Getting a start on holiday shopping? Here are 5 bourbons (and one hard coffee) to gift

Get ready, bourbon lovers. This month, five brands have new releases on tap, including Three Chord Bourbon, Barrell Cask Spirits; and Russell's Reserve have new releases. Plus, Kentucky Coffee, known for its signature coffee-flavored whiskey, announces an expansion into the ready-to-drink category.

Here's what to know about the new bourbon releases that might just make the perfect holiday gift (for yourself!) or someone on your list:

15 Stars releases Sherry Cask Finish bourbon whiskey

15 Stars has a limited release of its Sherry Cask Finish fine-aged bourbon whiskey. The release is a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys, aged 13 and 10 years. Sourced from Kentucky and Indiana and finished in casks previously seasoned by sherry wine, it is bottled at 115 proof.

Sherry Cask Finish was awarded Best Bourbon of 2023, Best Finished Bourbon of 2023, and Double Gold at the 2023 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition. Released earlier this year, 15 STARS First West Rye was also awarded top recognition at the 2023 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition, including Best in Show for 2023, Best Rye Whiskey for 2023, and Double Gold.

“We are honored to have received top awards across several whiskey categories at the 2023 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition for our Sherry Cask Finish and First West Rye whiskeys,” Ricky Johnson, 15 STARS co-founder," said in a news release.

The 15 Stars' Sherry Cask Finish will be available at select retailers as well as online at 15STARS.com. The suggested retail price is $179.

Barrell Craft Spirits launches Cask Finish Series

Barrell Craft Spirits has launched its Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series, which will feature two blends each year, beginning with the launch of Amburana and A Tale of Two Islands.

"We’re thrilled to continue our 10-year legacy of developing sought-after award-winning blends that push the boundaries of American whiskey," Barrell Craft Spirits founder Joe Beatrice said in a news release. "The intent for this series is to produce unique blends that showcase the finishing cask, while respecting the underlying bourbon blend."

Here's what to know about the two blends:

• Amburana is a blend of Indiana (5, 6, 7, and 10-year) and Kentucky (5-year) bourbon whiskeys that were further matured in sustainable Amburana casks. Amburana casks impart strong cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla spice notes. Featuring a derived mash bill of corn (75%), rye (21%) and malted barley (4%), the blend is bottled at cask strength (116.42 proof).

• Tale of Two Islands is the second blend in the Cask Finish Series and builds upon the Tale of Two Islands Rum, a Jamaican Rum matured in peated Islay single malt casks. It is a blend of straight bourbons from Indiana (5, 6 and 9 year) and Maryland (5 and 6 year), finished in empty casks from the 2018 offering to finish the blend of straight bourbons. The sweetness of the rum and the smokiness of the Islay casks mingle together with the underlying bourbon for a classic bourbon with notes of old-fashioned donuts and coconut macaron. With a derived mash bill of corn (73%), rye (23%), and malted barley (4%), the blend is bottled at cask strength (118.22 proof).

Both expressions are available for purchase at barrellbourbon.com. The suggested retail price is $89.99.

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Blackened American Whiskey releases its Masters of Whiskey Series

Blackened American Whiskey’s Master Distiller and Blender, Rob Dietrich, has teamed up with Rabbit Hole Distillery's Founder and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker, Kaveh Zamanian, to create the Masters of Whiskey Series, the Blackened x Rabbit Hole Blend of straight bourbon whiskeys distilled in Tennessee and Kentucky and finished in Calvados Casks. The blend is bottled at cask strength at a proof of 106.59, and non-chill filtered.

The expression features notes of apple butter, rhubarb, honey-suckle, graham cracker, and macadamia nut on the nose and hints of ripe pear, cinnamon stick, smoky campfire, field clover, honey, and black walnut on the palate.

“It was great working with Kaveh, as we came in with different backgrounds and similar mindsets, with a passion to create something unusual and unique to see where we could take it,” Dietrich said in a news release.

The Blackened Masters of Whiskey Series i available at select retailers and online in limited quantities for a suggested retail price of $149. To purchase online, find local retailers, or gather more information, visit BlackenedWhiskey.com.

Kentucky Coffee releases ready-to-drink hard cold brews

Kentucky Coffee, known for its signature coffee-flavored whiskey, announces an expansion into the ready-to-drink category with the release of its new Hard Cold Brews, a mixed cocktail made with premium whiskey and cold brew.

“Coffee and whiskey are beloved in their own rights and come together naturally when blended,” Don Deubler, CEO of Kentucky Coffee's parent company, Atomic Brands, said in a news release. “It's a timeless pair that's been largely overlooked within the ready-to-drink space - we're excited to fill that gap for consumers."

Kentucky Coffee will offer its line of Hard Cold Brews in 12-ounce cans at 5.9% ABV in three flavors: Black, Vanilla and Mocha in the fall.

Russell's Reserve releases Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F

Russell's Reserve has released its Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F, the second from its Single Rickhouse Collection.

Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F is a robust and spicy whiskey, coupled with sweet notes of cherry, molasses and dark caramel. It is non-chill filtered, offered at a barrel proof of 117.6 and, like all Single Rickhouse releases, aged for over 10 years, according to a news release.

“We knew we had big shoes to fill with our second Single Rickhouse release after our first bottling from Camp Nelson C," Eddie Russell said in the release. “I didn't expect we'd release two Camp Nelson whiskeys back-to-back, but after just one sip from those Camp Nelson F barrels, I knew we had to bring this whiskey to our fans – it's too special not to share."

The flavor profile is "big, bold, spicy and oaky," he added.

Russell's Reserve's Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F is available for a limited time. The suggested retail price is $300 per at select retailers as well as at the Wild Turkey Distillery.

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Three Chord Bourbon launches Backstage Series with two musicians

Three Chord Bourbon, Inc., the bourbon founded by Neil Giraldo, five-time Grammy award-winning musician, producer, and film composer and whiskey maker Ari Sussman, is releasing the Three Chord Bourbon Backstage Series which unites the brand with leading musicians in releasing custom signature blends unique to each partnership.

“I have long envisioned a series of bourbons under the Three Chord brand, crafted in collaboration with musicians who deeply appreciate the harmony of flavors and melodies – from the palate to the ear,” Giraldo said in a news release. “I am incredibly excited to introduce this collection alongside a talented lineup of artists who are reshaping the industry.”

The first two have been released, with several more expected later. One is in collaboration with country rocker The Cadillac Three (TheCadillacThree.com) and the other is from rock band Goodbye June (GoodbyeJune.com), with both available at Three Chord Bourbon Backstage Series and via the band's websites. Here's what to know about the blends:

• The Cadillac Three is a Tennessee Whiskey, small batch 90-proof blend created with Three Chord Bourbon Whiskey maker Ari Sussman. Suggested retails is $49.99.

• Goodbye June is a blend of cask-strength, five-year-old Straight and Cherry Bounce Barrel-Finished bourbon whiskeys, offered at 122 proof. Suggested retail is $69.99.

A very limited number of bottles will be available through select retailers. Several additional collaborations with musicians are expected to be announced throughout the next couple of months. To pre-order your bottle visit, threechordbourbon.com.

Reach Features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Five bourbons (and one hard coffee) to try in October