Whisky Lovers Rejoice: New Releases and Rare Finds

The world of whisky is abuzz with excitement as new releases and rare finds are making headlines. From the return of a fan favorite to the discovery of a hard-to-find bourbon, there’s something for every whisky enthusiast.

Laphroaig Brings Back Its 18-Year-Old Single Malt

After a nearly decade-long absence, Laphroaig’s 18-year-old single malt is back and better than ever. This Islay distillery, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, has added three new expressions to its incredibly popular range of single malts. The 18-year-old expression, which was previously available, has been matured in ex-bourbon casks and boasts flavors of leather, seaweed, orange, honey, ginger, and tobacco.

But that’s not all - Laphroaig has also released its annual Cairdeas expression, which is initially available exclusively to the Friends of Laphroaig club before becoming available to the general public. This year’s edition, called Cask Favorites, is a tribute to two past releases: 2019’s Triple Wood and 2021 PX Cask. The result is a deep and dark whisky with notes of marmalade and ginger on the nose, followed by grape candy, spice, dark berries, caramelized brown sugar, and of course, intense smokiness on the palate.

Image: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2024

Elements 2.0: Experimenting with Fermentation

The newest addition to the Laphroaig lineup is Elements 2.0, the second release in the Elements series that launched last year. This whisky is all about experimentation, with a focus on fermentation techniques. The usual fermentation time for Laphroaig is 55 hours, but this was pushed up to a total of 115 hours to emphasize fruity notes while keeping the smokiness intact. The result is a whisky with green apples, honey, cream soda, and soft peat on the palate.

Image: Laphroaig Elements 2.0

The Elusive Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

If you’re on the hunt for a hard-to-find whiskey, you might be surprised to find it at Costco. A Redditor recently discovered a bottle of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon at the Burbank, California Costco for $56.89 - a steal considering it can sell for over $100 in Kentucky and $220 elsewhere.

Blanton’s is considered an excellent whiskey, and its scarcity is partially due to its production process. The single-barrel whiskey ages three to four times longer than many others, and the distillery regulates purchases to one every three months. But don’t worry - it’s not impossible to find, and it’s definitely worth the hunt.

Image: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Chichibu Releases Fifth 7even Gods of Fortunes Whisky

Dutch spirits distributor Salud Spirits has revealed the fifth edition of the Chichibu 7even Gods of Fortunes series: Fukurokuju. This whisky is aged for eight years in a first-fill Bourbon cask and bottled at 61% ABV. The series contains seven bottlings of Chichibu single cask whiskies, released from 2022 to 2025, each named after a god worshipped in Japan since the Middle Ages.

Image: Chichibu Fukurokuju

Giving Back

In line with the Seven Gods’ beneficiary nature, Salud Spirits is celebrating the release by helping those less fortunate with a special benefit in partnership with the Japanese Consulate in The Hague, the Netherlands. The benefit, which will be announced later, is held in support of Second Harvest Japan, a charity helping those in hunger have access to food.

Image: Second Harvest Japan

Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or just starting your journey, there’s never been a better time to explore the world of whisky. With new releases and rare finds popping up left and right, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Image: Whisky Lovers Unite