The Best New Bourbon and Whiskey Releases of 2024 (So Far)

The Best New Bourbon and Whiskey Releases of 2024 (So Far)

Amidst the surge in popularity witnessed in the whiskey and bourbon domain over the past decade, it has become increasingly challenging to keep abreast of the myriad captivating new bottles hitting the shelves almost every week. From highly anticipated annual releases from esteemed brands to limited-edition experimental blends and emerging labels striving to establish a presence in the market, there's consistently a noteworthy new whiskey garnering attention. Thankfully, a vigilant effort is underway to track it all. Whether one's preference veers towards American classics like bourbon, rye, or American single malt, or they possess a more cosmopolitan palate for Scotch, Japanese whisky, or Irish whiskey, the finest new bottles are showcased in this guide. It's recommended to bookmark this page and revisit it regularly — updates will be consistently provided throughout 2024.

Old Overholt Rye

The nose is straightforward, offering notes of corn and oak with a subtle hint of honey. On the palate, there's a balanced sweetness accompanied by prominent wood and spice flavors, leading to a long, sweet finish. Buy it now for $20.99!

Stranahan’s Diamond Peak Caribbean Rum Cask

Colorado's burgeoning distillery scene showcases innovative approaches to whiskey-making, with one standout being the use of spent rum casks from Barbados, Martinique, and the Dominican Republic to finish their top-selling American single malt whiskey. This unique technique infuses the whiskey with a diverse array of tropical flavors, capturing the essence of each rum's distinct style and character. Buy it now!

Starward Single Malt Finished in ex-Lagavulin Barrels

Starward, the renowned Australian whisky maker, collaborated with the iconic Scotch distillery Lagavulin for this exceptional release. The whisky, initially aged in red wine barrels, receives a finishing touch in former Lagavulin barrels, imparting a hint of peated Islay magic. Buy it now!

Port Ellen Gemini

In 2024, Scotland's historic Port Ellen distillery, dormant for four decades, reopened its doors. To commemorate this momentous occasion, owner Diageo unveiled two exceptionally rare whiskies. These precious spirits were filled into barrels at the distillery a staggering 44 years ago, offering a glimpse into the past and celebrating the revival of this iconic establishment. Buy it now!

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2024 VVS Release

The third installment in Old Fitzgerald's Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, this exceptional release lives up to its "Very Very Special" designation. A 100-proof wheated bourbon, it has been meticulously aged for an impressive 13 years, embodying the essence of craftsmanship and tradition synonymous with the Old Fitzgerald legacy. Buy it now!

Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon

Renowned for its sumptuous flavor profile, this 94.4 proof premium bourbon delights connoisseurs with its indulgent and approachable character. Distinguished by luscious notes of toffee, caramel, vanilla, and maple syrup, it offers a harmonious balance of sweetness that captivates the palate with every sip. Buy it now!

Sagamore Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey

Indecisive between a classic Manhattan or enjoying your whiskey neat? Sagamore's innovative offering brings you the best of both worlds. Instead of opting for pre-mixed bottled cocktails, this unique expression finishes its 4-year-old rye in barrels previously used for vermouth, bitters, and cherry brandy. The result? A full-bodied whiskey infused with just a hint of cocktail flavor, providing a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation in every sip. Buy it now!

15 Stars First West Bourbon

First West stands as a testament to American bourbon craftsmanship, skillfully blending bourbons sourced from three distinguished states — Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana — across three different ages: 7, 9, and 15 years. The result is a harmonious and full-bodied whiskey that epitomizes the essence of classic bourbon, brimming with robust flavors that captivate the palate. Buy it now!

Balcones Mirador Eclipse Texas Single Malt Whisky

Balcones, the renowned Texas-based American single malt distiller, commemorated the 2024 solar eclipse with a special limited-edition whiskey. Embracing the eclipse's theme of revealing familiar elements in a new light, Balcones introduced two additional yeasts to its signature house yeast during the fermentation process. This innovative approach resulted in unexpected fruity notes, a departure from the typical flavor profile associated with American single malt whiskey. Buy it now!

Bulleit Rye Aged 12 Years

After a hiatus of five years, Bulleit reintroduced its 12-year-old rye in 2024. This whiskey maintains the spicy mashbill found in Bulleit's standard rye offering, comprising 95 percent rye and 5 percent corn. However, the extended aging process imbues it with a heightened level of refinement. Additionally, it boasts a slightly higher alcohol by volume (ABV) of 92%, compared to the standard 90%. Buy it now!

Dewar’s Double Double 21 Year Old Mizunara Oak Cask Finish

While it may seem pricey for Dewar's, obtaining a 21-year-old Scotch that's finished in rare Japanese Mizunara casks is undeniably a bargain. Following the same four-stage aging process as the standard Double Double 21, this whisky gains an exceptional twist from Mizunara's gentle coconut flavors. Buy it now!

Bulleit Single Malt Frontier Whiskey

In 2024, the American single malt whiskey scene welcomed another significant contender with Bulleit's entry. The Frontier Whiskey brand's American Single Malt (ASM) offering boasts a 90 proof, offering a smoother drinking experience compared to the brand's classic bourbon and rye expressions. Buy it now!

Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 121.2

Woodford Reserve's distinctive annual Batch Proof series blends bourbon from more than 100 barrels and bottles them uncut. The 2024 edition boasts an impressive 121.2 proof and is bursting with sweet aromatic tasting notes. Buy it now!

The Glenlivet Fusion Cask Whisky

The Glenlivet’s distillers conducted a unique experiment in cask aging by deconstructing spent bourbon and rum barrels, reconstructing hybrid barrels from their parts, and aging single malt Scotch inside them, resulting in a whisky unlike any other. Buy it now!

New York Distilling Co. Jaywalk Heirloom Rye

Of the three bottles available at the launch of New York Distilling Co’s Jaywalk Rye brand, Heirloom stands out as the most intriguing. Distilled from Horton rye, a 17th-century varietal native to New York, Heirloom is a limited annual release featuring cask-strength liquid from meticulously chosen single barrels. Buy it now!

Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

The 2024 entry in Heaven Hill’s ultra-premium, extra-aged Heritage Collection is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that's old enough to vote. This non-chill-filtered, 120-proof whiskey comes with a label that offers extensive transparency, detailing exactly when and where in the rickhouse the liquid in the bottle was aged. Buy it now!

Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked 2023

The 2024 release (2023 bottling) of this Woodford Reserve annual favorite is crafted by finishing the distillery’s Double Oaked bourbon for an additional year in a heavily toasted and lightly charred new oak barrel. Buy it now!

Traveller Whiskey

A collaboration between country star Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace master distiller Harlen Wheatley, Traveller is an easy-drinking blended whiskey that leans heavily into well-loved Buffalo Trace bourbon territory. Buy it now!

Old Forester Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 1924 10-Year-Old

Old Forester introduces a groundbreaking release that marks several firsts. This whiskey proudly boasts the brand's inaugural age statement at 10 years, signifying a milestone in their heritage. Additionally, it features a novel mash bill for the brand, consisting of 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley. The aging process occurred in the renowned Brown-Forman warehouse, ensuring the whiskey reached its optimal maturity before undergoing meticulous batching, proofing, and bottling. Buy it now!

Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection 1 – 3

This trio of bourbons is designed for comparison and contrast, with each crafted using a different fortified wine finish: one in Oloroso sherry casks, one in Madeira casks, and one in Tawny port casks. Buy it now!

Natterjack Irish Whiskey Cask Strength 2023

An Irish whiskey for bourbon lovers, this fiery import features a mashbill of 80 percent corn and 20 percent malted barley, aged in ex-bourbon barrels. Buy it now!