25 Most Exciting New Whiskeys of 2023

Men’s Journal | Christopher Friedmann and Christopher Osburn | April 5, 2023

[Excerpt]

"When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest,” Hemingway wrote in his memoir, A Moveable Feast. If the legendary writer and Scotch drinker were around in 2023, we think he'd likely add a little tag to the end of that—"except where to be happiest with the best new whiskeys." 

The sheer number of them today would likely overwhelm even old Ernest.

The good news for us is that spring is a great time to be a whiskey fan (or whisky fan if we're talking about Scottish, Canadian, and Japanese whiskies). Either way, the soaring popularity of one of the world's most favored spirits will continue to expand with new bottlings from distilleries every day—be it Scotch, bourbon, rye, American single malt, or something else entirely.

Figuring out which new whiskeys are worth trying can be a tall order—even before considering those soaring prices. Here, we’ve taken on that challenging task, singling out the best bottles to snag from the shelf this bountiful season and enjoy with friends. 

These 25 standouts are their own moveable feast—available now or in the coming months of 2023. 

…

Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Rum Cask Finish

The latest addition to Old Elk’s Cask Finish Series is a rye whiskey finished in Barbados rum casks. The series is based on the brand’s core products, including its High-Malt Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, where the base spirit of each product is aged five to six years, then rested in secondary finishes and bottled at barrel proof.

At 50.5 percent ABV, Old Elk Straight Rye Whiskey Rum Cask Finish is finished in 14-year-old rum barrels for two to five months, offering a harmonious balance of richness and complexity. It features aromas of allspice and a bold, complex flavor profile ending with tobacco and overripe pineapple. The mash bill contains 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley.

Read the full article at mensjournal.com