Top 10 Most Anticipated Whiskeys Releases of 2023

It’s that time of year again. We’ve recovered from the gluttony of the holiday season and New Year’s Resolutions are long forgotten. We’re rising from our January slumber. That can only mean one thing: another year of limited whiskey releases.

For us whale hunters and dragon slayers the race is on. There is no better time than now to satisfy our whiskey acquisition syndrome (WAS). Maybe it’s that annual release of a small batch or that rare vintage bottling keeping you awake at night. 

Our Top 10 Whiskeys for 2023

Putting together this shortlist has been no small feat. We are sure we’ve left out plenty of favorites. With that being said and in no particular order, here are 10 of the most anticipated whiskeys of 2023. 

Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 

When Garrison Brothers first launched their uncut and unfiltered bourbon in 2013, only 600 bottles were released. After a brief hiatus, Cowboy Bourbon became an annual fan-favorite containing the best and rarest whiskey produced at the Texas distillery. 

Every release is blended from the best available barrels from the head distiller’s private stock. 

Cowboy Bourbon is bottled around 135 proof—no added water is necessary, but you do you!

Last year’s version was a blend of 8 and 9-year-old barrels. You can be sure the 2023 version will hit the distillery’s typical notes of cinnamon, dark cacao chocolate, molasses, and Dr. Pepper. There will be less than 10,000 bottles released in the fall. Book it in your calendar to avoid missing out!

Wild Turkey Generations 

If you drink bourbon, you’ve likely ridden the Wild Turkey 101 at some point in your journey. And “Tukery Bombs” may or may not have been downed during your college years (we don’t judge). You can relive those sweet moments in style with Wild Turkey Generations.

This limited edition release from the Lawrenceburg distillery drips out at only a few thousand bottles per year. The 2023 edition is a blend of carefully selected 9,12,14 and 15-year-old bourbons. 

The result is a bold and complex drinking experience covering honey, vanilla, and a range of baking spices. Wild Turkey Generations is non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel-proof. It’s already sold out in most places so you will need to find it from resellers.

Blood Oath Pact No. 9

The Blood Oath name represents the very rarest from Lux Row Distillers. Each “Pact” is a moment captured in time—whiskey never to be seen again. The undertaking of one man, each whisky is constructed from sourcing unknown whiskeys—the identities will be taken to the grave!

Blood Oath Pact No. 9 is a blend of three whiskies. The first two are an “oaky” 16-year-old and a “luscious” 12-year-old whisky adding brown sugar, leather, vanilla, and anise notes. For a moreish balance, a third and final whiskey was added. This keystone of the blend was finished in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks adding dark fruit and molasses. 

Keep an eye out for Blood Oath in 2023. You won’t be disappointed. 

High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram

Few distilleries have elevated modern rye whiskey like that of Utah’s first distillery since the 1870s. Combining the new with the old, High West has built a reputation for beautiful rye that will make you cry (tears of joy or tears or tears of regret for not buying enough bottles). 

High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram is based on the distillery’s flagship Rendezvous Rye. What levels up this already excellent whiskey is time spent in French Oak and ex-Port Cask. The end result is a rich and luxurious rye full of fortified-wine notes. 

Shakespeare was a lover of puns. If he were alive today, we are sure he would love A Midwinter Night’s Dram as much as we do.  Find out for yourself when A Midwinter Night’s Dram hits shelves sometime towards the end of the year. 

Old Forester Birthday 2023

Released in honor of its founder George Garvin Brown, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is a limited pour few get to try. Each annual release is built on a blend of whiskies aged at least 12 years in oak. The master distiller picks out the best from a lineup of small-batch bourbons.

The end result is panic and disappointment as whisky enthusiasts fight over who gets a bottle. While there are subtle differences with each release, you can expect a complex amber dram full of dark fruit, baking spices, and the slightest hint of smoke. 

From the stunning bottle to the priceless liquid, this rarity is a must-have for bourbon enthusiasts.

Michter's 10 Year Bourbon 

The next one on this list is extra special. That’s because Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon hasn’t been released since 2021. After more than a gap year, we expect finding this whiskey to be mission impossible for most people (but you’re more determined than most people).

The 2023 release of this premium small-batch bourbon is a blend of whiskey matured in hand-selected barrels by both Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson and Master Distiller Dan McKee. 

Every drop bestowed upon us from MIchter’s is liquid gold and 10 Year is their modus operandi. If you find this whiskey in the wild, get out your plastic and don’t look back. 

Bruichladdich Black Art & Octomore

Bruichladdich has evolved its reputation from “non-peaty” and “fake-islay” to releasing some of the most coveted single malt scotches yearly. One of these highly-limited brands is aptly named Bruichladdich Black Art. 

We think the denoted color (or lack thereof) refers to the shroud of secrecy for each Black Art release. Outside of the few involved, no one else at the distillery understands the alchemy behind each whisky.

The second release is the much-beloved Octamore. Several unique versions of the “super-heavily peated” whisky escape the distillery in tiny numbers each year. Each one is bottled at eye-watering cask strengths with legendary levels of peat.

If you can grab a year’s worth of Octamore and catch the Black Art then you’ve already won.

Ardbeg 2023 Committee Release Heavy Vapours

Ardbeg Day is unlike anything else. Held on the last Saturday of May, Ardbeg lovers everywhere celebrate by attending local events or attempting to procure some rare Islay whisky. The main celebrations take place at the distillery and include tours, live events, and special tastings. 

For the 2023 edition, the distillers have removed the purifier connected to Ardbeg still. The 2023 Ardbeg Day release, Heavy Vapours, is described by the distillery as “the most full-blown Ardbeg ever” with “pungeant earthiness, dark chocolate, and sharp peppermint.”

Heavy Vapours will be non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV and 50.2% ABV. The latter of which will be the hard-to-get Committee Release that can only be bought directly at the distillery.

Macallan Folio 7

Everyone needs single malt scotch goals. Some of us need to start a bit lower than others. You may not be able to attain The Macallan 50-Year-Old in Lalique or The Reach just yet. However, you can still make your friends jealous by getting your paws on the next iteration of The Macallan Archival Series. 

The series was launched in 2017 to mark the opening of The Macallan’s new distillery. Each Folio release comes with bespoke packaging that appears to be a hardback book. It will fit perfectly in any collection—the liquid in the bottle isn't’ half-bad either!

The master distiller uses a combination of different ages and wood finishes to put out something stunning and complex every time. 

Keep your eyes peeled for The Macallan Folio 7 to release sometime later this year. 

Suntory World Whisky Ao

The Japanese word Ao translates as “blue.” Multinational brewing and distilling giant Suntory was inspired by this color when they came up with the concept of World Whisky Ao. Drawing inspiration from the great blue that covers the earth, they wanted to create blended whisky that stood for the unlimited potential of the planet. 

A novel idea, the distillery crafted a blend that includes whiskies from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and Japan. Each component adds its personality to the final product. The result is a complex, stupidly-drinkable blend that makes that other “blue” stuff seem like the light version. 

While previously only available in Japan, Ao is set to be available in the US and Canada this year. Get it before it’s gone!