Among the many week’s new bourbon and American whiskeys, Elijah Craig completes its 2024 releases of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof with Batch C9245, which is on the typical hefty ABV and has an age of 11 years. This 12 months’s Batch A was at 10 years and 9 months, whereas Batch B was at 11 years and a couple of months, all of which had brought about some grumbling among the many devoted, who had grown to like the 12 12 months previous age assertion the model had sported till final 12 months. Elsewhere, the ever inventive Penelope continues to be adventurous, exemplified by its newest launch, a wheat whiskey expression. Two different new Penelope expressions are additionally within the combine, and all three are properly aged, with the wheated whiskey at 11 years and the opposite two, each bourbons, at 10 years previous. Lastly, J. Mattingly has a brand new bourbon mix, utilizing mild whiskey and its “double staving” course of.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch C924)
ABV: 64.5%
SRP: $75
Availability: Nationwide
Every year, Kentucky distillery Heaven Hill releases three batches of its enormously common Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon. The third batch for 2024 has simply hit cabinets, sporting an 11 12 months previous age assertion and a proof of 64.5% ABV.
The brand new batch, which known as C924, follows the identical naming scheme as a few of Heaven Hill’s different batched choices. Every one begins with a letter—A, B, or C—denoting which quantity batch it’s for the 12 months. (Batch A is the primary launch of every 12 months, adopted by B the second batch, after which by C the third.) The primary quantity denotes the month the batch was launched, whereas the ultimate two stand for the 12 months.
Whereas the defining function of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof its highly effective ABV, these whiskeys provide much more than simply excessive octane. Heaven Hill’s cask energy expressions like ECBP, Larceny Barrel Proof, and Bernheim Barrel Proof are remarkably mild and approachable for his or her proof factors—consuming extra easily than many whiskeys which can be bottled at far decrease ABVs.
Penelope Founders Reserve Wheat Whiskey
ABV: Varies
SRP: $199
Availability: Restricted; Arriving in October or November
Penelope Personal Choose Bourbon
ABV: 50.6%
SRP: $80
Availability: 36,000 bottles, launching nationwide subsequent month
Penelope Single Barrel Bourbon
ABV: Varies
SRP: $90
Availability: Restricted
Followers of Penelope might be glad to listen to that the model is saying a number of whiskeys this week. The primary one, Founders Reserve, is a Ross & Squibb-distilled 11 12 months previous wheat whiskey with a mashbill of 95% wheat and 5% malted barley. Penelope is releasing 5 numerous this whiskey, all with various proof factors:
- Lot B: 59.2%
- Lot C: 58.3%
- Lot D: 54.75%
- Lot E: 53.8%
- Lot F: 54.1%
The second whiskey belongs to the annual Personal Choose sequence. It’s a mix of 9 12 months previous bourbons from two completely different states, with a four-grain mashbill of 74% corn, 20% rye, 1% wheat, and 5 % malted barley.
Penelope’s single barrel launch includes two separate whiskeys, which might be out there in several elements of the nation. The primary one is bottled at 49% ABV, and has a mashbill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. It’ll be transport to manage states beginning subsequent month. The opposite bourbon has barely much less rye content material (21% of the mashbill) and a better proof (52.5% ABV), and distribution might be in open states. Each variations have been aged for 10 years, and are available from completely different rickhouses.
J. Mattingly 1845 Bourbon 31 Blended Bourbon
ABV: 49%
SRP: $60
Availability: Restricted
A play on J. Mattingly’s former identify, Bourbon 30 (the distillery rebranded final 12 months after taking up traders), Bourbon 31 blends three whiskeys, all of which have undergone the distillery’s signature double-staving course of, whereby they’re uncovered to charred barrel staves throughout maturation. The precise mix is 51% bourbon, 29% mild whiskey, and 20% rye whiskey. Distillery president Harry Richart says the whiskey was particularly created for the autumn season, because it highlights notes of pumpkin and cinnamon up entrance.
The brand new whiskey is offered on-line and on the J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Mattingly usually performs with blends of bourbon, mild whiskey, and rye, and permits its clients to take action as properly—its “Select Your Personal Journey” program lets patrons construct their very own mix, bottle, label, and wax shade (and forward of Halloween, they’ve created on-theme label choices and wax colours).
