The autumnal equinox has passed, which means new whiskey is well and truly in season. There will be dozens of bottles hitting shelves this month—but only some that will be worth your attention. Below are bourbon, scotch, and Irish whiskies that I’m looking forward to trying.

What’s not on this list but still notable: a couple of new age statements from two of the best-selling American whiskey brands. Basil Hayden has announced that its 10-year-old bourbon ($85), once a limited edition, is now a permanent part of the range, and Bulleit is rolling out a 10-year-old rye ($50) as part of its core lineup. If these two market leaders have enough decade-old liquid to support consistent and widely available offerings, it’s a sure signal that extra-mature American whiskey has reached healthy supply levels. And that should presage future releases from other producers—ideally at reasonable prices.

For now, here are eight new whiskies worth checking out.

Clonakilty Single Pot Still ($50)

Ireland’s whiskey renaissance has led to a flourishing of single pot still whiskey, a style that was once almost extinct. Clonakilty has the newest offering, a 46 percent ABV whiskey distilled from its own barley grown in County Cork. It was matured in three cask types—bourbon, oloroso, and amontillado—in a warehouse perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. A lot of coastal distilleries make noise about maritime influence on their whiskey, but Clonakilty has some of the most solid evidence to back that claim.

Compass Box Nectarosity ($65) and Crimson Casks ($75)

Everyone’s favorite boutique scotch blender has rejiggered its core offerings, discontinuing Oak Cross a few years ago and, just this past summer, ditching The Story of the Spaniard and Spice Tree. Now the lineup includes The Peat Monster and Orchard House, and everyday favorite Artist Blend, plus these two new whiskies.

Inspired by “high-end patisserie,” Nectarosity (46 percent ABV) is a blend of grain whisky from Girvan and Cameronbridge and single malts from Clynelish, Linkwood, and Balmenach. Its maturation features a dizzying program of refill custom American oak casks, along with bourbon and palo cortado.

Crimson Casks (46 percent), meanwhile, is a blended malt with a deep sherry focus. It includes whiskies from Glen Moray, Benrinnes, and Teaninich, as well as “a distillery near the town of Aberlour” and a Highland blended malt, nearly all matured in first-fill oloroso sherry-seasoned butts.

In a surprise move, Compass Box founder John Glaser stepped down as head whiskymaker a few months ago, ceding the role to longtime whiskymaker James Saxon. While Saxon’s presence lends credibility and confidence to the company’s future, the loss of two longstanding whiskies and advent of two new offerings at once is, in a word, eyebrow-raising. I’m keeping a close eye on Compass Box.

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Edition ($50)

On September 10, 1954, Jimmy Russell started sweeping floors at the distillery now called Wild Turkey. Seventy years later, Russell is the longest-serving master whiskey distiller in the world—a legend, and a beloved patriarch of Kentucky bourbon. This bourbon celebrates the milestone anniversary. It just so happens to be the age—8 years old—and proof—101—that Jimmy most prefers. As collectible as this bottle might seem, I sure hope everyone who buys one opens it. Jimmy would want them to.

Redbreast 18-Year-Old ($249)

The price is a bit painful, especially since I remember a time when I could find Redbreast 21 for somewhere around $150. But this release (46 percent ABV) is still noteworthy because Redbreast consistently ranks as the best single pot still whiskey at any age. And this is the first offering created by master blender Dave McCabe, alongside master blender emeritus Billy Leighton: the passing of a torch. If you don’t mind spending big, you’ll be in for a really delicious whiskey.

Angel’s Envy Triple Oak ($75)

The OG of cask-finished American whiskey moves away from using wine and spirits barrels for this offering, part of the permanent lineup. Instead, the 46 percent Triple Oak combines bourbons finished in toasted barrels made from three types of oak: Hungarian, French, and chinkapin. It’s the first major new release under master distiller Owen Martin, who took over in 2022 after leading the team at Stranahan’s for several years.

Nearest Green ($30)

Up to this point, most of the whiskies from Uncle Nearest have been on the higher end—not super spendy, other than some single barrels, but not budget bottles either. That changes with this release, a 42 percent ABV Tennessee whiskey that’s intended for cocktails, and priced for them too. Just like Green River, whose $22 bourbon dropped back in August, Uncle Nearest is now upping the ante on standard well whiskey.

Blame Canada! 22-Year-Old Rye ($200)

We’ve wondered recently if Canadian whisky will ever be cool. While the jury is still out, a couple of independent bottlers are certainly making a strong case, including Proof & Wood. Their latest: a 22-year-old 91 percent rye made at Lethbridge Distillery in Alberta and matured in used barrels, which is why it doesn’t taste like splinters at such an advanced age. Blame Canada!—well played, Lethbridge— is bottled as a single barrel at cask strength, between 58.5 percent and 59.5 percent ABV. But what, exactly, are we blaming Canada for? “Mostly things we do ourselves that we won't admit to,” says Proof & Wood founder Dave Schmier. “Or making delicious, irresistible whiskey.”