Fall and whiskey go together like tailgates and barbecue.
That slight nip in the air begs for a rich, belly-warming tipple, and Tennessee offers no shortage of whiskeys to hunker down with. And sure, you could go with your tried-and-true favorites, but in the spirit of the season, a little bit of change just might do you—and your home bar—some good. With that, we’ve rounded up a list of five new whiskeys to hit the Nashville market this year. Some are sourced from local distilleries, while others offer a taste of what’s happening in other whiskey-producing states. Each brings something new to the table, whether it’s a first-time foray into the world of bourbon or a little experimentation with heavy metal music. Bottoms up!
HAPPENSTANCE
Another female-powered whiskey to put on your radar, Happenstance is a straight bourbon whiskey that’s blended and bottled in Nashville by founder Paige Parker. Clocking it at 90-proof, this full-bodied juice is double-distilled and aged for four years in new American oak barrels, lending it a complex combination of vanilla, hazelnut, toasted oak, honey, and toffee notes. Parker focused on the design of the bottle as intensely as she did in cultivating the flavors inside, resulting in an edgy, sleek bottle that stands out on just about any bar cart. (Happenstance, $55.99; happenstancewhiskey.com)
DICKEL BOURBON
Located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. is best known for their George Dickel line of Tennessee Whisky. But with the guidance of superstar distiller Nicole Austin, the vaunted distillery put out its first-ever handcrafted small-batch bourbon earlier this year. Austin sampled thousands of barrels in the distillery’s inventory before selecting the final liquid—an approachable blend that’s been aged for eight years with sweet notes of vanilla and bright hints of cherry and orange that are evenly balanced by almond, toffee, and oak. At 90-proof it won’t scorch the palate, letting you fully enjoy the nuanced flavor profile either neat or on the rocks. (Dickel Bourbon, $32; georgedickel.com/ whisky/dickel-bourbon)
ORPHAN BARREL COPPER TONGUE
Another member of the Cascade Hollow family, Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Co. prides itself in finding forgotten barrels of rare and delicious whiskey and giving them a home. Their latest release, Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue, is a cask strength 16-year-old straight bourbon whiskey discovered by Nicole Austin in Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s single story rickhouse. Its approachable profile clocks in at 89.8-proof and offers juicy bursts of candied orange with hints of cedar that are best enjoyed neat or garnished with a slice of pear. (Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue, $100; orphanbarrel.com/ our-whiskeys/copper-tongue)'
Shannon Sturgis
BASIL HAYDEN TOAST
The newest permanent expression to join the Basil Hayden family, Basil Hayden Toast is a reimagining of its traditional whiskey with the use of a toasted barrel. In lieu of traditional rye grain, the Toast expression is made using U.S.- grown brown rice, which imparts a hint of sweetness and a touch less spice, while a secondary toasted barrel finish draws out notes of caramelized sugar and toasted wood. After aging, the toasted brown rice bourbon is blended back with more brown rice bourbon that has been rested in level four char barrels. The result: a mellow 80-proof sipper grounded in sweet vanilla and rich roasted notes. (Basil Hayden Toast, $49.99; basilhaydenbourbon.com/toast)
BLACKENED X WILLETT KENTUCKY STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY FINISHED IN MADEIRA CASKS
Part of Blackened’s “Masters of Whiskey” series, their newest expression partners the brand’s master distiller and blender Rob Dietrich with Willett Distillery and master distiller Drew Kulsveen to produce a rye whiskey that’s married and finished in Madeira casks for up to 14 weeks. During the finishing process, the juice is subjected to their proprietary Black Noise sonic-enhancement process, which involves pummeling the casks with low hertz frequencies produced by metal band Metallica’s music. The frequencies visibly shake the finishing barrels, causing greater interaction between the whiskey and the wood. Expect a palate filled with buttery caramel, earthy mint, and fresh-cut hay, that rolls into a smooth vanilla, cinnamon butter, and dark walnut finish. (Blackened x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Madeira Cask, $139.99; blackenedwhiskey.com)
