chill filtered. The label is also quite sharp, but I’ve always been a fan of this brand and its aesthetics — and its whiskey, of course!

Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get a big whiff of vanilla — almost like a vanilla whipped cream — along with toasted oak and a hint of butterscotch. On the palate, I get toasted marshmallow and baked cherries, along with a pinch of black pepper and cinnamon. The finish is long with notes of simple syrup and brown sugar.

Blue Note Honey Rye Cask

117.2 Proof | $64.99

I admit I’m a sucker for honey barrel finishes, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Blue Note out of Memphis has been doing some fun things with whiskey, and this one is worth searching for. The Honey Rye Cask was created by taking rye whiskey (95% rye, 5% malted barley) made at Bardstown Bourbon Co. that aged at least 3 years and then putting it into a barrel that once held local honey. And for the sugar on top, this is bottled at cask strength.

Tasting Notes: The honey really comes through on the nose, with a nostalgic note of Honey Nut Cheerio’s. On the palate, the rye is the star here, with bold notes of black pepper, toasted marshmallow, and baked cherries. And the honey comes back on the finish to quell those hot, cask-strength tingles. I’m going to sip this one at the next campfire.

Hard Truth Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye

106.9 Proof | $69.99

This Indiana craft distillery has been showing up on industry lists and awards lately, and it’s 100% warranted. Master Distiller Bryan Smith knows what he likes, and he’s making great whiskeys in the sweet mash style. This rye whiskey (96% rye, 4% malted barley) was aged and blended before it was finished in second, new charred oak barrels for an additional three years. Keep an eye out for Hard Truth. I’m betting we’ll be hearing more from them soon.

Tasting Notes: This double oak rye is dark and mysterious, showcasing an aroma of fresh-baked brownies and oak. That extra oak carries through on the palate, along with rich notes of caramel, fig, and burnt marshmallow. The finish is savory, with notes of cinnamon and apple sauce.

Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish

105 Proof | $69.99

This craft distillery out of Washington State has been making some great whiskeys in the last couple of years, and this one is definitely worth mentioning. This new whiskey is part of the distillery’s annual Harvest Release, and it features mature bourbon made with Washington-grown grains that was then finished in freshly dumped sauternes casks. Sauternes is a sweet French white wine.

Tasting Notes: The nose is quite interesting, because I get a bouquet of stone fruits along with the familiar bourbon notes of rich caramel and tobacco. The palate is equally intriguing with bright flavors like pear and green apple, as well as subtle notes of tropical fruits like pineapple and kiwi, likely from the wine influence. Some of these finishes can be overdone, but this one is perfectly balanced.