Discover the Best Whiskey 2022: New Releases to Try This December

“Ever had whiskey that was poured from a pig’s rear?” asked WhistlePig. Now we have. Plus, new bottles from Uncle Nearest and Maker's Mark.

WhistlePig 10 Limited Edition PiggyBank being poured on a table. The uniquely shaped decanter means you're literally pouring from the pig's rear.

No matter the vessel or the opening, the rye is good

By Kirk Miller

Welcome back to our monthly guide to all things whisk(e)y. Instead of the usual 10 picks, we went with 12 (for the days of Christmas or because we had way too much good whiskey to choose from). Below, the best new whiskeys of December 2022

WhistlePig 10 Limited Edition PiggyBank
WhistlePig

WhistlePig 10 Limited Edition PiggyBank

After 10 years of “fearless attempts” (including “fermenting yeast foraged from a ham’s hind”), WhistlePig’s latest experiment piggy experiment is a rye bottled at 110 proof in a porcine decanter (which is based on a 19th-century Berkshire Bitter Pig). The bottle is a showstopper, while the rye is just what you’d expect from this Vermont distillery — a lot of oak spice, brown sugar, candied fruit and a hint of dill and mint. 

Maker’s Mark BRT-01 and BRT-02
Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark BRT-01 and BRT-02

The two latest releases in the distillery’s Wood Finishing Series (an annual release of limited-edition bottles that emphasize various elements in the bourbon production process) focus on barrel rotation with the distillery’s warehouses. BRT-01 is influenced by the flavor profiles found at the warmer top of the rickhouse — a lot of oak, plus notes of caramel popcorn, dark fruit, a hint of anise and a toasty warm finish. Meanwhile, BRT-02 is inspired by the cooler bottom of the rickhouse, which offers up notes of praline, chocolate, dark fruit, raisin and cinnamon gum.

Rye & Sons 2022 Straight Rye Whiskey
Rye & Sons

Rye & Sons 2022 Straight Rye Whiskey

How does a winemaker approach rye? This approachable and affordable (under $30) debut from former Per Se sommelier André Hueston Mack will offer up different vintages every year. The inaugural bottle is spicy and youthful (which isn’t a bad thing for a rye), with notes of mint, oak, brown sugar, anise and orange peel. 

Arcane Imperial
Arcane Distilling

Arcane Imperial

This Bushwick brewery utilizes vacuum distillation to make unique beer-based spirits. Their second release, crafted and aged in just a matter of weeks, is a whiskey built from an Imperial Stout; it’s heavy on the chocolate notes, albeit more in a bitter than a sweet way. This one leans more toward beer flavors than whiskey, but it seems ideal for a new take on an Old Fashioned. 

Three new permanent expressions from Uncle Nearest
Uncle Nearest

Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey and Single Barrel Black Label

I was able to try two of three new permanent expressions (pictured above) for this award-winning Tennessee whiskey distillery. This rye (100% rye mashbill and 100 proof) is sourced from Canada, aged in New York and then rested in used Uncle Nearest barrels. A lot of bready dough on the nose and a delectable balance of sweet and spicy on the palate, with notes of vanilla, anise and mint.

The Single Barrel Black Label, meanwhile, is Uncle Nearest’s own juice. At 59% ABV, this whiskey is very dark in color. I got chicory on the nose, with notes of brown sugar, oak, caramel, dark fruit (particularly raspberry), orange zest and a hint of tobacco on the palate. A drop of water brought out the fruit more. A winner. 

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old and 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
The Glenlivet Distilling Company

The Glenlivet 21 Year Old and 25 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

The Speyside single malt purveyor has “reimagined” their 21 and 25 Year Old expressions via new cask finishes and packaging. The 21 is finished in first-fill Oloroso sherry, Troncais oak Cognac and Vintage Colheita port casks, offering up hints of ginger, caramelized pears and nutmeg. The 25, meanwhile, is finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry and Troncais oak Cognac casks, offering up notes of orange, fig, oak and even a bit of charred pineapple. 

Booker’s Bourbon 2022-03 “Kentucky Tea Batch”

Booker's Bourbon

Starward Vitalis

Starward

2XO: The Phoenix Blend

Prestige Beverage Group

Bushmills Rare Cask #3

Bushmills

Paul John Indian Single Malt Christmas

Paul John Whisky

Hemingway Rye Whiskey First Edition

Hemingway Whisky

And six more: 

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