Whiskey Roundup — Week of November 15–22, 2026

This week brings a compelling mix of holiday releases, craft innovation, and heritage expressions. From Texas raising its Bottled-in-Bond game to Scotland unveiling sherry-finished stunners, the whiskey world continues to deliver compelling reasons to explore new bottles. Whether you’re chasing limited editions or seeking everyday sippers with a twist, here’s what you need to know.

This Week’s Headlines

• Garrison Brothers releases its second Bottled-in-Bond bourbon of 2026, cementing Texas’s place in serious American whiskey
• Blue Note brings back its 17-Year Barrel Proof Tennessee bourbon after a four-year hiatus
• Bunnahabhain and Glengoyne unveil sherry-finished expressions perfect for the holiday season
• WhistlePig goes full dessert mode with a Maple Crème Brûlée rye finished in re-charred maple syrup barrels

New & Notable Releases

Bourbon

Blue Note 17-Year Barrel Proof returns to market after four years away, and it’s a welcome comeback. Just 4,000 bottles of this Tennessee straight bourbon hit Seelbach’s on November 20 at 119 proof and $174.99. The extended aging delivers deep caramel and oak notes that bourbon nerds have been missing since the 2022 release.

Garrison Brothers Bottled-in-Bond marks the Texas distillery’s second BiB release of the year, launched November 14 during their annual Red, White & Bourbon fundraiser benefiting The National Museum of the Pacific War. This six-year expression clocks in at 100 proof and carries a $89.99 price tag. Made with Texas-grown grains and proofed with Hill Country rainwater, 19,500 bottles rolled out to retailers, restaurants, and e-commerce by month’s end.

Chattanooga Whiskey Batch 049: Honey Hot Toddy went on sale November 12 at the Experimental Distillery for $49.99. The bourbon infuses four-year-plus whiskey with local honey, lemon, spices, and cayenne—a seasonal sipper designed for cold-weather evenings.

Pursuit United Joint Operations Bourbon honored Veterans Day with an 825-bottle release at 108 proof and $74.99. Blended by veterans from four military branches, it’s a limited commemorative expression that sold fast.

Rye

WhistlePig 12-Year Maple Crème Brûlée became available November 5 for $124.99, and it’s as decadent as the name suggests. The Vermont distillery finished this 12-year rye in re-charred barrels that previously held their own maple syrup, developing maple, caramel, and spice notes reminiscent of actual crème brûlée. At 86 proof, it’s approachable enough for dessert sipping.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye brings the popular double oak treatment to rye for the first time. After standard maturation, the whiskey spends a full year in new charred oak barrels, adding depth and sweetness. It’s hitting select retailers this month for $55—a reasonable ask for Woodford’s craftsmanship.

Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Volume 6 dropped November 1 with a unique twist: peach brandy barrel finishing plus toasted oak. The fruit-forward finish adds a summery brightness that stands out in a crowded rye market.

Scotch

Bunnahabhain 12-Year Cask Strength 2026 Edition showcases the Islay distillery’s lighter, unpeated style at full power. Bottled at 55.8% ABV and priced at £90, this annual release splits maturation equally between first-fill Oloroso sherry and bourbon casks. Expect dried fruit, gentle spice, and chocolate from the sherry balanced by vanilla, honey, and toasted coconut from the bourbon side.

Glengoyne 2013 Vintage Pedro Ximénez Cask Edition launched November 11 as a festive release limited to 9,000 bottles. Initially matured in first-fill and re-fill Oloroso casks, the whisky received final maturation in first-fill PX sherry casks, delivering rich sweetness at 47.7% ABV for £70.

Irish & Japanese

Teeling Rising Reserve released its fifth and final bottling on November 10—a 21-year-old Irish single malt that closes out this premium series. If you’ve been collecting the Rising Reserve releases, this is your last chance.

An Gael Spirit of the Celts partnered with Celtic Football Club to launch a new premium Irish whiskey range on November 12, targeting international markets with sports-driven branding.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony 2026 Limited Edition arrived November 10 in collaboration with legendary kimono house Chiso. The packaging alone makes this collectible, but Hibiki’s signature elegance remains the real draw.

Craft & Limited Editions

Breckenridge Distillery launched the 2 Mile High Whiskey Club on November 11, giving members access to whiskeys that never make retail shelves. One of the most awarded craft distilleries in the U.S., Breckenridge is betting on direct-to-consumer relationships as craft distillers navigate tightening market access.

Chattanooga Whiskey’s Honey Hot Toddy (covered above) exemplifies the experimental mindset at Tennessee’s scrappiest distillery. These small-batch releases from the Experimental Distillery rarely last long.

Texas Distillery Spotlight

Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, continues its impressive 2026 run with the second Bottled-in-Bond bourbon of the year. While many distilleries talk about terroir, Garrison Brothers walks the walk—using Texas-grown grains and Hill Country rainwater to create distinctly Texan bourbon.

The Bottled-in-Bond designation requires whiskey to be the product of one distillation season, one distiller, one distillery, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. It’s a stamp of authenticity that dates back to 1897, and Garrison Brothers is proving that Texas bourbon can meet those exacting standards while developing its own character.

This six-year expression sold out quickly at the distillery’s Red, White & Bourbon fundraiser benefiting The National Museum of the Pacific War in nearby Fredericksburg. With 19,500 bottles heading to market, there’s a better chance of finding this one than the distillery’s ultra-limited Cowboy Bourbon releases. At $89.99, it sits comfortably between everyday bourbon and special occasion pours.

Garrison Brothers has quietly become Texas’s most respected whiskey producer, earning shelf space alongside Kentucky and Tennessee heavyweights. If you’ve written off Texas bourbon, this Bottled-in-Bond expression is worth reconsidering.

What We’re Pouring This Week

If you can grab the Blue Note 17-Year for near MSRP, do it—Tennessee whiskey at this age and proof doesn’t come around often. The Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Rye at $55 looks like strong value for everyday rye drinkers who want more complexity than standard releases. And if you’re feeling adventurous, the WhistlePig Maple Crème Brûlée makes a wild after-dinner sipper, especially if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

On the Scotch side, Glengoyne’s PX Cask Edition at £70 delivers serious holiday appeal—rich, sweet, and complex enough to justify the price. Meanwhile, Garrison Brothers Bottled-in-Bond deserves a spot in any American whiskey collection, showing that Texas isn’t just about heat and hype.

On the Horizon

December will bring the usual holiday releases, but keep an eye on STANHOPE OAK Rye from Artisan Spirits, launching late November. Craft distilleries like Breckenridge are doubling down on direct-to-consumer clubs, signaling a shift in how small producers reach customers. And if Bunnahabhain’s distillery-exclusive releases (504 bottles each) are any indication, distillery-direct shopping will remain the best way to score truly limited bottlings.

As Marcus Aurelius reminds us: “Confine yourself to the present.” In whiskey terms, that means appreciating what’s in your glass right now rather than endlessly chasing allocated bottles. The best whiskey is the one you’re actually drinking.