Possible New Finds for The 2023 Holiday Season
From time to time, I get emails with new releases and products that will be coming to market. I wanted to share a few of the recent updates I received for this 2023 holiday season.
Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey is the first American Single Malt Whiskey to be released from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. under Freddie Noe, 8th Generation Master Distiller of the Fred B. Noe Distillery. As a formally undefined category, Freddie Noe purposefully developed his own guidelines and defining factors for American Single Malt Whiskey while operating under the ultimate creative constraint – using a single grain. Clermont Steep is a product of singular focus and results in a singularly focused whiskey experience.
47% ABV | SRP: $59.99
ARDRAY™ Blended Scotch Whisky – Developed by Beam Suntory’s Chief Blender for Scotch, Calum Fraser, and Suntory’s team of blenders from Japan, ARDRAY Blended Scotch Whisky presents a fresh perspective to Scotch Whisky.
48% ABV | SRP: $85
Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series – This trilogy features three Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys and takes whiskey fans on a journey of ‘Kentucky Terroir’. All three expressions are aged for 17 years with the same mash bill — the only difference being the location of aging. This limited-edition collection of ultra-rare expressions includes Hardin’s Creek Clermont (released June 2023), Hardin’s Creek Frankfort (released August 2023), and Hardin’s Creek Boston (launching Sept 2023).
55% ABV | SRP: $169.99
House of Suntory 100th Anniversary Limited Edition Japanese Whiskies:
YAMAZAKI: Established in 1923 —Yamazaki is Japan’s oldest malt distillery. The House of Suntory celebrates a century of pioneering Japanese whisky with the launch of two limited-edition expressions in celebration of its centennial:
· Yamazaki 12-Year-Old: The House of Suntory’s centennial edition of Yamazaki 12 Year Old is designed in special celebratory packaging, as an homage to “Monozukuri” craftsmanship. The expression is bottled at 43 percent ABV and has a suggested retail price of $185.00 (750ml).
· Yamazaki 18-Year-Old: Yamazaki® 18 Year Old Mizunara is crafted to honor Suntory’s masterful use of Mizunara through the decades. The expression is bottled at 48 percent ABV and has a suggested retail price of $1,500.00 (700ml).
HAKUSHU: For the House of Suntory, this year marks a century since founder Shinjiro Torii established Yamazaki Distillery, and fifty years since the Hakushu Distillery was formed. This year, The House of Suntory announces two limited edition bottlings for Suntory Whisky’s centennial:
· Hakushu® 12-Year-Old: The House’s centennial Hakushu 12 Year Old packaging is designed as an homage to “Monozukuri” craftsmanship. The illustration on the bottle captures the Hakushu Distillery in soft hues of verdant green, representing the forest surrounding the distillery. This expression is bottled at 43 percent ABV with a suggested retail price of $185.00 (750ml).
· Hakushu® 18-Year-Old: Refined and elegant, this rare Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt brings a new angle to the world of peated whisky. Hakushu 18 Year Old Peated Malt is presented at 48 percent ABV with a suggested retail price of $1,200.00 (700ml).
HIBIKI: As 2023 marks a momentous year for the House of Suntory, the founding House of Japanese whisky is thrilled to reveal the long-awaited centennial release of Hibiki 21-Year-Old and a limited-edition bottle design of Hibiki Japanese Harmony that honors the four seasons and is a nod to the past, present, and future:
· Hibiki 21-Year-Old: The centennial anniversary label design on the Hibiki 21-Year-Old is a reminder to appreciate life and embrace the changes that come with each passing moment. The result is a long and deep finish with undertones of spiced Mizunara wood. Bottled at 43 percent ABV with a suggested retail price of $5,000.
· Hibiki Japanese Harmony: The House of Suntory’s centennial Hibiki Japanese Harmony bottle features motifs of snow, moon and flowers representing Japan’s changing seasons. Hibiki Japanese Harmony is bottled at 43 percent ABV with a suggest retail price of $200.
Bowmore Master’s Selection Third Edition (SRP: $400): The 5th liquid collaboration between the two stories, ultra-luxury heritage brands. Double matured in purposefully selected European Oak, Oloroso Sherry seasoned casks along with the optimal mix of American Oak hogsheads, this 22-year-old single malt pays homage to the definitively constant character of Bowmore.
El Tesoro™ Mundial Collection: Knob Creek® Rye Edition (SRP: $175). is a unique expression of El Tesoro Añejo, aged for 12 months in genuine charred-oak Knob Creek Rye Whiskey barrels which held the liquid for 9 years, resulting in a delicious sipping tequila that is perfectly balanced with subtle sweetness and spice. As a special one-time release, this is the first and only time El Tesoro has been rested in Knob Creek Rye Barrels.
El Tesoro Mundial Collection: The Laphroaig Edition (SRP $175) is back by popular demand and the success of the 2021 release, the Camarenas are excited to be releasing another iteration of “Mundial” aged in Laphraoig casks. This year only, El Tesoro Mundial Collection: The Laphroaig Edition will also be available alongside the El Tesoro Mundial Collection: Knob Creek Rye Edition with updated premium gift packaging.
Ferrand Dry Curaçao Yuzu Late Harvest, a limited edition release from Alexandre Gabriel, owner of Maison Ferrand and Ferrand Cognac Master Blender, in consultation with spirits and cocktail historian David Wondrich, is made from the entire Yuzu and blended with brandy and Ferrand Cognac. The yuzu is harvested past peak maturity, a technique that concentrates the aromas of the yuzu, allowing Ferrand to capture incredible pastry notes which marry extremely well with the Ferrand Cognac base. (SRP: $35.99, 40% ABV).
