1. Rumchata
Uniting Caribbean rum, Wisconsin dairy cream, and Mexican spice, RumChata is a smooth, comforting cream liqueur. The horchata-like drink, also available in limón and peppermint bark flavors, has a new ripe-for-summer coconut cream variant that calls to mind beach getaways.
SRP: $23 per 750-ml bottle
rumchata.com
2. Maker’s Mark
For the fifth and final offering in its Wood Finishing series, which launched in 2019, Maker’s Mark presents BEP. Capitalizing on its 110 barrel entry proof, this limited-edition 2023 release embraces virgin toasted American oak staves to maximize a flood of soft vanilla and brown sugar notes.
SRP: $69.99 per 750-ml bottle
makersmark.com
3. Del Maguey
Del Maguey, founded by artist Ron Cooper, is the brand that introduced Americans to mezcal, and its Vida Puebla expression (an extension of the classic, bartenderbeloved Vida Clásico made in Oaxaca) will now shine a light on the less well known mezcal-producing state of Puebla. Crafted at a palenque in Axocopan, it expresses a minerality redolent of volcanic rock found in the Puebla soil.
SRP: $37.99 per 750-ml bottle
delmaguey.com
4. CK Mondavi Family
Reflecting the collective vision of the six cousins who represent Mondavi family’s fourth generation, the CK Mondavi Family Select range comes courtesy of winemaker Angelina Mondavi, who brings together grapes from vineyard blocks in Dunnigan Hills, Lodi, Yountville, and St. Helena. The citrusy 2022 Chardonnay is splashed with Viognier, and the full-bodied 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is boosted by a blend of Merlot, Petite Sirah, and a dash of Petit Verdot.
SRP: $15.99 per 750-ml bottle
ckmondavi.com
5. Napa Valley Quilt
Quality wine is meant for casual occasions, too—that’s the premise behind fifthgeneration winemaker Joe Wagner’s passion project, Threadcount. Wagner, founder of Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, has created the California red blend as part of his luxe Napa Quilt portfolio. A marriage of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot from Mendocino, Sonoma, and Lodi, Threadcount was aged in 50 percent new French oak for between¢12 and 16 months, culminating in well-structured tannins and hints of strawberry jam and baking spice.
SRP: $24.99 per 750-ml bottle
quiltwines.com
6. White Claw
It disrupted the hard seltzer market, and now White Claw has turned its attention to Triple Wave Filtered premium vodka (SRP: $18.99 per 750-ml bottle). Distilled five times from 100 percent American grain, it undergoes pressure that is equal to three 30-foot-high waves and is filtered through activated carbon. In addition to mango, black cherry, and pineapple spin-offs, there
is the 100-calorie, ready-to-drink White Claw Vodka & Soda (4.5% ABV) in flavors of pineapple, peach, watermelon, and wild cherry.
SRP: $10.99 per four-pack of 12-oz. cans
whiteclaw.com
7. Bushmills
Two ultra-premium 92-proof single malts have elevated the Bushmills Irish whiskey portfolio. There’s the 25-year-old, aged in bourbon and sherry casks before finishing in first-fill Ruby Port wine pipes for 19 years, as well as the 30-year-old (SRP: $2,000 per 750-ml bottle). Matured for nearly 14 years in bourbon and sherry barrels, its liquid then patiently rests in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for another 16 years.
SRP: $900 per 750-ml bottle (25-year-old)
bushmills.com
8. Calirosa Tequila
Calirosa, founded by Adam Levine, Behati Prinsloo, and long-time tequila producers the Real Family, has completed its collection of pink-tinted, red wine barrel-aged 100 percent Blue Weber agave spirits with Calirosa reposado. Straddling the Rosa blanco and añejo (there is also an extra añejo and limited-edition Cinco Años Extra Añejo), the reposado was matured for nine months and meant to be woven into cocktails like the Paloma.
SRP: $59.99 per 750-ml bottle
calirosatequila.com
9. McQueen and the Violet Fog
The Ultraviolet edition of McQueen and the Violet Fog Brazilian gin stands out for its arresting purple hue sprung from a mix of natural vegetable juices and carmine. Like the original, its recipe is centered on 21 botanicals, including lemongrass, jasmine flower, and pomelo peel but invigorated by red berry and hibiscus flavors. When citrus or tonic meets Ultraviolet, its color immediately morphs to pink.
SRP: $34.99 per 750-ml bottle
mcqueenvioletfog.com
10. Hakkaisan Brewery
On the heels of its 100th anniversary last year, Hakkaisan has released a pair of new sakes. The food-friendly Kowagura Daiginjo (SRP: $72 per 720-ml bottle) is crisp and showcases deep rice notes, while the Junmai Daiginjo “Yukimuro” 8 Years Snow Aged, which mellowed for eight years in a snow storage facility, balances a finessed maturity with a zippy, refreshing profile.
SRP: $90 per 720-ml bottle (Yukimuro)
hakkaisanusa.com
11. Rombauer Vineyards
Well-regarded for its Chardonnay, Rombauer Vineyards, in Napa Valley, hasn’t expanded its portfolio since rolling out Sauvignon Blanc in 2014. But, in response to customer demand, there is now the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2021, developed in collaboration with West Coast Pinot Noir expert Adam Lee. The rich wine balances red fruit flavors with warm spice.
SRP: $65 per 750-ml bottle
rombauer.com
12. Sonomacutrer
Sustainable producer Sonoma-Cutrer’s 2022 Rosé of Pinot Noir has arrived. Made with grapes from the Vine Hill and Owsley vineyards in the Russian River Valley, the Burgundian-style wine opens with aromas of tangerine, wild strawberry, and raspberry, leading to a rush of red berry fruit on the palate.
SRP: $19.99 per 750-ml bottle
sonomacutrer.com
