The frenzy of holiday whiskey purchasing reaches a fever pitch this month, as people buy bottles for parties and presents and—let’s be real here— themselves. If you're looking for gift recommendations, let us direct you here for whiskey, and here for wine. 

But if you're focused on trying something new, keep reading. There are scotches (peated and not), bourbons and ryes and American single malt, and an enhanced offering from Canada's bestselling whisky that might just offer a glimmer of hope for that beleaguered category.

New Whiskies for December

Glenmorangie 12-Year-Old Original ($50)

This updated version of Glenmorangie's core offering was announced back in July and is just arriving on U.S. shores. It officially bumps up the age statement from 10 to 12 years old—which seems like good news but actually indicates worrying times for scotch. Nevertheless, for we, the drinkers, it's great: more maturity on a whisky that was already pretty darn good, with a price bump of just a few dollars.

Stoll & Wolfe 4-Year-Old Rosen Rye ($120)

Watching grain grow is the opposite of exciting, unless you're a big ole whiskey nerd who gets excited about tasting the flavors of the past. Flavors that come from once-lost varieties of grain, like Rosen rye. Last cultivated in the mid-20th century, Rosen rye was revived almost a decade ago and eventually made into whiskey, with 60 percent rye content, by Stoll & Wolfe. Now it's 4 years old, officially ready for primetime—though still in pretty small amounts, so snag it while you can.

Minden Mill Bourbon, Rye & American Single Malt ($45-$60)

While many wineries grow their own grapes, it's much less common for distilleries to use only estate grain. Minden Mill (formerly Bently Heritage Estate) is one of the few whiskey makers in America to carry out the entire process in house, growing all its corn, rye, barley, wheat, and—unusually—oats. The whiskies are all aged at least four years, and bottled at 47 percent ABV without chill filtration. I have high expectations.

Compass Box Secrets of Smoke ($165)

Compass Box's well-known The Peat Monster, finished in Spanish red wine casks, makes up about a third of this limited-edition blended malt, with another third coming from Palo Cortado-finished Caol Ila, and a fifth from sherry-finished Ardmore. The remaining 10 percent is a combination of Laphroaig, Bowmore, and an anonymous blended malt, with some Marsala finishing involved. In sum, it's a peat bomb that's enriched with wine casks, aiming to showcase sweetness amid the smoke, and it should be splendid.

Crown Royal 12-Year-Old Reserve ($50)

Like the Glenmo above, this too is an upgraded version of an existing product: in this case, Crown Royal Special Reserve. With the bumped-up age supposedly comes bolder, richer flavor—although the proof remains at 40 percent ABV, which casts doubt on that claim. Still, any age statement on a Canadian whisky is a positive sign for drinkers thirsty for more serious offerings from the Great White North.

Bourbon de Luxe ($65)

A historic brand that has now been revived by the founders of Rolling Fork Rum, with a label that replicates the calligraphy and aristocratic insignia of the original. Created in 1913, Bourbon de Luxe was popular up until and through Prohibition, when it was bottled as a medicinal whiskey. It continued to be produced in the 20th century but disappeared in the early 2000s. This new iteration is an 8-year-old Kentucky bourbon, bottled at barrel proof (59.5 percent ABV)—a nice step up from the 80-proof original.

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