A new Woodford that’s set to be part of the core range. This is finished in heavily toasted, lightly charred barrels.

On a short list the most desirable, super premium American whiskeys, Pappy Van Winkle is usually near the top – if you can find it. But there’s another name in town: “Michter’s”, with roots going back to the 18th century. For scarcity, reputation and market value, Michter’s is now outdoing Van Winkle on every score. The ultra-aged releases are periodic and therefore actually far rarer than Pappy’s which are annual. Many consider older Michter's superior to the equivalent Van Winkles, especially if you prefer your whiskey to not be overly oaky. To top it off, a Michter’s 25 Year Old Rye has reached $8000 / bottle. Or there’s a 25 Year old for US $10,000 at Wally’s Liquor in the States. Take your pick. That’s the direction this brand is headed. The modern Michter’s was created in the 1950s (then owner, Lou Forman combined his son’s names – Michael & Peter). Later in 1989, the company declared bankruptcy, abandoning the original Pennsylvania operation. In the 1990s, two entrepreneurs filed for the Michter’s trademark and relocated the brand in Louisville, Kentucky. The “New” Michter’s whiskeys come with a swag of 5 Star / Highest Recommendations from respected critics that’s confirmed by a strong following amongst bartenders (now number two in top-trending American whiskey brands globally). There are four tiers in the range - which is a little confusing at first. The "US*1" expressions are the entry level, so named to honour Michter’s heritage, harkening back to America’s first whiskey company in 1753. Then come the limited releases (toasted barrel finishes and cask strength), then the age statements, and finally, there's a selection of ultra-aged 25 year old+ super limited bottlings. Master Distiller, Pam Heilmann, has extensive experience including time as manager at Booker Noe Distillery in Boston and 15 years with Beam Global. She’s helped out by Andrea Wilson, whose role is Master of Maturation. These ladies are very specific about the seasoning and toasting regimes of the wood they employ. They toast barrels before charring, which helps to make the wood’s sugars more accessible. They insist on barreling at a lower proof (103 instead of the standard 125), a practise which is claimed to get the sugars in oak to dissolve more readily into the distillate as it cycles in and out of the wood. Chill filtration is undertaken but customised to each whiskey's style. All Michter’s whiskeys are either ‘single barrel’ or ‘small batch’. Because “Small batch” is not a legally defined term in US whiskey regulation, many respected “small batch” brands are actually composed from hundreds or thousands of barrels, which helps to ‘lose’ sub-quality barrels in the blend. At Michter’s, the maximum “small batch” size is twenty full barrels. It explains why Heilmann and Wilson are more than a little fanatical about quality control, and you can sense it in the taste. Tasting note: [Lot L146456 tasted] Brassy gold. Opening aroma is peppery and true to style with lovely whiffs of dark rye bread; Further air contact draws out wax, dried apple, cinnamon and vanilla. Third pass finds suggestions of herbal tea - think peppermint and chamomile. Great complexity. A somewhat hollow entry leads into a powerful, peppery rye attack with ryvita biscuit, dried apple and peppermint tea flavours carried by vibrant spices. Hints of vanilla and toffee apple in the drying fade. Solid, text-book styled rye. 42.4% Alc./Vol.

Elijah Craig are another of Heaven Hill's successful brands. When a surge in popularity for the 12 year led to an inability to meet demand, it was removed from US shelves in 2016 (no surprise, age statements are now sought after). The core whiskey has since been re-labelled “Small Batch". Typically made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley, rumour has it this contains a fair proportion of whiskeys in the 8-12 year old range.

"...you can buy me a dozen of these roses any day of the week." - breakingbourbon.com Produced from a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, the strain of yeast used for the Single Barrel bottlings is Four Roses' version “V” which is described as being "delicately fruity, spicy, and creamy." (The distillery is unique in that it uses five different strains to create ten different whiskies). Ages will vary in this series, (a seven year minimum is cited by one source). Regardless, the aim is to bottle when the whiskeys are deemed to have reached their peak, with each barrel yielding approximately 180 bottles. Each release is individually marked with a warehouse and barrel number which is not predictable and subject to change without notice. It's also part of the fun: No two barrels create identical tasting Bourbons, thus the single barrel concept provides the opportunity to appreciate and compare whiskies from different barrels and aging locations. [Barrel RN 8-4R tasted] Bright burnished copper penny colour. A robust Bourbon sniff with a dense core of vanilla custard and caramel fudge overlaid with peppermint, balsa wood, cocoa and hints of cherry. Concentrated yet controlled with razor sharp sweet/dry balance; a burst of vanillan oak, honey and spiced peach, offset by a tangy, vibrant finish. Glace cherry is followed by late mint freshness. Text-book poise and length. As complete a Bourbon as you could expect to find in its category, this really over delivers. 50% Alc./Vol.

One litre Travel retail exclusive bottling. Rare breed, as the name suggests, is a unique bourbon experience. A marriage of Wild Turkey 6, 8 and 12 year olds, Rare Breed is 'barrel proof', meaning that it is bottled at barrel strength with no water added to lower the proof or dilute the flavour. Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell follows suit even after bottling - he keeps his Rare Breed in the freezer so he doesn't have to add ice, which would melt and ultimately dilute the flavour! Non-chill filtered.

Utilizing a barrel finishing process from the 18th century, Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gin is produced by ageing Bluecoat American Dry Gin for a minimum of three months, providing a unique, well rounded and complex spirit. Tasting Notes: The barrel finishing process enhances the rounder, softer notes and introduces hints of caramel and whiskey without sacrificing juniper or pepper notes. The process marries the flavours together creating a truly unique gin providing an amazingly fragrant and vibrant yet mellow gin.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge.

Jack Daniels it's a legend in the world of whiskey. This iconic brand has become synonymous with quality, tradition, and a taste that can satisfy even the most discerning palate. The story of Jack Daniels begins back in the 19th century, in the small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee. It was there that a young and ambitious man named Jasper Newton Daniel, better known as Jack, set out to create a whiskey that would leave a lasting mark on the world. Jack Daniels is known for its unique production process, which sets it apart from other whiskeys. The key ingredient is the limestone-filtered water from the nearby Cave Spring Hollow, giving the whiskey its distinct smoothness and character. The grains used in the distillation process are carefully selected and milled at the distillery, ensuring only the finest quality. One of the most intriguing aspects of Jack Daniels is its charcoal mellowing process. This involves slowly dripping the whiskey through ten feet of tightly packed charcoal, resulting in a smoothness that is unmatched. This process, known as the Lincoln County Process, is what gives Jack Daniels its signature flavour profile. But it's not just the production process that makes Jack Daniels special. It's the people behind the brand, the craftsmen who have dedicated their lives to perfecting the art of whiskey-making. Each drop of Jack Daniels undergoes meticulous scrutiny and is crafted with passion and expertise, ensuring that every sip is a testament to the brand's commitment to excellence. Jack Daniels has made an indelible mark on popular culture as well. From its appearance in countless movies and TV shows to being the drink of choice for rock stars and rebels alike, Jack Daniels has become more than just a beverage; it's a symbol of authenticity and rebellion. Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey 700ml is a truly rare and exceptional grain spirit that has been released in extremely limited numbers. For the first time since prohibition, Jack Daniel's has used a new Rye recipe, resulting in a unique and complex flavour profile that is sure to impress whiskey enthusiasts. Rye has always been a part of the famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 grain, but it has never been in the spotlight as the lead grain. This unaged rye offers a spicy, surprisingly sweet flavour that is sure to delight the palate. This historic creation marries the smoothness of Jack Daniel's with a unique 70% rye grain bill. Complex flavors of ripe fruit mingle with light toasted oak notes to create a taste rich with spice and a pleasant lingering finish. This is a big, bold rye that does not overpower, making it a perfect choice for sipping or mixing in cocktails.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge. Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey is aged in a way that utilizes whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve a rich and unique flavor profile. In late 2013, then Master Distiller Willie Pratt agreed to re- release our US1 Unblended American Whiskey after a nearly three- year absence from the market, deeming it "just right" and "the best it's ever been." Crucially, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey never contains grain neutral spirits - hence its "unblended" distinction. This Whiskey has deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit with a ripened fruit finish.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge. Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made from a carefully selected mashbill that features the highest quality American corn. It is then matured to the peak of perfection. Truly "small batch" each batch of our US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is batched in a holding tank sized to fit a maximum of twenty full barrels, leaving no margin for "blending out" imperfection and thus necessitating excellence from every barrel. Reflecting the spirit of the Bluegrass State, Michter's US$1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is nuanced, mellow and earthy. Michter's US *1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is also available with personalized Fort Nelson Select labeling at Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery. Truly “small batch,” each release is typically composed of no more than two dozen barrels, with the quality shining through. A very well-balanced, sweeter style of bourbon. Flavours of rich caramel with balanced vanilla, stone fruit notes, smoky depth, with an oak finish.