New U.S. Releases – July ’10

July was pretty heavy on the American whiskey announcements. This is to be expected leading up to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September. Here’s what I heard about in July.

Evan Williams Cherry Reserve Kentucky Liqueur
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 35%
Price: $14.99
This is a marriage of extra-aged Evan Williams Bourbon and natural cherry flavor. Apparently the Evan Williams Honey Reserve that came out last fall was pretty popular. So much so that they are coming out with a Cherry version. Look out Red Stagg!

Four Roses 2010 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 55.05% or 56.2% (i got conflicting information)
Price: $75
Four Roses is replacing their annual Mariage releases (there were actually only two) with an annual limited release small batch. It gives them a little more flexibility by using more whiskeys and it gives their annual releases marketing consistency with the Limited Edition Single Barrel releases. For you whiskey geeks out there (who isn’t?) this will be comprised of three different recipes: 15 Year Old OBSV, 11 Year Old OBSK, and 10 Year Old OESK.

Parker’s Heritage Collection 4th Edition
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 63.9%
Price: $80
This year’s release will be a 10 year old barrel proof, unchillfiltered wheated bourbon. 4,800 bottles will be released in total so get it while you can.

Redemption Rye
Timeframe: Now in select markets
ABV: 46%
Price: $26
This is a new two year old rye whiskey made of 95% rye. It’s always exciting to see new ryes coming onto the market!.

Woodford Master Distiller’s Collection Maple Wood Finish
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: ?
Price: ?
We’re still short on details but this sounds pretty yummy to me!

Knob Creek Single Barrel
Beam is short on details with this one. All I know is that they are targeting January 2011 for a roll out.

Cardhu 12 Year Old
Not really a new release but Cardhu had been absent from the U.S. market for some time. It’s coming back and can already be found in certain markets. $42.99 and 40% ABV.

That’s it for July. Let me know if you know of anything that I might have missed.

Drink wisely my friends,

Richard