The 29 Best Bottles of Booze That Debuted in 2019
This was an exceptional year for new releases of spirits in all categories, and so it was an exceptional year for drinking. It’s impossible to cover them all, but here are the best of the best, based on flavor alone, including whiskey, tequila, gin, rum, and cognac. Some are easy to come by, while others are expensive and elusive limited editions. But if a spirit tasted good, it made the list—hype, price, and reputation be damned. See if you can find a few of these to try for yourself before the end of 2019, and here’s to another year (and decade) of good spirits.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
$60
Four Roses consistently knocks it out of the park with its core range, a lineup of dependable bourbon that could be more expensive than it is but usually isn’t (please don’t raise your prices, Four Roses). The new Small Batch Select is sort of a further refining of the Small Batch expression, a blend of bourbon aged for at least six years using six of the distillery’s 10 different recipes. The ABV is higher too, at 104 proof, and the whiskey is non-chill filtered. Expect a velvety mouthfeel and notes of cherry, oak, and vanilla, making this a welcome—and permanent—addition to the portfolio.
Baker’s Single Barrel Bourbon
$60
It can be difficult to pick a single barrel bourbon for a best-of list, given that each barrel will be somewhat different. But the move by the underrated Baker’s Bourbon (part of the Jim Beam Small Batch collection) to a 7-year-old single barrel release was a smart one. At 107 proof, the whiskey retains all of the signature Jim Beam nut and grain-forward flavors, along with warmth and a complex bouquet of fruit notes. If you can get your hands on a pair of bottles from different barrels, see for yourself how the flavors compare and contrast.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Goodwood Brewing Company Honey Ale
$125
Admittedly, this is not the most readily available bourbon out there, as it’s a limited regional release. But it’s a damn good one, and works in a way that barrel finishes sometimes don’t. Bardstown Bourbon Company sourced this 11-year-old bourbon from Indiana and finished it in Louisville’s Goodwood Brewing Brandy Barrel Honey Ale casks for about a year and a half, infusing the liquid with rich but not overpowering notes of honey, quince, and vanilla. The two will collaborate again in 2020 with a bourbon finished in Walnut Brown Ale casks, so it will be interesting to see how that compares.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Cornerstone Rye
$175
It’s hard to beat regular old Wild Turkey; the high quality and low price of the distillery’s bourbon and rye make it an American classic. The distillery has also released several high-end whiskeys over the past few years as part of its Master’s Keep series. The latest is this expensive but excellent rye whiskey aged for 9 to 11 years and bottled at 109 proof. Think of it as a fancier Russell’s Reserve, and enjoy the spice, pepper, and oak notes that pop with every sip.
Old Forester Rye
$23
A good piece of whiskey news for your palate and your wallet this past year was the release of Old Forester Rye, a new addition to the range and the first new recipe from the distillery in a century and a half. The mash bill is 65 percent rye, 20 percent malted barley, and 15 percent corn, softening some of the spice but keeping the floral notes. The high malt component allowed for a “wholly natural fermentation process,” according to master distiller Chris Morris. The whiskey is bottled at 100 proof, making this a great one to use in cocktails as well.
Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Rye
$160
Yes, this is another expensive whiskey, and one that is probably selling for way more than its SRP. But it’s also fantastic, as Michter's annual release always tends to be. This was the first of this type of whiskey to be released under the watch of new Michter’s master distiller Dan McKee, and he did a great job selecting the barrels for it. The whiskey is spicy, sweet, and full of toffee and caramel. Save it for a special occasion, if you can get your hands on a bottle.
Chattanooga Whiskey CASK 111
$45
This delicious Tennessee whiskey from Chattanooga Whiskey has an interesting mash bill made up of yellow corn and three kinds of specialty malt—malted rye, caramel malted barley, and honey malted barley. This is the cask strength, unfiltered version of the distillery’s Whiskey 91. It’s aged for around two years, but tastes like a whiskey that’s twice as old. There’s a pronounced maltiness, as you might expect, but also warm notes of stone fruit and chocolate.
Wyoming Whiskey Outryder
$75
Wyoming Whiskey has been making good, solid whiskey for years now, something that got the attention of Scottish company Edrington (owner of The Macallan), which added the brand to its portfolio in 2018. Outryder is a bottled-in-bond whiskey that combines two mash bills—a high rye whiskey and a traditional bourbon. It’s aged for seven years and hits all the right notes with banana, cinnamon, and some yeasty bread on the palate.
Westland Garryana Edition 4|1
$150
Westland is a Seattle distillery that is doing interesting things in the world of American single malts, like the fourth edition of this whiskey that is all about showcasing the influence of Quercus garryana oak on the spirit. The liquid was matured in a number of other casks as well, including rye, bourbon, and sherry barrels for a range of 44 to 75 months. The result is a particularly fruity single malt that should appeal to those who are interested in the burgeoning American single malt category.
The GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 8
$95
Fans of sherry cask single malts like The Macallan and Aberlour should definitely be on the lookout for The GlenDronach, particularly this new, cask strength version of the whisky. It spent 10 years in PX and Oloroso sherry casks before being bottled at 122 proof, which provides some nice heat and spice to the sweet notes of dried fruit and fig. This is the eighth batch of the cask strength expression, which is non-chill filtered with no color added.
Laphroaig 16 Year Old
$90
Most people are familiar with Laphroaig as that peaty scotch that curls as many lips as it brings smiles to. This new expression spends six more years in ex-bourbon barrels than the core 10-year-old, a time difference that yields big results. The salty, medicinal peat smoke is still there, of course, but alongside a greater infusion of vanilla, fruit, and oak. This is a limited release for the time being, but will become part of the core range in the coming months.
Highland Park Twisted Tattoo
$100
Danish tattoo artist Colin Dale created the design of this bottle, drawing inspiration from Viking tales and Norse mythology. But the whisky in the bottle is what’s really exciting. It’s a marriage of two different 16-year-old whiskies aged in Spanish Rioja-seasoned casks and bourbon barrels. There are ripe berry notes, just a hint of peat, and delicious vanilla and caramel flavors bubbling up every now and then. The influence of the Rioja casks is strong here, and that’s a good thing.
The Tyrconnell 16 Year Old Oloroso & Moscatel Cask Finish
$100
The Tyrconnell has released several different cask-finished versions of its Irish whiskey over the past few years. One of the best came out this summer, a 16-year-old single malt finished in casks seasoned with Oloroso sherry and Moscatel wine. The flavors derived from this finish complement the already sweet and fruity whiskey very well, adding layers of dried fruit, warm chocolate, and fresh blueberries to the palate.
Egan’s Centenary
$100
Egan’s Centenary is a blend of malt and grain whiskeys that were finished in XO cognac casks. It was released in commemoration of a century passing since co-founder Henry Egan’s death, with less than 6,000 bottles made available. The history of the brand dates back to the 1800s, but it was revived in 2013 using sourced whiskey from an undisclosed distillery. This new whiskey is bright and bold, with malty notes that wrap around a zing of spice as you sip.
Teeling Single Cask
$100
The Teeling distillery was the first to open within the Dublin city limits in over a century, back in 2015. The core lineup consists of expertly sourced whiskeys from the Cooley distillery, but whiskey production is going on at the Dublin facility itself. This Single Cask expression (a U.S.-only release) is finished in chestnut casks for an additional period of time after maturation, and it has an earthy funk reminiscent of apple or pear brandy, along with a sweet caramel undertone to balance it out. Less than 850 bottles are available in New York, California, and Illinois.
Starward Nova Australian Whisky Two-Fold
$33
This Australian whisky from Starward is called Two-Fold because it’s made from two grains; the blend is 60 percent wheat and 40 percent malted barley. Each are matured in wine barrels from the Yarra Valley before being married together into this affordable and easy-drinking whisky, which works well in a variety of cocktails. This isn’t an overly complex spirit, but it’s enjoyable all the same.
Alfred Giraud French Malt Whiskey
$155-$190
France isn’t known as being a hotbed of fine whisky production, but there are a few distilleries there trying to change that perception. The Giraud family brings its cognac background to whisky making, using a majority of French oak ex-cognac casks to mature the new spirit. There are two whiskies available now in the U.S. Heritage is made up of three malt distillates aged in three cask types, which are then blended together and further matured in cognac casks. Harmonie starts out in a similar fashion, but then adds lightly peated French malt to the mix, resulting in a subtle smokiness. The whisky is pricey, but it’s very tasty.
Hiatus Tequila
$44-$54
Hiatus is made at La Cofredia, the same distillery as Casa Noble, which is a good indicator of its quality. There are three expressions available of this double-distilled tequila. The blanco is citrusy and light, the reposado (aged for six months in ex-bourbon barrels) is slightly nutty, and the añejo (aged for a year) is slightly oaky and full of vanilla. All three are great sippers and perfect for making cocktails.
El Tesoro Extra Añejo
$100
There’s añejo, and then there’s extra añejo, which means the tequila is aged for more than three years. El Tesoro’s new Extra Añejo has spent four to five years in bourbon barrels, unlike the brand’s other extra añejo, Paradiso, which was aged in ex-cognac casks for five years. This tequila is rich and creamy, full of cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate, and vanilla note, and works well in an Old Fashioned.
Tears of Llorona Extra Añejo 2019 Batch
$250
This extra añejo from Tears of Llorona is released in very small batches once a year. It’s a blend of different tequilas aged for five years in different barrel types by master distiller Germán González—Islay scotch, Spanish sherry oak, and Spanish brandy—before being married together. Spend some time with this expensive tequila and enjoy a complex sipping experience with a long finish.
Tod & Vixen’s Dry Gin 1651
$40
Tod & Vixen’s is made at the Vale Fox Distillery in the Hudson Valley and was conceived of with the help of three revered cocktail experts: Jeffrey Morganthaler, Leo Robitschek, and the late Gary “gaz” Regan. Botanicals used include juniper, angelica root, red rooibos tea, and Makrut lime. The result is a new-school floral but still dry gin, which makes a damn good martini or any other cocktail you can think of.
Gray Whale Gin
$40
This California gin is made using just six locally sourced botanicals: juniper, kombu, almonds, lime, fir tree, and mint. That simplicity shines through in the flavor of Gray Whale, which is juniper-forward enough for the classicist while stepping just outside the lines of tradition. The brand is also environmentally aware, using biodegradable corks and donating one percent of all sales to an organization that helps protect the oceans.
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut
$80
Monkey 47 is made in the Black Forest of Germany, and 47 botanicals are used in its gin recipe. Each fall, Distiller’s Cut is released, which adds a 48th ingredient to the mix. This time around, it’s Myristicae arillus, which is the seed covering of nutmeg. With that many botanicals involved, it might be hard for the average person to judge what difference it even makes. Regardless, this pricey little bottle is an excellent gin, full of sweet, savory, and floral flavors that deem it a winner.
The Real McCoy 14YO
$80
In the midst of much rum malarkey, The Real McCoy plays it straight. This rum comes from Barbados’ Foursquare distillery, where the craft of rum making is taken very seriously. The age statement means something here, as opposed to brands that slap a random number on the bottle, and no sugar or coloring is added. There are wonderful notes of caramel, brown sugar, and toffee on the palate of this fine rum.
Mount Gay Pot Still Rum
$170
Mount Gay is another well-regarded rum distillery in Barbados. The second edition of the Master Blender Collection is this Pot Still Rum, the first from new master blender Trudiann Branker. It is very different from last year’s XO Peat Smoke Expression, but it’s still an interesting release. No column still rum was used, just pot distilled rum made back in 2009 and finished in ex-whiskey casks. This is a spicy and flavorful spirit that stands out from the rum pack.
Ten to One Rum Dark Rum
$42
Ten to One is a new brand that blends rum from various countries in the Caribbean. In the case of the dark rum, it’s eight-year-old column still rum from Barbados and the Dominican Republic, Trinidadian rum, and some Jamaican pot still rum as well. No color, flavoring, or sugar is added. This is a solid sipper and mixer, not overly sweet with just a hint of that Jamaican rum funk hidden beneath the surface.
Ferrand 10 Generations Cognac
$60
Maison Ferrand’s new cognac is surprisingly light and fresh, with a flavor that still has many layers—a welcome addition to the world of cognac. It was aged in French oak, 20 percent of which were Sauternes barrels, and is made only using Ugni Blanc grapes. Sit and ponder this cognac for a while, but don’t be afraid to use it in a cocktail either.
Frapin 1270
$55
This is another accessible but richly flavored cognac, this time from the Cognac Frapin house. 1270 was introduced as a spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed into cocktails, and it serves both functions well. But just because this is more of an entry level cognac does not mean it lacks in flavor. Look for notes of vanilla, spice, and dried stone fruit on the palate.
Rémy Martin XO Limited Edition Bottle
$200
The liquid in this bottle isn’t new, but it is of the highest quality. The design, however, is brand-new and very fetching. Artist and metal worker Steaven Richard created this limited edition Remy Martin XO cognac bottle, pulling inspiration from the history and craft of cognac making and the vineyards themselves. The spirit inside is fruity with deep chocolate and oak notes.
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