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As the holiday season approaches, WhistlePig has introduced a limited-edition rye whiskey: 12 Year Rye Single Finish Maple Crème Brûlée.

The whiskey is designed for seasonal sipping and entertaining, with flavors of maple, caramel and spice. WhistlePig says it contains no added ingredients or artificial sweeteners. Instead, the rye rests in barrels previously used to make the brand’s barrel-aged maple syrup, drawing its rich, caramelized character from the oak.

Chief Blender Meghan Ireland said the goal was to evoke crème brûlée through the barrel-aging process alone while keeping the rye at the forefront.

The release is available starting November 5, 2026, through WhistlePig’s website and at select bars, restaurants and retailers nationwide. It is priced at $124.99 per bottle.

Holiday whiskey cocktails can range from rich and warming to tart and spirit-forward. These 11 ideas pair familiar whiskey drinks with seasonal flavors, offering options for everything from a casual evening at home to a festive gathering.

Hot toddy

A hot toddy combines whiskey with hot water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and honey or another sweetener. Cinnamon, cloves, star anise, or a splash of allspice liqueur can add extra warmth. It’s a straightforward choice for guests coming in from the cold or for a cozy after-dinner drink.

Bourbon eggnog

Eggnog is a holiday staple that’s easy to spike with bourbon. For a quick version, stir a 2-ounce pour of bourbon into each 5-ounce serving of store-bought eggnog and finish with grated nutmeg. A little maple syrup adds another seasonal note.

For a homemade batch, whisk egg yolks and sugar with milk, cream, and spices, then heat until thickened. Bourbon can be mixed into the full batch or added to individual servings, making it easy to offer an alcohol-free option too.

Hot buttered whiskey

This rich winter drink starts with a mixture of unsalted butter, brown sugar, and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice. Stir a spoonful of the mixture into whiskey and hot water until the butter melts. A cinnamon stick makes a fitting garnish.

Bourbon adds sweetness, rye brings more spice, and Scotch can contribute smoky notes. The butter mixture can also be made ahead and refrigerated.

Cranberry whiskey sour

A cranberry whiskey sour puts a seasonal spin on the classic combination of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar or simple syrup. Add cranberry juice or use cranberry syrup in place of plain syrup. The fruit’s tartness suits the drink’s sour profile and keeps it from becoming too sweet.

Bourbon, rye, and Irish whiskey all work well. Scotch can also be used, though a heavily peated style may overpower the other flavors. Egg white or aquafaba is optional for a foamy finish.

Maple old fashioned

In this variation on the classic old fashioned, maple syrup replaces the sugar, while orange bitters bring a bright, seasonal touch. Bourbon works particularly well, though a bourbon-and-rye blend can make the drink more balanced.

It remains a whiskey-forward cocktail, making it a good fit for guests who enjoy strong, spirit-led drinks.

Gingerbread Manhattan

A gingerbread Manhattan combines the character of a classic Manhattan with the warmth of ginger and baking spices. Bourbon is often used for its vanilla and sweet-spice notes, though recipes vary: some keep vermouth, while others use an amaro.

Gingerbread bitters or ginger syrup can supply the ginger flavor, with cinnamon and allspice adding extra depth. The result is festive without losing the cocktail’s elegant, boozy feel.

Alpine old fashioned

For a less conventional seasonal drink, an Alpine old fashioned pairs rye whiskey with pine liqueur and Génépy, an herbal liqueur associated with the Alps. The pine and green, vegetal flavors evoke a wintry mountain setting rather than the familiar sweetness of cinnamon or ginger.

Whiskey Mac

The Whiskey Mac is made with just two ingredients: whiskey and ginger wine. The usual approach is to combine equal parts, though the proportions can be adjusted to make the drink stronger or sweeter. Blended Scotch is a practical choice, but bourbon and single malt can work too.

For a warmer version, add hot water. It’s a simple option when you want to serve guests without spending the evening mixing complicated drinks.

Apple cider whiskey smash

Shake apple cider, whiskey, and lemon juice with ice, then serve over fresh ice. Lemon helps balance the cider’s sweetness. A pinch of pumpkin pie spice or a cinnamon stick can add more fall-and-winter character.

Rye brings a spicy edge, while bourbon complements the apple with added sweetness. Store-bought cider works well, though homemade cider can make the drink feel more special.

Weathered axe

The weathered axe is a less familiar cocktail that mixes whiskey with ginger syrup, lemon juice, and triple sec. Some versions also use quinquina or vermouth. The combination of ginger, orange, and lemon gives it a seasonal feel without making it overtly holiday-themed.

Bourbon is a classic choice, but Scotch, Irish whiskey, and rye can also work. Shake the ingredients and serve over ice.

Winter old fashioned

This whiskey-forward variation replaces the usual sugar with allspice dram, a sweet liqueur made with allspice berries. Bourbon is often used to reinforce the drink’s softer, sweeter notes.

It’s a restrained way to bring seasonal spice to an old fashioned—well suited to those who prefer a boozy cocktail without a showy garnish.

A Muskegon distillery is releasing a limited-edition rum in honor of the USS Silversides’ return to the city after a rare trip across Lake Michigan.

Wonderland Distilling Co. and the USS Silversides Submarine Museum created SS-236 Navy Strength Rum, named for the submarine’s hull number. The rum is 55% alcohol by volume, a nod to the traditional strength of rum rations once issued to sailors. The practice had ended in the U.S. by the time the Silversides was built, though it continued elsewhere.

The rum is set to debut at noon on Nov. 21 at Wonderland’s cocktail bar in Muskegon.

The Silversides was one of the most successful U.S. submarines in World War II. It sank 23 Japanese ships, damaged several others, destroyed 16 sea mines and rescued two downed pilots. The submarine has served as a museum in Muskegon since 1987.

It recently returned from a $3.5 million historic preservation project and is expected to reopen to visitors on Nov. 7. Wonderland co-founder Allen Serio said the rum was created as a tribute to the submarine, its crew and the community preserving its legacy.

Read more about the USS Silversides’ return to Muskegon.

Philadelphia-based Stateside Brands has launched “The New American Classic,” a campaign giving its flagship Stateside Vodka a refreshed identity ahead of the holiday season. The campaign presents the brand through a modern Americana lens, emphasizing timeless style, confidence and everyday celebrations.

The updated branding and packaging were developed in-house, with the campaign created alongside Philadelphia agency Quaker City Mercantile. Set across the city, it spotlights settings such as neighborhood bars, tailgates, holiday gatherings and get-togethers with friends. The refreshed look also extends to a clothing collection featuring hats, T-shirts, hoodies and rugby shirts.

Founded in Philadelphia in 2015 by brothers Matt and Bryan Quigley and Clement and Zach Pappas, Stateside Vodka was created to challenge established premium American vodka brands. The company says the spirit retains its smooth character and clean finish, now at a more accessible price.

The campaign marks a new chapter for the brand after strong growth in Stateside Brands’ ready-to-drink portfolio. Its Surfside vodka-based iced teas and lemonades recorded 11.1 million case depletions in 2025. Super Lyte’s Hard Ade launch in March 2026 was described by the company as the largest spirits RTD launch of all time.

Stateside Vodka can be served neat or on the rocks, and used in cocktails such as a Vodka Martini, Moscow Mule or Espresso Martini. It is available in 36 U.S. markets, with a suggested retail price of $20 for a 750-milliliter bottle. Distribution is expanding nationwide.

The brand is also connected to Philadelphia through Stateside Live!, its role as the Official Vodka of the Philadelphia Phillies, and its partnership with the New York Yankees. Visitors can explore the Stateside Distillery and Vodka Bar & Tasting Room in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood.

More information is available at StatesideVodka.com.

Hera the Dog Vodka began with years of animal-rescue work—and a misunderstanding over a cat’s name.

After trying different ways to raise money for animal organizations, including selling T-shirts at heavy-metal concerts, Julia Pennington began exploring a spirits business with her nephew, who owns a distillery. The idea took shape in 2016, and after two years of development, the vodka was ready to launch in 2018.

The name came about while Pennington was feeding a cat colony in California. A friend suggested “Hair of the Dog,” but Pennington misheard the phrase and thought her friend was talking about Hera, her cat. The confusion inspired the brand’s name.

The vodka is made from organic, non-GMO Italian red winter wheat. It is distilled seven times, filtered through coconut charcoal, and produced in small batches at an independent distillery in downtown Los Angeles. Each bottle is 40% alcohol by volume and sells for about $28.99.

Pennington’s husband, Jeff Blyseth, and his team at Axis Studios designed the dog illustration on the bottle. Pennington says the image shows a dog watching over Los Angeles as a protector of animals—a tribute to a local park where she spent considerable time rescuing abandoned animals.

The vodka has received several industry honors, including a double-gold award at the 2024 SIP Awards. But Pennington says its impact on animal welfare matters most. The company donates 6% of each bottle’s proceeds to animal-rescue groups and spay-and-neuter programs in the area where the bottle is purchased. By October 2026, it had contributed $72,000 to grassroots organizations.

The support is intended for animals of all kinds, not just dogs. At home, Pennington and Blyseth care for 13 cats and three dogs. Two cats and all three dogs are foster animals waiting for homes. They have also rehabilitated and released three opossums, which still visit nightly.

A cocktail Pennington recommends is a dirty martini made with 2 ounces of Hera The Dog Vodka, ½ ounce of extra-dry vermouth, and ½ ounce of olive juice. Chill with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with olives.

King Charles was caught off guard after tasting a limited-edition rum created in his honour during his visit to Guyana.

The King was offered a glass of “Royal Welcome” rum on Thursday, the first day of his two-day trip to the South American country. The spirit was produced by Banks DIH to mark his state visit.

Before trying it, Charles asked nearby guests whether they drank rum and joked about “endless rum punches at the end of the day”. He smelled the drink, took a sip, raised his eyebrows and pulled a surprised face before saying: “Very good”.

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali encouraged him to finish it, but Charles seemed wary of drinking too much while on duty. “It won’t last long,” he said, taking another sip, before turning to an aide and appearing to say, “I can’t drink it.”

He then thanked his hosts and joked that somebody else would have to finish the glass. The King added that it was “a great pick-me-up”, recalling a saying attributed to his grandmother, the Queen Mother.

Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the rum was more than 20 years old and had been made especially for the occasion. He described it as smooth, rich and flavourful.

Charles arrived in Guyana from the Bahamas as part of a nine-day Caribbean tour, which is due to end in Antigua and Barbuda, where he will reunite with Queen Camilla. The visit celebrates Guyana’s culture and people as the country marks 60 years of independence from Britain. It also comes amid calls from Caribbean nations for an apology and reparations for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Read more about the King’s Caribbean tour.

Sacramento Kings fans can order a custom espresso martini from Aspen Vodka-branded carts at Golden 1 Center during games.

Aspen Vodka became the official spirits partner of the Kings and Golden 1 Center through a multi-year partnership announced earlier this year. The companies cited their shared focus on environmental stewardship: both the vodka’s production facility and the arena are LEED Platinum-certified.

Aspen Vodka is available through the brand’s website and at local Total Wine & More stores, where it is listed for $21.99.

Fans can also make the drink at home:

Ingredients

• 2 oz Aspen Vodka
• ½ oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
• ¼ oz simple syrup
• Optional: coffee beans or cinnamon, for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until well chilled, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with coffee beans or cinnamon, if desired.

King Charles III sampled a special Guyanese rum during a reception at State House in Georgetown, where President Mohamed Irfaan Ali welcomed him on the opening evening of the King’s two-day state visit.

The rum, Royal Welcome, is a limited-edition 2026 blend produced by Banks DIH in honor of the visit. After smelling and tasting it, Charles described the spirit as “very good.” The president encouraged him to take another sip.

Banks DIH rum plant executive Gregory Garraway said the blend was more than 20 years old, offering the King an example of Guyana’s rum-making craft. The bottling also drew attention to the company’s XM range: its five-, 12- and 15-year-old expressions received Gold Quality Awards at the 2026 Monde Selection competition, according to Banks DIH.

Guyana has a distinctive place in Caribbean rum culture, with a tradition closely associated with Demerara. The country’s rum heritage includes El Dorado 15, known for notes of brown sugar, coffee, oak and dried apricot, as well as El Dorado Single Barrel ICBU. El Dorado is made by Demerara Distillers and is separate from Banks DIH’s XM brand.

The visit came as Guyana marked 60 years of independence. After his stay in The Bahamas, the King was due to continue to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In Georgetown, the aged, specially blended rum offered a memorable introduction to the country’s spirits and craftsmanship.

Nate Woodruff’s path to launching his own whiskey brand began with a yearlong road trip. Six years ago, the Boonton native left his job, sold his belongings and traveled across the country in a Chevy van with his dog, pursuing hiking, photography and fine whiskey.

Now known in the spirits world as Whiskey Nate, Woodruff is preparing to launch Wilder Heart, a brand inspired by his life outdoors. After working as a brand ambassador for whiskey producers including WhistlePig, he gained experience with the industry’s blending and production processes.

Woodruff describes Wilder Heart as “strictly whiskey.” The blend draws on American-made whiskeys—including bourbon, rye, wheat, corn and single malt—and contains no added flavorings. He sees the approach as a chance to create distinctive blends in a category he believes has room to grow.

The initial release includes two bottles: Wilder Heart Whiskey at 94 proof and Wilder Heart Cask Strength at 117.5 proof. Preorders are being accepted for delivery beginning in mid-November to more than 40 states, including New Jersey. The first retail sales are planned for Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming. Preorders are available online.

Woodruff’s connection to whiskey grew alongside his outdoor photography. During his road trip, he shared images of bottles set against landscapes he explored, attracting whiskey producers interested in featuring their brands in those settings. Wilder Heart also shares its name with a podcast series he launched earlier this year.

The brand is being produced in partnership with VCL North America, part of UK-based spirits company VCL Vintners. For Woodruff, the wilderness is central to the brand’s identity—and to the moments he hopes the whiskey will accompany, such as gathering around a fire after a long day outside.

He now lives in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountain region, where the nearest traffic is about 77 miles away in Jackson Hole. Though he misses friends and a favorite Boonton deli sandwich, Woodruff says the quiet, open country suits him: “I’ve just never been happier.”

D’YAVOL Spirits has launched in the United States with two products: Single Estate Vodka and Inception Blended Malt Scotch Whisky. The move follows the brand’s recent UK debut and is part of its effort to expand internationally.

The vodka is made in Poland from 100% winter wheat using a grain-to-glass process, then filtered through black pearls. The company describes it as crisp, with raisin notes, subtle sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel.

Inception brings together eight single malts from four Scottish regions. Aged for up to 12 years in first-fill tawny port and Madeira casks, the whisky is non-chill filtered and features fruity sweetness, gentle smoke and peat, with notes of pear, cherry, toffee and raisin.

Since its first product launched in 2023, D’YAVOL says its vodka, Inception and Vortex blended Scotch have received 53 international awards, including “Scotch of the Year” and “Vodka of the Year” titles, as well as Gold and Double Gold medals.

Both new releases are imported and distributed in the US by SG Worldwide and are available at select stores nationwide. The company plans to expand availability in the coming months. Its portfolio also includes Vortex, and it says luxury tequilas are planned for the future.