American Whiskey Report November 2025

Welcome to the festive season! I love these whiskey punch recipes for holiday gatherings, because who wants to spend all night shaking cocktails?! And now on to the American whiskey news you can use!

Product Releases

High n' Wicked’s Warlander

Altimar’s High n’ Wicked has released Warlander, a  blended straight whiskey featuring original artwork by artist, filmmaker, and pro skier Chris Benchetler.

• New Riff Distilling and Chattanooga Whiskey have partnered to create The Confluence Project Collaboration. Both distilleries agreed on a mashbill of 60% Red Turkey Wheat, 24% Appalachian Malted Wheat, 8% Dark Malted Wheat and 8% Caramel Malted Wheat and distilled one barrel at each distillery, with each Master Distiller attending the distillation of whiskey at the other’s distillery.

WhistlePig Whiskey The Boss Hog XII

• WhistlePig Whiskey has released The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame, which they claim is the world’s first finish in Pulque Curado de Cacao casks.

• Jack Daniel’s has released a single barrel rye, Tanyard Hill Rye, which features Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Rye Whiskey mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley, charcoal filtered before maturing in new oak barrels.

• Chip Tate, ousted cofounder of Balcones, has a new Kentucky Bourbon on the market: Burnt Tavern.

• The World Whiskey Society has released Henry Deringer 8 year old American Single Malt as well as a Doc Holliday 16 year old cigar blend.

• George Remus, named for the famous wife murderer, has released its 15 year Gatsby Reserve for 2025.

• Knob Creek has released its oldest Bourbon yet at 21 years old.

• Lost Lantern has released a Scotch lovers collection that includes American Vatted Malt Remix,  American Vatted Malt Reissue, Warfield Idaho Single Malt, McCarthy’s Peated Oregon Single Malt 10 Years Old, and three from Triple Eight Distillery including riple Eight Peated Massachusetts Single Malt, Triple Eight Massachusetts Single Malt 10 Years Old, and Triple Eight Sauternes Cask Aged Massachusetts Single Malt 11 Years Old. 

Town Branch 16 year old Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt whiskey

• Town Branch has released a 16 year old Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt whiskey.

• Jeptha Creed has released its fourth batch of red, white, and blue corn Bourbon with proceeds from this batch benefitting Paws of War.

• Cedar Ridge Distillery has released two annual releases, Double Barrel Bourbon and Double Barrel Rye.

• Old Potrero has released Christmas Spirit, a whiskey distilled from spiced ale.

• Southern Distilling has released its second batch of Star Bourbon finished in honey barrels.

• Michter’s has released its coveted 20 year old Bourbon at 114.2 proof.

• Willett has released its coveted Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon. This year’s blend includes 70% of a mash bill of 72% corn, 13% rye, 15% malted barley and 30% of a mash bill of 52% corn, 38% rye, 10% malted barley.

• Castle & Key has released Castle & Key Straight Rye Finished in Extra Old Haitian Rhum Casks and Castle & Key Wheated Bourbon Cask Strength 2025 Edition.

• Barrell Craft Spirits has released its annual New Year Bourbon 2026 featuring Bourbons from IN, TN, KY, WY, MD, NY, and OH.

• Archer Eland Whiskey was released by industry veteran Wendy Peivich.

• Lexington Catholic priest Father Jim Sichko has released a private barrel of Willett wheated Bourbon to raise money for various charities.

• Bardstown Bourbon Company has released its DIstillery Reserve Calvados finished Bourbon.

• Mendocino Spirits has released a commemorative blended Bourbon in honor of founder Crispin Cain’s Uncle Frank, a cargo plane pilot in WWII.

• Sazerac Rye Whiskey Full Proof has become a permanent line extension for the brand.

• Old Forester has released a commemorative Bourbon named for the brand’s first African-American Chemist, Elmer Lucille Allen, available at the distillery.

People News

• MGP Ingredients has named Matias Bentel as its chief marketing officer and Chris Wiseman as its senior vice president.

Buzzard's Roost Single Barrel Thief Vert

Other News

• Buzzard’s Roost is offering a retail single barrel pick option for individuals and groups not otherwise associated with a license holder. Half and full barrels are available and can be booked on the Buzzard’s Roost website.

• Hinterhaus has celebrated five years in business.

• The American Whiskey Association, a brand new trade organization formed this year, has submitted formal comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) and President Michael Bilello has issued the following statement: “American whiskey is more than a product — it’s a national story of craftsmanship and economic strength. Our continued growth depends on maintaining open, stable trade relationships with key partners like Canada and Mexico. Strengthening the USMCA ensures that American whiskey remains a symbol of U.S. excellence around the world. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) to promote fair trade and shared prosperity for our entire industry.”

• Independent Stave has joined the aforementioned American Whiskey Association as a founding member.

• DISCUS President Chris Swonger issued the following statement regarding beverage alcohol tariffs going into the holiday season: ““Not including EU and UK spirits on the list of tariff modifications is yet another blow to the U.S. hospitality industry just as the critical holiday season kicks into high gear. EU and UK spirits, including Scotch, Cognac, and Irish Whiskey, are value-added agricultural products that cannot be produced in the United States. Alcohol sales account for roughly 21% of total restaurant revenue. Our analysis shows that a 15% tariff on EU spirits alone could result in $1 billion in lost U.S. sales and the elimination of 12,000 American jobs.”

• Buffalo Trace is hosting “Holidays at the Trace” throughout the season with family-friendly holiday light events and 21+ cocktail events.

Book Recommendations

Makers and Shakers

• Makers and Shakers: A Hidden History of Black Americans in Booze by Troy Hughes. See our review.

• The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit by Noah Rothbaum.

Jeptha Creed Pumpkin Pie Martini

Bonus Cocktail Recipe

Jeptha Creed Pumpkin Pie Martini

2 oz Jeptha Creed Wheated Bourbon
2 dash Ne Oublie Black Walnut Bitters
1 oz egg white
½ oz Spiced Simple Syrup
1 oz Pumpkin Puree
Graham Cracker crumbs
Chocolate ganache

Rim martini glass with ganache and graham cracker crumbles and chill. Add all ingredients to the shaking tin and shake without ice. Add ice, shake again. Double strain into martini glass.