New American whiskey and bourbon releases from the past week include an extra-aged expression from Knob Creek and a limited-edition Pride expression from Fierce & Kind. Wyoming Whiskey releases Outryder 2024, and Next Century Spirits releases a tequila-finished bourbon. 

Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey 

Beloved whiskey brand, Knob Creek, has expanded its core portfolio with the addition of a 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey. 

The new rye whiskey is distilled pre-Prohibition style in deeply charred barrels with a rich and spicy profile. Made from the same mash bill as the brand’s 7 Year Old Rye, this whiskey is aged for three extra years, resulting in a deep and complex rye whiskey bottled at 100 proof. 

Tasting notes for the new release are as follows: 

“Color: Tawny with waves of copper
Aroma: Rich caramel and vanilla, deep rye spice, and dried apple
Taste: Black peppercorn, creamy vanilla and caramel, and hints of deep oak and char
Finish: Smooth, lingering notes of baking spice”

The Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey is now available nationwide with an RRP of $69.99. 

Fierce & Kind Limited Pride Release Straight (Gay) Bourbon 

In celebration of Pride Month, Fierce & Kind has unveiled some limited edition Pride expressions. These include the Straight (Gay) Bourbon, and a single barrel expression. 

The Fierce & Kind Limited Pride Release Straight (Gay) Bourbon is a limited edition bottling of the brand’s award-winning 86 proof straight whiskey. Distilled from sustainably sourced local grains, the Straight (Gay) Whiskey was aged for two years and 11 months prior to bottling. 

Tasting notes for this new release are: “A very accessible yet sophisticated bourbon with notes of fruit, vanilla, caramel, and cream layered until a slight rye spice finish.” 

The Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight (Gay) Bourbon Whiskey is also an award winner, picking up a Gold Medal at the ASCOT Awards 2023. Bottled at 110 proof, this single barrel expression is an easy drinker. 

In honor of Pride Month and all those who celebrate, Fierce & Kind is donating 25% of all profits from the sale of its limited Pride expressions to The San Diego LGBT Community Center. The center supports “the health, wellbeing and human rights of the full diversity of San Diego’s LGBTQ community through targeted programs and services”. Fierce & Kind, a minority and woman-led brand, has always strived to support those who are underprivileged in their community. 

The Fierce & Kind Limited Edition Pride bottles can be pre-ordered here. Happy Pride! 

Wyoming Whiskey Outryder 2024 Straight American Whiskey 

Wyoming Whiskey has unveiled the 2024 edition of its famous Outryder Straight American Whiskey. Billed as “neither a bourbon or a true rye”, the whiskey was distilled from a blend of two different mash bills. 

The resulting tasting notes are as follows:

“Nose: Baked orchard fruit with cinnamon and chocolate hazelnut
Palate: Maple syrup with candied walnuts and orange bitters
Finish: Lingering chocolate and espresso bean”

Outryder was first released in 2016, and is to this day a flagship expression from Wyoming Whiskey, constituting the brand’s first use of rye grain. However, the use of rye grain was something of a reluctant action on the part of Bourbon Hall of Famer, Steve Nally. Nally, who was Wyoming Whiskey’s distiller in 2010, was asked by co-founder David DeFazio to create a rye whiskey. Nally was reluctant and expressed that he did not want to work with rye. 

According to the press release: “The founders encouraged Nally to reconsider, and he ultimately surrendered to the request. Two different whiskies were laid down in late 2011, nearly 100 barrels of “rye” and 200 barrels of bourbon made with rye. 

“In 2016, after Nally had left Wyoming Whiskey, it was time to bottle. New distiller Sam Mead called DeFazio to explain that the whiskey Nally had produced was only 48% rye, which disqualified it from the rye whiskey category. The team was stunned. DeFazio called Nally and said, “I want you to know that the ‘rye’ you made is spectacular — but why did you use only 48% rye in the mash bill?” Nally responded with an implied smirk, “Because I told you I didn’t want to make a rye.” Thus, Wyoming Whiskey Outryder was born.”

The new Wyoming Whiskey Outryder is currently available only in Wyoming for an RRP of $84.99. 

Next Century Spirits Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve 

Last but not least is a new experimental cask finish from Next Century Spirits. Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve is 3 Year Old Bourbon whiskey finished in reposado tequila casks. 

The whiskey is distilled from a mash bill comprising 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4 malted barley. It was aged for a minimum of three years before being finished in the tequila casks, imparting notes of peppery spice and caramel. Full tasting notes are: 

“Nose: Toasted oak, vanilla, a touch of cloves, hint of black pepper and cooked agave
Tasting notes: Vanilla, caramel and peppery spice
Finish: This whiskey finishes like a tequila with a subtle smokiness at the back of the palate”

Speaking about the unique release, Anthony Moniello (Co-CEO of Next Century Spirits) said: “Coming off the success of our initial brand launch with Bear Fight American Single Malt, we wanted to push the boundaries of what a bourbon can be. We wanted to craft an innovative bourbon that allowed us to tap into two growing liquor categories and by leveraging ex-reposado barrels to finish our whiskey, we know we will not only stand out on shelves but also index our business into the thriving bourbon and tequila categories.”

With an RRP of $34.99, Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve is available at selected stores in CT, KY, IL, MN, and NJ, as well as at BearFightWhiskey.com. The nationwide rollout will begin later in 2024.