It seems like nobody is talking about Old Forester these days. Save for the annual releases of Birthday Bourbon and their regionally limited 117 series, it feels like the excitement has moved on and left some great bottles piling up on shelves. It’s a shame when single barrel at cask strength are all left by their lonesome.

Located in the Yakima Valley of central Washington, Swede Hill Distillery makes a variety of spirits including moonshine, flavored vodkas, and this American whiskey released as single barrels featuring a 45% ABV.

Sweeten’s Cove’s latest whiskey isn’t nearly as limited as pervious release and is a blend of Kentucky and Tennessee whiskies – leading to the moniker “Kennessee”. It rings in at a healthy 110.7 proof and is finished with toasted maple sugar wood.

Litchfield’s 6 year Double Barreled bourbon release is bottled at 45% ABV from a mashbill of corn, barley, and rye, and finished in a secondary barrel for a bit more oomph.

Named after Old Forester’s former 117 Main Street address, their latest 117 expression explores the effect of Caribbean rum casks can have on their Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.

Angel's Envy's latest expression was developed by mixing barrels to reach an exact 100 proof without the addition of water. And in another unusual move for Angel’s Envy, this bourbon does not go through any secondary finishing. Instead, this is pure, unaltered Angel’s Envy bourbon.

Booker's The Reserves has been made from an extremely limited batch of older barrels ranging from 8 – 14 years. It still boasts Booker's signature high proof – coming in at 125.9 proof and remains uncut and unfiltered.

For 2024, Maker’s Mark has brought back the Cellar Aged expression but upped the age even further. The 2024 version of Cellar Aged is now made up of 85% 13 year old whiskies and 15% of 12 year old and boasts an even higher 199.3 proof!

Thee brainchild of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett, Warbringer is distilled using mesquite smoked corn and malted rye and promises “a beast of bourbon” and lots of smoke.

Old Forester 117 Scotch Cask Finish is a limited release expression from Old Forester that comes in 375ml bottles, features a 46.5% ABV, and retails for $59.99.

This rare Elijah Craig release comes in a really interesting 200ml bottle that resembles a bourbon barrel. It clocks in at 62.5% ABV and comes from small batches with that classic Elijah Craig recipe.

While Baker’s remains a good, solid choice from Jim Beam, I won’t be rushing out to get another bottle soon. If I wanted some classic Jim Beam, I’d struggle to pick this over a slightly cheaper (and higher proof) Knob Creek single barrel.

This new(ish) Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash expression rounds out their Bonded series and features a combination of rye, single malt, and Tennessee whiskies blended together to create a 100 proof expression that rings in around $35.