There’s never a bad time to sample new whiskeys, but there is a best time. And that’s during the holidays, when new bottles abound and visiting relatives have just found your last nerve. Tons of whiskeys have been released over the past few months, so rather than running through them all, these are six end-of-year bottles featuring seasonal sensibilities that are perfect for the holidays. Bring one to your next festive gathering, or be your own not-so-secret Santa and pick up a bottle for yourself.
Glenmorangie A Tale of Spices
Glenmorangie’s “A Tale Of” series has given us releases like A Tale of Ice Cream and A Tale of Forest. The sixth and newest edition is A Tale of Spices, meant to capture the flavors and colors of a vibrant spice market. For the first time ever, Glenmorangie finished its bourbon-aged whisky in four different casks: Moroccan red wine casks (also a first), new charred oak casks, toasted red wine casks, and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. All in, it’s sweet, spicy and complex, with notes of cumin, saffron, nutmeg, ginger, chili and florals.
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026
Some people consult the calendar to mark another year approaching. We just look for Barrell Bourbon’s annual New Year release. Right on cue, New Year 2026 is here, and once again, Barrell has created a blend of bourbons sourced from across the U.S. The bourbons cover a range of ages and mash bills— seven in total, all from different states—and bottled the result at cask strength. Expect notes of stone fruits, green herbs, pumpkin and molasses. If you can show some restraint, save yourself a pour for December 31 when the clock strikes midnight.
Compass Box Brûlée Royale
Compass Box Brûlée Royale is a blended malt Scotch that features whiskies from Benrinnes, Clynelish and Speyburn, plus just a touch of Arbeg in there for good measure. It channels crème brûlée and pays homage to French chef François Massialot, who worked at the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century and, supposedly, created the iconic dish. Compass Box nailed the profile, as the whisky opens up to flavors of custard, cream and burnt sugar, along with a fun note of cooked peaches that adds a roundness to the otherwise confection-forward Scotch. Pull this out after dinner with your dessert—or serve this as the dessert.
Still Austin 2025 Tanager Cigar Blend
The 2024 Tanager Cigar Blend was one of the best whiskeys we tasted last year. Still Austin is back at it again with the just-released 2025 edition. It features a combination of red, white and blue corn bourbon, plus a mixture of low-proof rye and Texas water that’s aged for a year before it’s added to the base whiskey for final proofing. This method is known as petites eaux (small waters) and usually reserved for Cognac and Armagnac production, and it’s used here to create a rich, complex flavor profile.
High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13
Dan Campbell/High West Distillery
Since it debuted in 2013, High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram has become a coveted annual release. Now in its 13th year, the whiskey begins as the brand’s flagship Rendezvous Rye—a blend of straight rye whiskeys aged from four to 10 years—and is finished in ruby port and tawny port barrels. We got a taste and found lots of red and black fruits, cinnamon, ginger and cocoa, plus some oak and fruit-skin tannins. It’s sweet and spicy, and a good option for sipping fireside all winter long.
Woodford Reserve 2025 Holiday Bottle
Each year, Woodford Reserve releases a limited-edition Holiday Bottle—it’s the same juice as usual, just with different packaging. The 2025 edition features label artwork from fashion designer Alexandra O’Neill, who founded the luxury brand Markarian. It’s meant to look like a wrapped gift and features a garland of winter berries and stars on a sage green background. That’s convenient if you’re not so good at gift-wrapping.