Thirsty Thursday: Holiday Soiree!

As Scotch producers have historically done, Bourbon and Rye makers are finally starting to embrace barrel finishing, turning to sherry, port, brandy, and other used casks to impart flavor to their spirit. Today, dozens of finishes, from port, tequila, and armagnac, to chardonnay and rhum agricole, offer whiskey lovers an array of new flavors to explore—and the opportunity to dive deep into geekdom by sipping the finished whiskey alongside the spirit or wine type whose barrels were used in the finishing.

Jos. Magnus Bourbon, Sherry & Cognac Cask Finish, 100 proof

$90 per bottle

On sale for $80 per bottle

A marriage of straight bourbon whiskey aged in white oak barrels and finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and cognac casks. Rich deep flavors with notes of orange citrus, dried dark fruits, and vanilla

Knobel ‘Rickhouse Edition’ Tennessee Whiskey, 95 proof

$77 per bottle

On sale for $67 per bottle

The Rickhouse Edition’s complex and smooth profile of warm spices opens with sweet notes of meringue, marmalade, orange rind and caramel. The corn plays nicely against the spice of the French oak and the vanilla coming from the American white oak. Each sip, reminiscent of fall baking spices, custardy and fall desserts with apple pie, toasty pie crust and almond flavors appearing towards the end. It finishes with a hint of lingering cloves and cinnamon on top of a banana bread and panna cotta dessert.

Angel’s Envy Single Barrel, 110 proof 

‘Share the Envy SB 2024’

$105 per bottle

On sale for $90 per bottle

Polished and full, the higher proof mellows the sweetness of the port barrel finish. Apples, caramel, and brown sugar. The creaminess pairs with orange from the nose, creating a dessert-like richness. Vanilla, toasted oak and black pepper spice round it out.

Two James ‘Catcher’s Rye’,Vermouth Barrel Aged, 117.3 proof

$85 per bottle

On sale for $75 per bottle

As an homage to the Manhattan cocktail, we take our award winning Catcher’s Rye whiskey and finish it in Sweet Vermouth casks. Forget the bitters, add a rock, this is all you’ll need.

Hillrock Single Malt Single Barrel ‘Spirit Shop Selection No. 1’, 96.4 proof

$125 per bottle

On sale for $100 per bottle

Hillrock Single Malt is handcrafted in small batches from naturally grown Hillrock estate barley, which has been traditionally floor malted on-site in the first new malthouse built at a USA distillery since Prohibition. Our estate grain is then milled, fermented, small-batch pot distilled, aged and bottled all at our Hudson Valley Estate. The award winning Field-to-Glass® artisanal whiskey exhibits the Estate's signature terroir of cinnamon and clove, layered with caramel and vanilla. Expressions smoked with imported Speyside Scotland peat exhibit a complex, lingering smokiness with notes of tobacco, leather and campfire.

Pinhook Collaborations Series #3, 114.8 proof

Australian Single Malt Aged in Red Wine Barrels

$115 per bottle

On sale for $100 per bottle

Classic single malt notes of honey and dried raisin dominate the palate before warmed oatmeal and cream weave into the mix. Spice character is the only thing hinting at its respectable 114.8 proof, yet it's so delicate at that proof. The finish is all honey, lemon and shortbread cookies with lemon cream icing