TROPHY WHISKEYS

Bourbon leads the way among this season's prized American spirits

- SEAN EVANS

For Bourbon lovers, Christmas actually comes in the fall, when the limited editions and most coveted annual releases trickle into stores. Desired rare bottle Pappy Van Winkle is a name recognized by even casual sippers these days, while connoisseurs also get excited over the likes of equally scant Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Jack Daniel's Coy Hill.

The quantity of each release is quite limited because they usually rely on longer-aged whiskey, which is also rigorously curated. But, fortunately, the number of special and limited releases continues to grow, as distillers introduce a greater variety of luxury offerings. You just need to know what you're looking for.

These bottles command high prices not due only to manufactured scarcity-the contents are something special. "This year's Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch may be favorite in a while," says my Brent Elliott, master distiller at Four Roses. "We have 10 [Bourbon] recipes and this offering showcases four of them in a unique way," he adds.

This year’s blend features two different variations of 14-year-olds, one 15-year-old and a 20-year-old, all exquisite individual selections—affectionately dubbed “honey barrels” by distillers—that come together to make an exceptional whiskey. “The goal is something mellow, complex and layered,” Elliott shares. “And different from years past to demonstrate our versatility.”