If you’re a fan of bourbon or whiskey, you’re aware of the current (and ongoing) bourbon/whiskey craze taking over America. With bourbon shortages and many flocking to Kentucky for a sacred sip, it’s almost impossible to avoid this wave of enthusiasm for the two beverages.
With more and more brands and bottles popping up on the scene, there’s more options than ever before for bourbon and whiskey lovers. Among all the noise and craze, here are our bourbons and whiskeys to watch for 2022.
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Origin Story: Like many 23-year-olds fresh out of college, Greg Metze didn’t quite know what he was going to do with his life. After visiting a job fair on his college campus, he met a few representatives from Seagram’s, which was the world’s largest producer and distributor of distilled spirits. From that moment on, while still not knowing exactly what it was he was going to do, Greg decided he was going to work for a whiskey company.
42 years later and Greg is still maintaining that decision, except he is now the master distiller at Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado. He credits his time working at Seagram’s for his knowledge and training surrounding bourbon and whiskey.
The Taste: Smooth, easy, and enjoyable. That’s what Greg Metze was aiming for when creating Old Elk, and that’s exactly what he has achieved.
Old Elk Wheated Bourbon Whiskey appears burnt-orange and carries a rather muted smell. The taste is mellow, and many compare its lingering mark with toasted oak and butter pecan cookies.
Nulu Single Barrel Bourbon
Origin Story: It’s rare you run into business owners willing to take risks, try new methods, and think outside the box. Nulu’s master distiller Harrison Hayden accomplishes this with his unique process and desire for perfection.
While searching for the perfect blend, Harrison was concocting his own blends in small barrels. He was constantly tweaking recipes and seeking out new flavors for his new bourbon.
What’s interesting, though, is what happens to the barrels once they are done housing the distillery’s aged bourbon. They actually break down the old worn barrels and convert them into furniture!
The Taste: One sip of Nulu and you’ll know right away this is a younger bourbon. While the body holds a sweet corn flavor, it does not produce an overly ethanol taste. Think of dried tobacco, oak, and a smokey campfire.
Stellum Rye
Origin Story: Everyone needs a good, solid rye to keep on their shelf. This was Joe Beatrice’s mentality when founding Barrel Craft Spirits’ newest output, Stellum Spirits. Beatrice has also been vocal about the importance of balancing intuition with observation and experimentation, which lingers throughout each of his spirits.
The Taste: Delicate and fruity with faint hints of wood, Stellum Rye’s taste is that of summer berries infused with cinnamon, rye, and a kick of pepper. Versatile yet uncomplicated, the Stellum Rye is smooth and easy to drink between its balance of spicy and fruity.
Penelope Bourbon Rosé Cask Finish
Origin Story: Whiskey finished in wine barrels? Sure, we’ve seen it before. But, a whiskey finished in rosé casks? Not so much.
Penelope Rosé Cask is a bourbon that is finished in, you guessed it, aged rosé casks. Penelope founder Mike Paladini says, “Bourbon is having its moment this year, and to celebrate, we wanted to create something that was completely new to the aisle — something that would pique customer curiosity and allow fans to experience bourbon in an entirely new way.”
Though the Penelope Bourbon Rosé Cask Finish is said to have a limited release of 2,400 bottles, they have plans for additional releases in the future.
The Taste: Delicate and light, with sweet and refreshing hints of vanilla and cream. You’ll definitely taste the hints of its origin with herbal and floral notes flowing throughout each sip. The lingering finish is rich and botanical.
New Riff Bourbon
Origin Story: Most business ventures come from humble beginnings, and the New Riff BIB is no different! What was once a liquor store is now a distillery producing the newly beloved New Riff BIB bourbon.
Once the distillery was finished being built, owner Jay Erisman headed down the river to MGP to pick up one of the master distillers from the old Seagram’s distillery. Of course, their first launched brand, OKI, was a massive hit. Then, later down the line, Jay released a high rye bourbon and a 100% rye whiskey that are currently making massive waves in the market.
The Taste: Punches of cinnamon followed by dark berries and subtle vanilla — that’s what you can expect when taking a sip of New Riff BIB. The refreshing bourbon leaves a lingering taste of deep rye and a hint of pepper.
