01.09.26

BARREL DROPS

It’s been a minute! We hope you’ve all had a relaxing and happy holiday season. For those of you not partaking in Dry January, we’ve got some bangers finally to be released. There will be no preorders on these as we finally got some full barrels instead of shorties. There’s something for everyone on this lineup of releases, but nothing super sweet and smoof, that is coming later this year. Click on the links below to see the bottle info pages, or swing by the shop to chat with us about these bangers.

THE NEW SCHOOL | BN.25.010
First Bardstown Bourbon Company bourbon in the state! See the bottle page HERE.

THE D.Y.P.B. | BN.26.001
Second installment of our shots at Sazerac series. See the bottle page HERE.

FDI 30TH ANNIVERSARY MAKER’S
An end to a era, marking the final Maker’s FDI select. See the bottle page HERE.

TASTINGS

As we prepare to publish our Heaven Hill and Glen Grant tastings, we want you to save the date! Below are the following dates for our upcoming tastings:

• 03/09/2026 @ 6:30PM | Heaven Hill Masterclass, with Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll

• 03/30/2026 @ 6:30PM | Glen Grant Masterclass, with Private Client Manager Marlon Tulaszewski

• 03/30/2026 @ 6:30PM | Glen Grant 65 Year Dinner, with Private Client Manager Marlon Tulaszewski

BARREL PICK UPDATE

Updated list in no official order of release:

RITTENHOUSE
THE YIN
RITTENHOUSE
THE YANG
WILDERNESS TRAIL
THE SWEET WHEAT
WILDERNESS TRAIL
THE BARELY LEGAL
RUSSELL’S RESERVE
THE RESERVES BATCH 1
RUSSELL’S RESERVE
THE RESERVES BATCH 2
J.MATTINGLY
FDI 30TH ANNIVERSARY #09
ELIJAH CRAIG
THE GENERATIONS #01
LARCENY
THE FULL PROOF
BLUE RUN
THE SYMPHONY BLEND
RARE CHARACTER
2025 FIORI DINNER PICK
RARE CHARACTER
THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
RARE CHARACTER
THE OLD LIGHT
RARE CHARACTER
AWGF LIGHT WHISKEY
ELIJAH CRAIG TOASTED
THE GENERATIONS #02
J.MATTINGLY
AWGF HAZMAT #10

TOP 15 OF 2025

It’s that time again! Note: This is a list compiled by Ylli and Long, so you’re going to see a trend here. We have left our barrel picks off the table to cancel out any biases, though we will freely admit we think we absolutely crushed it with a few of those this year ;) Without further ado, here’s our Top 15 whiskies of 2025:

#1 Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 | 44.20% ABV

What more is there to say? #1 is always #1 for a reason, and this year, we find it fitting that the last expression of Black Art takes the crown. Truth be told, is it better than the last two expressions of 10.1 and 9.1? No. But what it is, is reminding us why we love Scotch whisky so much. Started by Jim McEwan and handed off to Adam Hannet, the enigmatic nature of Black Art has always shown in the glass, ever changing as you sip on it, highlighting the epitome of nuisance and complexity in the glass. Love it.

#2 Glendronach Ode to the Dark | 50.80% ABV

Ms. Rachael (Barrie), you’ve done it. This is mentioned to be a Limited Release, however we really think that with the demand and raving reviews, it may potentially end up being a core product. This is the first mass production expression (not a single barrel) to be fully matured in Pedro Ximenez sherry. As many of you know, we proudly identify as sherrybois at Allocated. And while PX can be a particular thing, the finish on this expression is absolutely lights out. We’re sadly sold out at the moment (of course), but we expect it back sometime in January. If you’re the type who loves a long, lingering finish, this one’s for you.

#3 Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Special Release #4 | 55.50% ABV

Wow. Guess what?! Our first American in the Top 3, and well deserved. A blend of 8 and 17 year old bourbons as the base then finished in Calvados casks for 4 months. The base juice is already phenomenal, but then you finish the damn thing in one of our favorite casks? Yeah, you got it. Talk about a bourbon like no other. If you see the trend, we like non-vanilla (basic) profiles in our whiskies, and this one really threw us for a loop. Ylli describes this as the most complex roller coaster bourbon he has had all year. The apple-forward Calvados influence amplifies everything you love about well-aged bourbon, making this a dram you’ll want to linger over. Hats off to Nancy Fraley on this one.

#4 Glen Scotia Double Cask | 46.00% ABV

Can’t beat it for the price. Recall last year’s list where we had Maclean’s Nose as one of our best bang-for-the-buck bottles ever- well hello Glen Scotia! Glen Scotia is one of the single malts that is blended into Maclean’s and my god, it’s been missing from our market for at least 3 years. We’re genuinely thrilled to have shown suppliers that scotch really does move in our state. Glen Scotia is Campbeltown to its core: think Springbank-adjacent character, without the price tag. We absolutely love the double cask (ex-bourbon and PX finished) because it still showcases the minerality in mid-palate and screams complexity that Campbeltown is so known for. For the price, it’s nearly impossible to beat.

#5 Glenglassaugh Sandend | 52.50% ABV

Salted tropical fruits. Sure, this was Whiskey Advocate’s #1 in 2023, but we actually have it in stock now since the hype has died down! We’d have to agree with the boys over at WA, this really is an insanely delicious dram. While Long likes to call this an epitome of what ex-bourbon casks bring to the yard, the light influence of Manzanilla casks adds just that extra dryness to the dram that makes it truly whole. A tropical, saline bomb for those who like a slightly higher ABV that still drinks easy.

#6 Bruichladdich Octomore 16.2 | 58.10% ABV

Yeah…we’re just a buncha basic bitches. Year-over-year and expression-over-expression, the .2’s from Octomore’s yearly lineup always take the cake. This year they outdid it with the 16.2, matured in Oloroso and Bordeaux casks before being finished in Madeira and Moscatel casks. This is the definition of sweet peat. We are always a sucker for the sweet peat profile and the bois at Bruichladdich knocked it out of the park with this one. A whisky that demands your time and attention—one of the very best peated Scotches out there, especially when finished in truly sexy casks.

#7 Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength #17 | 58.30% ABV

Guess who’s back, back again... Laphroaig 10 year cask strength has been missing from our market for nearly the last decade, how do we know? Long’s had an empty bottle at his house for at least 8 years. This is the Laphroaig of all Laphroaigs. Their 10 year Cask Strength expression makes the OG 10 look like a different class of whisky. It’s amazing that something so known for iodine-soaked bandaids can smell like crème brulee and taste like vanilla custard flavored hospital cleaner. My god is it good for those who can take the phenolic peat. Truly a masterclass from these guys.

#8 Kamiki Sakura Cask | 48.00% ABV

Japanese whisky, always a favorite. Japanese whisky, always a favorite. Surprising to list something that isn’t from the Suntory or Nikka House, but when it’s good, it’s good. This year came the release of Kamiki’s Sakura Cask, which really, really blew our minds. We’ve had Cherry Blossom wood casks in the past, but not like this. Maybe it’s the cedar cask influence, but this one is downright silky—cherry and vanilla leaping from the glass. That meticulous blending and obsessive attention to detail that put Japanese whisky on the map is on full display here.

#9 Glendronach Ode to the Embers | 48.40% ABV

Smoke and Sherry. Man, looking at this list, you’re going to assume we are just a buncha peat heads out here, but I’m sorry, you put smoke and sherry in the same bottle, it’s going to end up on this list. Knowing Macallan Rare Cask Black is one of our all time favorites, Dr. Rachael Barrie really knew what was missing in the market- a true sherry matured peated single malt. No one better to take on this task as this comes from their new Ode to- lineup, and the dense peat balancing the red fruits just makes for a dram you want as a nightcap every night.

#10 Bruichladdich 7 Year The Laddi Rye | 50.00% ABV

Total wildcard—in the best way. And to be clear: Bruichladdich isn’t paying us a dime. They just keep dropping phenomenal releases, and we keep getting caught cheering for them. We had no idea what to expect here—an Islay mashbill of 55% rye and 45% malted barley isn’t something you see every day. Somehow, the result is absurdly balanced: floral and fruity up front, then malty, spicy, and sweet in perfect stride. Playful and harmonious, it completely caught us off guard. Naturally, it sold out—but we just got word we’re snagging more from another state’s allocation. Keep an eye on our IG for the restock drop.

#11 Woodford Reserve Barrel Strength Rye | 62.55% ABV

Rye, rye, rye. Woodford’s first Barrel Proof Rye, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park. If we’re being honest, Old Forester Rye BP might’ve taken this spot—if we could actually get our hands on more than a bottle. For something you can realistically find, though, this one flat-out delivers. All the quintessential rye spices you want but with the cherry tobacco notes that you didn’t know you needed to have. Honestly, this bottle does not drink its proof and the finish really goes on for quite some time. One of the best barrel proof ryes released this year, no doubt.

#12 Arran Sauternes Cask | 50.00% ABV

Oldie but a goodie. While we usually reserve the list for items new to 2025 or new in the market for 2025, we make the rules around here so this is an exception. Many of you have entertained this bottle before, or have at least heard us talk about it, because time and time again, we just keep coming back. This is easily one of our best-selling single malts, and for good reason. Beautifully balanced notes of marzipan, melon, honeysuckle, apricot, peach, and a whisper of salinity makes it a standout—especially when you’re not chasing a full-on sherry bomb. It had to make the list.

#13 Calumet Farms 18 Year | 59.00% ABV

Old s**t. Old s**t. You really can’t mimic time in American whiskey. For those of you who love old Pappiz and Willett Purple tops, you’d be remiss to pass on getting a bottle of this. The heavy cherry (or what Long likes to call it- Robitussin) note, you can really only get from old bourbon. Small science class; lignin is a core component of oak, broken down- it’s a bunch of aldehydes, of which benzaldehyde is what really gives bourbon that cherry/nutty note. The more time the ethanol sites in the cask, the deeper it bleeds into the oak staves. That being said, you really get that note 6+ years, but the longer it gets the deeper tobacco-ey notes come out. This dram really does have it. However Long would argue the 17 year is better for the price. Love us some old bourbs.

#14 Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Rickhouse Proof | 60.70% ABV

Watch out, Kentucky—Missouri is coming for the crown. It feels like Ben Holladay just landed in Alaska yesterday, and they’ve been absolutely crushing it with their Soft Red Wheat expression. Luckily, the Rickhouse Proof, which used to be allocated (you all know how much we love that -_-) just now readily became more available. For a new player to hit this hard, credit where credit’s due. The Rickhouse Proof is only 6 years old, but it drinks far bigger than the stats suggest. The hype is everywhere—and in our shop, it’s earned. Hats off to Ben Holladay. Keep ’em coming.

#15 Green River Full Proof | 58.65% ABV

Bourbon at its best. Rounding out our Top 15 is Green River Full Proof. If you ask Chris what he thinks, be prepared for some very enthusiastic moans of approval. We’re stoked to finally have Bardstown and Green River in our great state—because if Green River does one thing right, it’s making damn good whiskey at damn good prices. We’ve always said bourbon is a blue-collar drink, meant to be opened and shared with friends, not babied on a shelf. Green River nails that ethos: quality, balance, and a price that still makes sense. Meanwhile, if you’d rather stand in line for the latest Sazerac “limited” drop and pretend it tastes better because it was harder to buy—be our guest. If you want a well-priced, no-drama, properly balanced bourbon, look no further.

Honorable Mention: Wild Turkey 8 Year 101 | 50.50% ABV

Best $50 banger. We couldn’t bump anything off the list for this one, but trust us—it’s not to be slept on. We find ourselves constantly reshaping perceptions of Wild Turkey, usually by pointing people toward Rare Breed and Russell’s Reserve. But this new permanent release? It hits hard. All the signature orange-forward oak you expect from Turkey, layered with rich sweet oak and a savory, silky texture on the palate. Seriously—do not sleep on WT.

That’s a wrap folks! Our Top 15 whiskies of the year—bottles that didn’t just taste great, but earned the spot pour after pour. The common thread across the list is simple: balance, character, a finish that keeps you coming back, and best of all, they’re readily available.

We also wanted this list to reflect how people actually drink: some are big “sit and think” whiskies, some are pure crowd-pleasers, and a few are the kind that overdeliver for the money. Thanks for riding with us this year, for trusting our palate, and for helping prove that great whisky moves here.

Slàinte.

~Written by Long L. & Ylli F.~