If you pay any attention to whiskey, the barrage of new releases can feel overwhelming. It seems like every day there’s a new bottle hitting shelves—because that’s not an exaggeration, that’s what’s happening. Sifting through the noise to figure out which ones are worth pursuing can be arduous.

So I’m doing it for you.

Each month, in NWR, I’ll offer a handful of recommendations for new whiskies I think are worth buying, or at least knowing about. The criteria are entirely personal; these may be bottles with noteworthy characteristics, or maybe they’re from producers I like and trust to release good stuff, or perhaps they’re just incredible deals. Or all of the above!

Without further ado, my picks for July 2024.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass: Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and Rye ($100)

Several craft distillers set themselves apart by partnering with farms to grow their grains, a choice that allows them to opt out of the commodity system and pick ingredients based on factors like flavor. Until now, few large-scale distilleries have done the same.

But a new line of bourbon and rye from Heaven Hill emulates this craft model by incorporating corn selected and grown specifically for the purpose of distillation. Setting the whiskies apart even further, each one features a new mashbill for the distillery.

The debut releases include a 53.5 percent ABV bourbon made with 52 percent corn, 35 percent rye, and 13 percent malted barley and its counterpart, a 60.5 percent ABV bourbon with 35 percent wheat as its secondary grain, plus a barrel-proof rye (61.6 percent ABV) that’s 63 percent rye, 24 percent corn, and 13 percent malted barley. They’re all aged for six years, and bottled without chill-filtration.

The whiskies are available nationwide, with periodic allocations throughout the year. And Heaven Hill is likely to add to the variety in the future. Although they have potential to be collectible, my guess is that, like most Heaven Hill whiskies, they’re better suited to being opened and enjoyed.

Shenk’s Homestead Whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon ($110-$120)

Call them Michter’s second label if you want. Bottled as the Legacy Series, Shenk’s Homestead whiskey and Bomberger’s Declaration bourbon have flown under the radar for years, but they have every bit the quality and flavor of the main Michter’s lineup. And in this editor’s opinion, they’re ripe for collecting too.

Each release is a little different, so they’re vintage-dated. Last year, Shenk’s (45.6 percent ABV) featured malted rye in its mashbill. The grain makes a return for 2024 and is also featured in the current batch of Bomberger’s (54 percent ABV). In addition, this year’s Shenk’s includes some caramel malt, an unusual ingredient for American whiskey that adds to its body and sweetness.

Quantities are limited but both whiskies should be findable, if not always at the recommended price of $110 for Shenk's and $120 for Bomberger's. They’re rolling out now nationwide—snag one if you see it.

Old Potrero 6-Year-Old Toasted Rye ($65)

Most of today’s drinkers have forgotten, or never known, that the first craft whiskey in America was made at Anchor Steam Brewery in San Francisco. And it was a rye! A malted rye!

For decades, Anchor’s tiny still faithfully churned out small batches of Old Potrero, and for almost as long, the whiskey remained virtually unknown outside of enthusiast circles. But then the rye revival happened; Anchor split its spirits and beer businesses; and Old Potrero finally started getting some of the attention it deserves.

It’s still underappreciated though, at least in part because for a long time, its products were hard to understand. Malted rye? Matured in toasted barrels? These are unusual even in today’s climate of elevated spirits knowledge.

Perhaps that’s why Old Potrero is now making the story of its core whiskies clearer. What was once called 18th Century Style Rye is now Old Potrero Toasted Barrel. Technically a “whiskey made from a rye malt mash,” it’s not a true rye because the barrels are only toasted, not charred. Whatever you call it, this is a historic whiskey, now aged six years, and bottled at a robust 51.2 percent ABV—and, at this price, well worth seeking out.

Jim Beam Black ($25)

Hear me out! You may turn your nose up all you like at Jim Beam, but the Black label bourbon is hella good. (Do we still say hella?) It’s also hella cheap—just $25—and has just been relaunched with 7-year-old liquid. So it’s also a hella great deal!

There’s not much more to say except that this is one of my go-to house whiskies, something I can use to make cocktails and happily pour in a rocks glass for myself and my guests and feel no regret about finishing a bottle. I mean, it’s $25! If I run out, I’ll just go buy another.