New Releases in Whisky: Glen Scotia, The Last Drop, Clydebuilt, and Cù Bòcan

The world of whisky has seen some exciting new releases this week, with Glen Scotia unveiling its annual Campbeltown Malts Festival release, The Last Drop introducing two rare single malts, and Clydebuilt and Cù Bòcan adding to their ranges.

Glen Scotia 9 Year Old Campbeltown Malts Festival 2024

One of only three working distilleries in Campbeltown, Glen Scotia, has unveiled its annual Campbeltown Malts Festival release: a 9 year old single malt scotch. The 9 year old scotch whisky was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and then underwent a six-month finishing period in Fino sherry casks. Tasting notes for the new release include citrus, white orchard fruit, and oak spice. The finish lingers with hints of saline, emulating Glen Scotia’s position on the coast of the Kintyre peninsula.

Clydebuilt Draughtsman and Clydebuilt Anchorsmith Blended Scotch Whiskies

Lowland distillery, Ardgowan, has completed its Clydebuilt whisky series with the addition of two blended whiskies: Draughtsman and Anchorsmith. The Clydebuilt series is an undertaking by Ardgowan’s Master Whisky maker, Max McFarlane. As work finishes on the new distillery, Clydebuilt is giving whisky lovers a taste of what they can expect from Ardgowan whisky. McFarlane has expertly blended casks from all over Scotland to create a new line of carefully crafted scotch whiskies.

Cù Bòcan Creation #6

Tomatin Distillery’s experimental spirit, Cù Bòcan, has seen Creation #6 added to its line up. This new single malt scotch whisky was distilled from lightly peated barley. The spirit was then divided into Pedro Ximénez sherry casks (9 years) and Jamaican rum casks (10 years). The resulting single malt is lively with a hint of smoke.

The Last Drop Auchentoshan 40 Year Old and Tomintoul 55 Year Old

The Last Drop Distillers, curators of fine and rare spirits, have added two new single malts to its 2024 collection: an Auchentoshan 40 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Release No.34) and a Tomintoul 55 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Release No.36).

In the world of American whiskey, WhistlePig has unveiled its oldest whiskey yet, two sporty collaborations, and a wine cask finished single malt.

WhistlePig The Badönkdonk 25 Year Old

WhistlePig has unveiled its oldest whiskey to date: the uniquely named The Badönkdonk 25 Year Old. The whiskey is an American single malt that spent 25 years in new American oak barrels before being finished in Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. In addition to being single malt, the whiskey is also bottled from a single barrel, making it an extremely limited release.

Tasting notes for The Badönkdonk 25 Year Old feature figs, plums, and crème brûlée on the nose. On the palate, expect cedar wood and honey, with a toasted almond and leather finish.

Wolves x UNDEFEATED American Single Malt Whiskey

Californian whiskey brand, Wolves, has partnered with UNDEFEATED, a global sportswear brand, to release a new American Single Malt along with limited-edition lifestyle pieces from UNDEFEATED. The release is “inspired by these iconic underdogs, outsiders and anti-heroes immortalized throughout film and art”.

Pursuit Distilling Co. x TRUE Dead Golfer Bourbon

In another whiskey x sportswear collaboration, Pursuit Distilling Co. has partnered with golf footwear brand, TRUE, to release the Dead Golfer Bourbon. Just two barrels of the whiskey have been bottled, making for a total of 438 bottles for public release. The whiskey was distilled from a mash bill comprising 72% corn, 24% rye, and 4% malted barley. Aged for six years in American white oak, the bourbon was bottled at 100 proof.

Copperworks Whiskey Vintner’s Cuvée

Copperworks Distilling Co. has unveiled not one, not two, but three new whiskeys this week. The first new whiskey is the Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey Single Cask No. 22-2 7 Year Old. The whiskey is distilled from a mash bill that combines five different types of malted barley: one pale and four caramelized. This mash bill has long been a staple of Copperworks.

Westward Whiskey Vintner’s Cuvée

In its second Whiskey Club offering of 2024, Westward Whiskey has released the Westward Whiskey Vintner’s Cuvée American Single Malt. The new release pays tribute to Westward Whiskey’s success in wine-cask finishing.

Fierce & Kind 110-Proof Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon

Fierce & Kind, a San Diego-based spirits brand, has added a 110-proof bourbon to its portfolio. The Single Barrel Cask Strength expression is made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. In addition to this, Fierce & Kind stays true to its name and donates 25% of the profits from this sale back to the San Diego community through The Fierce & Kind Equity Foundation.

A. Smith Bowman Oak Series

A. Smith Bowman has set a high bar for the start of 2024 with its Abraham Bowman Oak Series release. The whiskey is deep in color and flavor without going overboard. There are rich notes of cherry, grape, and vanilla on the nose, with a woody, buttery undertone. Those berry and fruit flavors continue onto the palate, along with oak, custard, honey, brown sugar, maple, and black pepper notes. The palate veers towards the sweeter side of the spectrum, but it’s bright and complex and never cloying.