Bringing you what’s new and noteworthy each month. Designed for bartenders and connoisseurs, we choose our favorite bottles, barware and bold ideas stirring up the scene.
Below are ten standout spirits worth sipping, sharing and showing off.
CASA J Tequila Blanco Ensemble
SRP $129 / 750mL
Photo by Josh Dickinson
CASA J Tequila Blanco Ensemble makes its debut this January as a luxury sipping tequila rooted in heritage and craftsmanship. Founded by Sofía Paloma Juárez, CASA J honors ancestral tequila-making traditions, including stone tahona crushing, earthen pit roasting, copper pot distillation, and stainless steel fermentation. Crafted in Amatitán, Jalisco, the additive-free blanco reflects a reverence for tradition with a modern point of view.
Bright notes of fresh citrus and green apple lead into caramelized agave, rosemary, and subtle pineapple. Designed to be enjoyed neat yet equally compelling in elevated cocktails, CASA J (42% ABV / 84 proof) enters the market as a thoughtful, contemporary take on luxury tequila. The brand is proudly female-, Mexican-American–, and LGBTQ+-owned.
Atheras Spirits
SRP $45.00-$79.00
Atheras Spirits is a collection of six Amari and liqueurs that push boundaries of the immersive cocktail experience. Crafted at micro-distillery within Bitter Monk cocktail bar in Industry City, Brooklyn, Atheras Spirits was founded by creative visionary and veteran bartender Ektoras Binikos and partner, designer and photographer Simon Jutras.
They offer a range of carefully sourced, extraordinary elixirs that elevate the senses and evoke emotion. The small batched, higher ABV (38%) low sugar content highlights the complexity and unique character of the botanicals.
Lock Stock & Barrel 25-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey
SRP $999.99 / 750mL
Lock Stock & Barrel 25-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey debuts this January as the oldest rye whiskey currently available on the market. Released by Cooper Spirits Co., the ultra-rare expression completes the brand’s acclaimed portfolio of high-aged ryes, each a recipient of Double Gold honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Distilled in 1999, the whiskey was drawn from a rare selection of “honey barrels” personally chosen by the late Rob Cooper at Alberta Distillers’ rickhouses.
Bottled at 111 proof, the rye opens with warm spice, toffee, and caramelized banana before unfolding into treacle, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, black tea, and dried cherry. An exceptionally long finish reveals oak, subtle smoke, and classic rye spice. Limited to just 250 bottles worldwide, the 25-Year-Old offers collectors a singular opportunity to experience a rye shaped by decades of patient aging.
Loca Loka Añejo Tequila
SRP $69.99 / 750mL
Loca Loka Añejo Tequila debuts this January as the brand’s first añejo expression, blending traditional Mexican tequila-making with Indian cultural influence. Crafted from 100% blue Weber agave grown in Jalisco, the additive-free tequila is aged for one year in a combination of French and American oak barrels and bottled at 40% ABV.
Aromas of cooked agave, vanilla, caramel, and subtle coffee lead into a palate layered with warm vanilla, dried fruit, and gentle nutty depth. The finish is long, smooth, and velvety, accented by soft spice. Founded as a collaboration between actor Rana Daggubati, composer Anirudh Ravichander, and entrepreneur Harsha Vadlamudi, Loca Loka continues to build a global identity rooted in storytelling, flavor, and cross-cultural connection.
Wilderness Trail 10-Year Wheated Bourbon
SRP $200 / 750mL
Wilderness Trail 10-Year Wheated Bourbon debuts this January as a rare, limited-edition small-batch release commemorating the 250th anniversary of the historic Wilderness Road. Only the distillery’s second publicly released 10-year-old bourbon, the expression was crafted from three hand-selected barrels and features a distinctive mash bill of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley.
After a full decade of maturation, the bourbon showcases rich oak character balanced by vivid natural sweetness and a notably soft, wheat-forward profile.
“We aimed for this release to reflect the same balance, character, and sense of discovery inherent in the Wilderness Road itself,” says Dr. Pat Heist, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer.
Offered in extremely limited quantities, the 10-Year Wheated Bourbon stands out as a compelling pick for collectors and longtime Wilderness Trail fans alike.
Barrell Craft Spirits® Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026
SRP $85 / 750mL
Barrell Bourbon New Year 2026 arrives this January as the brand’s annual limited-edition release celebrating fresh beginnings through expert blending. Crafted by Barrell Craft Spirits, the small-batch bourbon brings together straight bourbons aged 5 to 16 years from distilleries across seven states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Maryland, New York, and Ohio.
Bottled at cask strength (110.3 proof / 55.15% ABV), the 2026 edition delivers vivid aromatics of ripe stone fruit and cherry, followed by layers of citrus peel, baking spice, roasted nut character, and a pumpkin pie finish. Known for its ability to harmonize mature stocks through precise blending, Barrell once again showcases its signature approach in a release designed for collectors and bourbon fans alike.
Highpour THC Seltzer & Margarita
SRP from $4.99 / 12 oz. can
Highpour expands its lineup this January with Highpour Seltzer and Highpour Margarita, two new zero-proof, hemp-derived THC canned beverages designed for alcohol-free social drinking. The release builds on the brand’s flagship 750 mL bottle and is available online and at select retailers.
The six-SKU lineup is sold in four-packs. Highpour Seltzer (Blueberry Lemon, Orange Vanilla, Ranch Water) delivers a low-dose 2.5 mg THC with just 15 calories per can, while Highpour Margaritas (Grapefruit, Classic, Pineapple) offer a bolder 10 mg THC option at 25 calories per can.
Crafted with micronized hemp-derived THC and an agave base, the drinks contain no CBD or unnecessary additives and are intended for adults 21+.
Cathead Distillery Tintype #3 ‘Kenny Brown’
SRP TBD / 750mL
Cathead Distillery expands its blues-inspired Tintype Series with Tintype #3 ‘Kenny Brown,’ a limited-edition Old Soul Bourbon honoring the Hill Country blues icon. The release introduces a new mash bill (60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley) and is aged 11 years, bottled uncut and unfiltered at 103.5 proof. Shaped by Mississippi’s heat and humidity, the bourbon delivers notes of banana nut bread, toasted pecans, and warm baking spice.
Executive Beverage Company Boutique Wine Water®
SRP varies by format
Executive Beverage Company debuts Boutique Wine Water® this January, introducing a wine-forward option designed for lighter, more active drinking occasions. Made with real wine and sparkling water, each variety is zero sugar, 4.9% ABV, and free from artificial ingredients, while remaining certified non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and low-carb.
Available in slim 250 mL cans and classic 750 mL bottles, Boutique Wine Water® launches in Dry Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon—offering a modern take on wine built for both on-the-go moments and at-home hosting.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 11-Year Old VVS 2025
SRP $169.99 / 750mL
Old Fitzgerald releases Bottled-in-Bond 11-Year-Old VVS 2025, the fourth installment in the brand’s ultra-limited VVS (Very Very Special) line within the Decanter Series. Aged 11 years and bottled at 100 proof, the wheated bourbon is crafted from barrels specially selected by Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll for exceptional depth and character.
Produced in highly limited quantities and identified by its maroon label, the VVS 2025 follows the award-winning VVS 2024 and is available exclusively at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience and select Kentucky retailers.
Chilled’s Top Ten Drops
Chilled’s Top Ten Drops is a monthly editorial series highlighting the most exciting new releases in the world of spirits and mixology. Designed for bartenders, brand partners, and enthusiasts alike, the series celebrates craftsmanship, innovation, and the art of today’s cocktail experience.
The post Chilled’s Top 10 Drops for January 2026 appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
