Why Buy: The third edition of High N' Wicked's unique single barrel series is rare (just 1,300 bottles in the U.S. market), distinctive, and delicious. We've come to expect nothing less from this boutique importer and specialty bottler, a rising star in the industry. Double-distilled and aged for 20 years in ex-bourbon barrels, it was crafted by the great Noel Sweeney, universally regarded as one of the most important distillers in the world (he won Distiller of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2021, and was inducted into the Whiskey Hall of Fame in 2017). 
 

What They're Saying: A slew of publications have heaped major praise upon High N' Wicked these past couple of years, among them Vinepair (which included Saints & Scholars II in its Best of 2023), Men's Journal, Whiskey Advocate, The Robb Report, Maxim, and Wine Enthusiast.
 

The Story: Part of our mission is to scour the market for emerging talent — to identify producers we think are destined for greatness, but who are just beginning their ascent. Among the recent crop of makers-on-the-rise is High N' Wicked, founded by two former executives  L. Lyons Brown, III and Kevin E. Sachs) who built the market for Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort in Europe and Asia. Its mission: to bring rare and distinguished bourbon, rye, and whiskey to discerning and demanding drinkers. Those drinkers, in other words, who pore over tech sheets and savor the all-important small details, and who are forever on the hunt for the singular and sublime.
 

The Series: This bottling belongs to the third installment of High N Wicked's unique single barrel series: the first five released at 18 years of age, the second five, at 19.
 

Specs: This single barrel single malt was double distilled in copper pot stills by Master Distiller/Master Blender Sweeney, and aged for 20 years in second fill ex-bourbon barrels. The barrels were originally sourced
from Heaven Hill, and were part of Sweeney's personal collection of barrels, acquired over the length of his  more than 30 years at Cooley Distillery.
 

Mash Bill: 100% malted barley.
 

Our Tasting Notes: With Sweeney's depth of experience and sensitivity on the one hand, and the rare and distinctive barreling on the other, it's little wonder this single malt expresses itself with such maturity and poise. This, more than anything – more than the spice and tropical notes on the nose, and the richer, more candied notes to follow – is what stayed with us, and had us returning later for sip after sip. And that finish: long and gentle and almost custardy.
 

ABV: 51.75% (103.5 proof) and bottled at cask strength, non chill-filtered and with no additives.
 

Fun Fact: In 2007, Brown III's Altamar Brands was one of only a handful of companies to import absinthe when the Treasury Department lifted a 95-year-old ban on the spirit, which some people believed, over the years, to cause madness; Van Gogh was reported to have been under its influence when he did damage to his ear.
 

Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the distiller, so rest assured: your single malt will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!