What’s happening in wine and whiskey this week:

This Week’s Unicorn Review Stories

🍷 Sylvester “Sly” Inda’s journey has taken him from Kenya to New York City, where he has flourished in the wine world. After stints at Keens Steakhouse and Gramercy Tavern, he’s now the wine director at Ci Siamo, Danny Meyer’s Italian outpost. Vicki Denig spoke to him to find out more about his story and got some bottle recs.

🥃 Booker’s is one of the best known barrel-proof bourbons, but there are many other bottles to consider. Susannah Skiver Barton wrote about why Booker’s is so important to this category, and recommended five other bottles to try now.

New Bottle Releases

Shelby Co. Whiskey ($45)

This is the official bourbon of the Netflix show Peaky Blinders, which might seem odd considering that show takes place in Birmingham, England. Still, the connection, such as it is, is that this is a Kentucky straight bourbon finished with Irish whiskey barrel staves (an homage to the show's Shelby family’s Irish roots). It was distilled at Green River, which is part of Lofted Spirits along with Bardstown Bourbon Company, and bottled at 90 proof.

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Rye ($80)

Frey Ranch is a farm-to-bottle craft distillery in Nevada that is making some excellent bourbon, rye, and other types of whiskey. This new release is a six-year-old, cask-strength rye whiskey made from 100 percent Canadian winter rye grown onsite at the ranch and bottled at 124.52 proof. It arrives on April 17 at the distillery’s tasting room and via the website.

Unicorn Whiskey Pick of the Week

The Dalmore Select Editions Collection - 2007 and 2010 ($550, $250)

The Dalmore is a Highland distillery that lives comfortably in the “luxury scotch” world, although of course there are some more affordable options to try as well. But those upper-tier whiskies are where this distillery really shines, a series limited-edition single malts that have spent many decades aging in various cask types, including an array of sherry butts and port pipes. The latest release sits in the more obtainable range of luxe whisky, however—a pair of vintage releases that are aged for 15 and 18 years, both of which are quite good.

These whiskies are part of the Dalmore’s Select Editions Collection, one-time releases that are bottled with natural color and no chill filtration, two notable features that separate them from other Dalmore whiskies. According to the brand, these are selected by the whisky makers from specific casks during a week in November, an annual event that yields some very special and particular whiskies.

The first whisky is a 2007 vintage aged for 18 years and bottled at 93.4 proof. It was aged in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in both Apóstoles and Amoroso sherry casks (the exact length of finish was not disclosed). This is classic Dalmore but with some extra heft. There are big notes of raisin, juicy grapes, toasted almonds, vanilla custard, caramel, and some cinnamon and black pepper on the palate. The second whisky is a 2010 vintage aged for 15 years and bottled at a higher 98.2 proof. This was also initially aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in Matusalem and Amoroso sherry casks. This was my favorite of the two—the higher proof and younger age statement just make it sing. Look for notes of cacao, roasted espresso beans, candied ginger, lemon cake, and dried figs.

The 2007 is priced at $550 and the 2010 at $250, so these are expensive but not unaffordable bottles. If your tax return just came through and you’re looking for some money to blow on really tasty single malts, consider giving either one of these a try—you won’t be disappointed.