Looking for a new bourbon? Here are five releases (and one gin!) you should try this month

Kentucky distilleries are constantly coming up with something special and August is no different. This month, Old Forester is unveiling its new 117 Series: Rum Finish, Hidden Barn releases a seven-year-old bourbon, Elijah Craig releases its Toasted Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, and more.

Here's what to know about the Kentucky bourbon (and gin!) scene this month:

Buzzards Roost launches first bottled-in-bond bourbon

Buzzards Roost is marking its fifth anniversary with the launch of its first bottled-in-bond bourbon.

Buzzards Roost has a mash bill of 31% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley, making it "a smooth sipper with the sweet kiss that wheat brings to the party," according to the brand.

“We knew this one was special the minute we tasted it,” Buzzard’s Roost co-founder and CEO Judy Hollis Jones said in a news release. Flavor is our differentiator, and the high scores that this whiskey has already earned from the most respected whiskey experts in the world is a testament to its excellence. It instantly became one of my personal favorites."

Buzzard’s Roost Bottled in Bond Bourbon is available at Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience, 624 W. Main St., online and at retailers for a suggested retail price of $71.99.

Elijah Craig launches Toasted Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Elijah Craig has launched its newest expression, a Toasted Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which features complex layers of soft and creamy milk chocolate that add to the characteristic spice notes of Elijah Craig Straight Rye.

The process begins with fully matured Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, which is dumped and then re-entered at barrel proof into a second, custom-toasted new oak barrel designed in partnership with Independent Stave Company, according to a news release from the company.

"From the moment our tasting panel tried Elijah Craig Toasted Rye through our ongoing innovation process, we knew this expression was going to be special," Elijah Craig Group Product Director Max Stefka said in the release. "The custom toasted barrel from our partners at Independent Stave Company takes an already world-class whiskey and adds in a dessert-like bouquet of flavors."

Elijah Craig Toasted Rye has an aroma of toasted oak, crème brûlée, almond, and hazelnut. "Notes of milk chocolate and subtle baking spices fill the palate, while a creamy mouth feel begins to take shape. The finish is soft and warm with lingering, drawn-out spices," according to tasting notes from the brand.

Suggested retail price is $54.99. For more information, visit elijahcraig.com .

Hidden Barn releases seven-year-old double-barreled bourbon

Hidden Barn , a bourbon brand that launched in 2022, has released a seven-year-old double-barreled bourbon finished in French oak.

The brand, which was acquired by Royce Neeley from the Neeley Family Distillery , continues to be created in partnership with Master Blender Jackie Zykan. This first release for Hidden Barn under the Neeley family of brands is a seven-year-old expression, aged five years in 24-month open-air seasoned barrels, and then barreled in new charred French oak barrels for an additional two years, according to a news release.

“We’re excited to continue partnering with Jackie on Hidden Barn and to release what is ironically, her seventh blend of Hidden Barn Bourbon,” Royce Neeley, master distiller and owner of Neeley Family Distillery said in the release. “We can expect to see more one-of-a-kind releases in the future.”

Hidden Barn Seven-Year-Old Bourbon has a bouquet of overripe blackberry and red currant, coupled with crème brulee and a hint of spearmint. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, with a semi-dry rounded finish, coupled with toasted allspice, banana bread, and black pepper, according to the tasting notes in the release.

The Hidden Barn Seven-Year-Old Bourbon has already snagged a gold medal with a score of 91 at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition .

Suggested retail is $79.99. For more information, visit hiddenbarnwhiskey.com .

Knob Creek releases Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

Knob Creek is releasing a new, bourbon and rye blended whiskey — Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey. The limited-edition release combines two of Knob Creek's award-winning whiskeys; Knob Creek 9-Year-Old Bourbon and Knob Creek 7-Year-Old Rye Whiskey, into one unique blend that embodies the best of both whiskey worlds.

Crafted and bottled at 113 proof, Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye has a balance of "the rich, sweet notes of bourbon complemented by the robust, spicy undertones of rye," according to a news release announcing the new expression.

"Knob Creek has captivated whiskey fans since its inception and this year, we are pushing traditional whiskey boundaries with our new Bourbon x Rye blend, delivering two of our best expressions, in one flavorful sip," Freddie Noe, eighth-generation master distiller, said in the release.

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye is available for a limited time nationwide with a suggested retail price of $44.99 for a 750mL bottle. For more information, visit KnobCreek.com .

Old Forester releases its latest in the 117 Series: Rum Finish

Old Forester released its latest expression in the 117 Series: Rum Finish. This expression features the finishing of Old Forester in barrels that have matured rum for a minimum of four years, bringing notes of rich tropical fruit, coconut, and custard to the profile, according to a release announcing the new blend.

"By finishing our signature bourbon for approximately six months in these rum barrels, we have complimented and accentuated the sweet aromatics of Old Forester with hints of brown sugar and molasses, emboldening its rich character," Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo said in the release. "Rum Finish provides a sweet addition to the series that whiskey aficionados – and rum drinkers – will love."

The expression has notes of buttery toffee, banana custard, coconut, and fresh apple on the nose and finishes with a compelling dynamic of creaminess and spice surrounded by plenty of sweet fruit and red licorice, according to tasting notes in the release.

Old Forester 117 Series: Rum Finish is available at select retailers and online at shop.oldforester.com in a two-bottle set. The suggested retail price for the 375 ml bottle is $64.99 and the suggested retail price for the two-bottle set is $129.98.

For more information, visit OldForester.com .

West End Gin, a new citrus-forward gin from Louisville, launches

West End Gin, a new premium citrus-forward gin from Louisville, has entered the market.

West End Gin borrows its name from the west Louisville area, known for its rich Black heritage. It is a highly aromatic gin, with a clean, crisp, yet smooth taste profile that plays hopscotch between a London Dry and a more modern contemporary gin, according to a news release announcing the new brand.

West End Gin is crafted with sweet and bitter orange peel, along with 12 other ingredients: juniper, coriander, cardamom, lemon peel, sweet orange peel, bitter orange peel, grapefruit peel, lemongrass, lemon verbena, jasmine, angelica root, orris root, grains of paradise, and cassia, the release states.

“West End Gin is a top-shelf choice that will elevate traditional gin cocktails, but it’s more than just a premium spirit; it reflects the vibrant Black culture of west Louisville and demonstrates our commitment to community empowerment,” Dr. Dawn and Stacey Wade, West End Gin owners, wrote in a news release. “With every bottle sold, we aim to uplift communities and generate wealth within the areas we cherish, beginning with Louisville’s West End."

West End Gin is available at select Louisville retailers for a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750ml bottle.

A second expression from West End Gin, The Rose Ann Edition, will be available soon with a fresh tasting profile incorporating the original 14 botanicals with the addition of rosebud petals and fenugreek.

For more information on West End Gin, follow on social media @westendgin.

Reach news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Looking for a new bourbon? Here are five releases (and one gin!) you should try this month