The Top Pours of 2024

PRODUCER'S NOTES: "This wonderful bourbon is bottled as close to barrel proof as possible. We add just a splash of our Kentucky limestone well water when we empty the barrels for bottling. Thus, this whiskey is as smooth as any you will find. The more water you add to whiskey from its natural barrel proof to its bottle proof, the harsher it becomes. This 107 barrel proof seems to be just right."

In 1893, when he was 18 years old, Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr. began working as a salesman for the liquor wholesaler, W.L. Weller & Sons. Fifteen years later, he and another Weller salesman bought the firm. In 1910 they acquired the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, which had started as a sour mash whiskey distillery in 1872.

The Stitzel Distillery supplied much of the whiskey sold by the Weller wholesale firm. The consolidation coincided with prohibition, during which time the Stitzel-Weller firm was licensed by the government to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes. One of their labels that was introduced on the market just before prohibition was Old Rip Van Winkle. After prohibition, the brand was not reintroduced until after 1972 when the Stitzel-Weller distillery and its current brand names (including W. L. Weller, Old Fitzgerald, Rebel Yell, and Cabin Still) were sold to other companies.The only brand name the Van Winkle family had kept the rights to was the pre-prohibition brand Old Rip Van Winkle.

The Stitzel-Weller Distillery was opened on the day of the Kentucky Derby in 1935, just outside Louisville in Shively, Kentucky. At the time of his death in 1965 at the age of 89, Pappy Van Winkle was the oldest active distiller in the nation. A photo of him lighting a cigar graces the bottle's label.

Sometime after the Stitzel-Weller distillery was sold in 1972, Julian Van Winkle, Jr. resurrected the pre-prohibition Old Rip Van Winkle brand and initially used old whiskey stocks from the distillery for its bottlings. Julian Jr. died in 1981 and Julian Van Winkle, III (Pappy's grandson) took over the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery company.

After the initial sale in 1972, the Stitzel-Weller distillery was eventually closed completely in 1991.

Since 2002, the Van Winkle brands have been distilled and bottled by the Sazerac Company at the Buffalo Trace Distillery as a joint venture with the Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery company.

In 2013, Julian Preston Van Winkle III, said the 2013 bottlings of the 23-year brand expression "may be the last of its kind", since at that point there was very little left of the aging stock from the Stitzel-Weller distillery (although he said the brand would not be discontinued). The makers say that they do not want to boost production, as there is considerable long-term risk, and they do not want to be left holding copious quantities of unsaleable bourbon should tastes, fashions or circumstances change.

This extremely hearty whiskey ages in new charred oak barrels for no less than 15 years. Straight out of the barrel, uncut and unfiltered, the taste is powerful, flavorful and intense. Lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat and molasses. Underlying notes of dates, tobacco, dark berries, spearmint and a hint of coffee round out the palate.

Note: The actual year might differ from the bottle shown in the picture. If you want to request a specific year please contact us.

The Bourbon Concierge worked with the Buffalo Trace Distillery and selected an amazing, private barrel of Blanton's!  This special bottling is a beautiful expression of vanilla, baking spice, and mellow oak.  As this is an exclusive single barrel, when it's gone, it's gone forever!

*Note* We cannot guarantee specific letters or dump dates.  Please contact our concierge if you have a specific request.  Please see our FAQ and terms of service for further details about Blanton's known wax and possible leak issues as it relates to shipping and orders as these are known manufacturer defects and not eligible for refunds based on minor issues

Uncut and unfiltered, this hand-bottled bourbon is barrel proof. Weller substitutes wheat for the traditional rye grain, a production method pioneered by W.L. Weller. Fragrant scents of caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee and pipe tobacco. The palate tastes of marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs and dates. This whiskey finishes smooth, composed and flavorfully sweet.

Note: The actual year might differ from the bottle shown in the picture. If you want to request a specific year, please contact us.

700ml bottlings

A blend of 11- and 12-year-old

Aging our whisky for over 10 years wasn't something we ever did. Not because we didn't believe in it but because we hadn't found our way of doing it. Maker’s Mark® Cellar Aged defines an older whisky that’s distinctly Maker’s. By embracing both the unique impact that our warehouse and cellar maturation have on flavor, we've created an older expression that is richer and more complex whilst staying true to the founder's taste vision of bourbon without the bite.

Bottled at 117.2, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old bourbon is an example of Kentucky craft whiskey excellence, with pronounced notes of tobacco and mature oak and a long lasting finish.

PROOF
117.2

AROMA
Dried fruits, caramel, nutmeg, clove, and oak with distillery’s signature earthiness

TASTE
Spiced fruits, including cherry and plum, transition to notes of molasses, coffee, tobacco, and mature oak

FINISH
Long lasting finish with hints of dark cocoa, caramel, and smooth oak

Each year an unstoppable search for whiskey wonder beckons The Boss Hog to the far corners of the earth... a karmic quest that Knows No Bounds, beginning with Single Barrel Rye.

For this, our eleventh utterance of the mantra, WhistlePig's whiskey makers journey to Rajasthan, India - the Land of Kings - in search of precious spices to forge the world’s first Thandai barrel aged Rye. An alluring elixir served in celebration of victory and creation, Thandai joins the shakti of Straight Rye Whiskey with a floral meditation of saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, further enlivened by fennel, poppy and black peppercorn. The result is a splendid wellspring of strength and majesty; a saga befitting the maharajah of Rye.

Fearlessly First Among all Whiskeys, Powerfully Complex and Bottled at Proof, The Juggernaut hails to the grandest of all The Boss Hog promises... Stupendous!

This 2024 Limited Edition release is a symphony of lively flavors that captivate the senses with every sip. Creamy vanilla, honey and brown sugar on the nose are followed by the flavors of ripe berries and tangy citrus on the palate. Intertwined are herbal notes and Four Roses' signature mellow spice to balance out the layers of complexity and sweetness with a delicate finish – for a pour that's ready to savor and enjoy.
108.2 Proof / Aged 12 - 20 Years

**This may be filled with a 700ml or 750ml bottling**

*May be 700ml or 750ml bottlings*

A blend of 12- and 13-year-old

Aging our whisky for over 10 years wasn't something we ever did. Not because we didn't believe in it but because we hadn't found our way of doing it. Maker’s Mark® Cellar Aged defines an older whisky that’s distinctly Maker’s. By embracing both the unique impact that our warehouse and cellar maturation have on flavor, we've created an older expression that is richer and more complex whilst staying true to the founder's taste vision of bourbon without the bite. The 2024 Release of Cellar Aged is an artistic blend of 12- and 13-year-old barrels to achieve the taste vision for a brighter, fruiter and more complex Maker’s Mark. 

2024 - 01, "SPRINGFIELD BATCH"

MASTER DISTILLER NOTES
The first Booker’s batch of 2024 is called the Springfield Batch to honor my dad’s hometown of Springfield, Kentucky. This rural town in central Kentucky is where Booker Noe, my dad was born and raised. He worked on many farms when he was growing up, from the hay fields to tobacco patches. The batch is made up of 5 production dates stored in 4 different aging warehouses. The age is 7 years, 7 Months, 8 days and is 124.5 proof. The breakdown of barrel storage for Booker’s “Springfield Batch” is as follows:

17% came from the 5th floor of 9-story warehouse G

7% came from the 4th floor of 9-story warehouse H

31% came from the 5th floor of 7-story warehouse Z

45% came from the 4th floor of 7-story warehouse 3

The color of this Booker’s batch is a rich golden amber from over 7 years of aging in the new white oak barrels. The nose has a nice, pleasant aroma of sweet brown sugars and vanilla. The taste is balanced with a pleasant heat. The finish is long and warm which I appreciated during the cold days we experienced in January here in Kentucky. I know Dad would love tasting this batch and sharing stories about his hometown. I hope you enjoy this first batch of Booker’s for 2024.

We're proud to introduce a new collection of extra-aged, ultra-premium American Whiskeys to our portfolio. The Heaven Hill Heritage Collection exemplifies the true craftsmanship, patience and consistency that are hallmarks of our almost 90 years of whiskey-making traditions. With new editions released every spring, this collection features Straight American Whiskeys from one of our six traditional mashbills. Ages vary by release but all editions feature our oldest stocks of barrels.

The 2024 release of the Heaven Hill Heritage Collection is an 18-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bottled without chill filtering, this 120 proof Whiskey showcases our Bourbon mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley. As noted on the label for added transparency, this year’s release consists of 133 barrels that were produced in December 2005 and aged on the third floor of rickhouse 1I.

18-Year-Old Tasting Notes
Color: Polished mahogany
Nose: Dried flowers and black tea; old oak and toasted almonds
Taste: Vanilla and caramel with leather and oak char; peppery spices, more caramel and a hint of orange oil
Finish: Big spices with a long, warm and dry finish

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller, announced the first line extension and inaugural Little Book series, Little Book The Infinite: Edition 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The newest release honors more than 200 years of Beam and Noe family history through a blend of whiskeys laid down by three trailblazing American Whiskey distillers: 6th Generation Master Distiller, Booker Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller Fred Noe, and 8th Generation Master Distiller, Freddie Noe. Little Book The Infinite: Edition 1 will serve as the foundation of the line extension utilizing liquid from generations of the Noe Family through every future release.

In the Fred B. Noe distillery at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.’s Clermont campus, Freddie Noe was experimenting with blending varying aged whiskeys, when he sought to blend barrels his father, Fred Noe, and grandfather, Booker Noe, laid down, resulting in a perfectly balanced profile forming The Infinite.

Each year, new whiskey will be added to the blend, delivering an ever-evolving confluence for a unique experience while pushing the boundaries of flavor and tradition. It’s this initial, proprietary blend that sets the series apart from other Little Book chapters.

*May be 700ml or 750ml bottlings*

A blend of 11-, 13-, and 14-year-old

When creating Cellar Aged, we set out to do something new without forgetting who we are or what we stand for. Creating a bourbon that’s always aged to taste, not time. A bourbon without the bite, that’s always smooth. Aging our whisky for over a decade wasn’t something we ever did. Not because we didn’t believe in it, but because we hadn’t found our way of doing it. In many ways, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged defines an older whisky, that’s distinctly Maker’s. One rooted in challenging convention, asking "what if" and building on a taste vision that’s generations in the making. By embracing both the maturation impact of our traditional warehouse and the unique maturation impact of our Limestone Cellar, we’ve created an expression that's richer and complex, without the bitterness. The 2025 release is a blend of 11-, 13- and 14-year-old Maker’s Mark, delivering a fruitier, deeper and darker bourbon.

WhistlePig has become the blockbuster franchise of whiskey. Every release generates the kind of anticipation usually reserved for summer Marvel releases. 

Their Boss Hog series, now in its twelfth year (and having picked up some major hardware over the years: Best in Show at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Best of the Best by Robb Report multiple times, and Best Rye Whiskey at various competitions), remains the most collectible limited edition series in American whiskey, a simply stunning accomplishment, given how many distilleries are desperately trying to create their own cult followings.

Now comes Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame: a single barrel, cask strength rye that takes a hard left turn into ancient Mexico tradition.

Matured in Pulque Curado de Cacao barrels, which have been seasoned with agave-fermented pulque and cured with cacao and Mexican chili peppers, it somehow manages to summon the complex essence of Xocolatl, the sacred chili chocolate drink that neither the Aztecs nor we, it seems, are able to get enough of.

It's the world's first Pulque Curado barrel finish for rye whiskey, because, apparently, regular barrel finishes have become too pedestrian for WhistlePig's ambitions. It also happens to be among WhistlePig's oldest rye whiskeys, not to mention among its most potent (with a powerful proof that clocks in between 104.8-108.4).

From the first nosing, you get caramel, dark chocolate, and orange zest that hints at the wild ride ahead. The palate delivers notes of bright citrus balanced by soft oak and cocoa with wave upon wave of subtle earthy spice, while the finish brings a dramatic one-two burst of savory cacao that gives way, marvelously, to herbaceous chili pepper.

A whisky that defies nearly every expectation … as it dazzles your mind and your palate, both. 

And by the way, the packing is every bit the equal of the liquid within. Each bottle is crowned with an equally collectible Vermont handmade pewter topper depicting a feathered pig deity, wielding Aztec chilis and a traditional chocolate whisk. 

These collectible pewter toppers are designed and cast by hand just 11 miles from the WhistlePig Farm, while each back label features NFC technology for collector registration and authentication.

This is a must-have for rye lovers, for WhistlePig fans — really, for anyone who loves great American craft.

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey - Limited Release

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey, a new uncut, unfiltered rye recipe, is the 13th release to join the Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Collection. Aged at Buffalo Trace Distillery, this limited-edition release is bottled at 126 proof and crafted with the highest standards of quality and innovation first introduced to the industry by its namesake. 

The 18th edition of the Parker's Heritage Collection® consists of 14-year-old Malt Whiskey aged in the upper floors of Rickhouses O and Q. Then, barrels that previously held Cognac were reconstructed to include a handful of new heavy toast staves. The Malt Whiskey was then rebarreled in the reconstructed barrels and aged for almost four months. Bottled at 107 proof without chill filtration, the rebarreling transforms the Malt Whiskey's earthy, herbal characteristics into complex notes of molasses, dark chocolate, and dried summer fruit.

This product contains typical hairline and vertical wax cracking as is frequent on these bottles.

The 2024 expression is a 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Approximately 5,100 bottles will be produced.