I’m a little late with August this month. Life outside of Whisk(e)y Apostle has been a little hectic. Here’s what we heard about in August.
Parker’s Heritage Collection, 4th Edition
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 65.6%
Price: $79.99
This is the newest release in the acclaimed Parker’s Heritage Collection. This year’s release is a 10 year old wheated bourbon. Heaven Hill began distilling wheated bourbon back in 1999 after they acquired the Old Fitzgerald portfolio. 52 barrels totaling 4,800 bottles are being released so get yours while you can.
Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection
There are two releases this year, both 15 years old. One was aged in new toasted French oak casks and the other was aged in used charred American oak casks seasoned with toasted oak chips.
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 45%
Price: $47/375 ml
I should also note a couple of things about these releases. First, these were both fully matured, not just finished in their respective casks. Second, because these weren’t aged in new charred oak casks these can’t actually be called bourbon. However, they still sound tasty to me!
Canadian Mist Black Diamond
Timeframe: Fall 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $14.99
This is a new release from Canadian Mist that is supposed to be “a richer, more robust blended Canadian whisky.” Is this CM’s answer to Crown Royal Black?
Glendronach Grandeur
Timeframe: Now
ABV: 45.8%
Price: $700
This is a new 31 year old release from Glendronach. Bottled at cask strength, this looks very interesting if you have the means to afford the bottle.
Glendronach 33 Year Old
Timeframe: Now
ABV: 40%
Price: $379.99
This one is another release from Glendronach and is matured in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. I’m not sure why the 31 year old is twice the price of the 33 year old but either way they look to be interesting luxury drams.
The Balvenie Peated Cask 17 Year Old
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: $129.99
This is the latest release in Balvenie’s annual 17 year old releases. This one is finished in casks previously containing exceptionally peaty whisky. Didn’t Glenfiddich do this with Caoran?
The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask
Timeframe: September 2010
ABV: 43%
Price: 59.99
This is a new line extension from Balvenie with their lovely whisky finished in Caribbean rum casks. They’ve had a Golden Rum finished Travel Retail Only bottling at 14 years old for a while. I wonder if this is the same thing released to the masses?
That’s it for August. Balvenie, Glendronach, and Buffalo Trace led the way this month. I also heard about a couple of Benromach releases in their Origins line but no word yet on whether they are coming stateside. As always, if I missed anything please let me know.
Drink wisely my friends,
Richard
RE: The new Balvenie 17yo. The very first Balvenie 17yo in recent history, the one that started the tradition, was aged in casks that previously held peated whisky. That was an amazing dram. One of the best I’ve had. I can’t wait to try this new release. It has big shoes to fill.