2020 has been quite the year, and with the election two weeks away, the end will be just as impressive as the beginning. While alcohol consumption has gone up during the pandemic, it doesn’t necessarily we’re all drinking basic drinks. 2020 has brought in many new products onto the table; whether a collaboration or a rarity, here are some we need on our bar car. And so should you.

The Balvenie Releases Batch 7 Of The Much-Revered Tun 1509 Series

The Balvenie announced this month the release of Tun 1509 Batch 7. The latest expression in the highly revered and collectible Tun series, Tun 1509 Batch 7 showcases Malt Master David Stewart MBE’s expertise and stock management skills to marry 21 unique casks from The Balvenie’s aged whisky stocks.

The resulting liquid comprises of a deep, rich and exotic oak notes followed by sweeter aromas of dried fruits, raisins, and dates, then a spicy outburst of ground ginger and some melted brown sugar. It is delightfully rich and lush and slight peppery on the palette with candied orange peel, vanilla, layers of honeycomb, toasted hazelnuts with some spicy ginger and nutmeg to finish, priced at $409.99.

Kelsea Ballerini X  Beringer Brothers Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Chances are you've already watched (and re-watched) the latest fun & frivolous music video from, Kelsea Ballerini. Hole in the Bottle is as catchy as it is relatable, with Kelsea singing about the way her red wine seems to do a kind of disappearing act. And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t the line “This Cabernet has a way of vanishing on me” resonate with? For Kelsea, that Cabernet is none other than Beringer Brothers Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you haven’t checked out the whimsical Hole in the Bottle video yet, you can commiserate with the country star about the trials of a wine bottle that just won’t stay full.

For whiskey and wine lovers alike, Beringer Brothers Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 60 days in second pass charred American Oak barriques which previously held Bourbon. The resulting wine bursts with aromas of ripe black cherry, dark chocolate and vanilla with a palate showcasing toasted hazelnuts, toffee and blackberry preserves on the finish (SRP $20).

Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka Launches Third Expression: Onyx

Crystal Head Vodka launched its unique new expression, Onyx, one of the first commercially available agave-based vodkas.

Made with Blue Weber Agave sourced from a single farm in Mexico, Onyx connects the growth of super-premium tequila to vodka. It is a line extension – an addition to the Crystal Head family, joining Original, produced from Canadian corn, and Aurora, crafted from English wheat.

Onyx comes in a luxurious glossy black bottle (Crystal Head's iconic skull) with a matching crest debossed cap, a celebration of the powerful, warrior crystal: Onyx.

Penfolds Releases Champagne With Thiénot

Available Nov. 1st, family champagne house Thiénot and esteemed Australian winery Penfolds, will release their 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs (Avize Grand Cru) & 2012 Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs (Ay Grand Cru).

Sourced from two prestigious and highly regarded vineyards in Champagnes, the wines represent the joint effort of Thiénot chef de cave Nicolas Uriel and Penfolds Chef Winemaker Peter Gago. Both share mutual style, quality ambitions and philosophies, resulting in a must-try champagne of fruit, freshness, and finesse. This collaboration is a first of its kind for Penfolds, bringing together two major wine regions.

This is the only collection of champagne Penfolds has ever released. Both vintage at 750ml are available for purchase in late October 2020, retailing for $200.

Woodford Reserve Launches Baccarat Edition, Rare Cognac-Finished Bourbon in Crystal Decanter

The exclusive whiskey is Woodford Reserve Bourbon that has been aged an additional three years in XO cognac casks from France.  It is bottled in a handmade crystal decanter that took five days to create in Baccarat, France. 

Baccarat, celebrating more than 250 years, was founded in 1764 by King Louis XV. Woodford Reserve is located in Versailles, Kentucky, and named after the French city where generations of royalty lived and ruled.

The result is the best of both spirits – a balance of crisp American and French oak notes, complex fruit character, subtle spiciness, and a creamy confectionary finish.

The spectacular bottle design is meant to evoke the iconic Woodford Reserve bottle silhouette and is engraved in gold with Woodford Reserve’s and Baccarat’s iconic logos. It is presented in a signature Baccarat red box and includes a crystal stopper adorned with Woodford Reserve’s initials.

Woodford Baccarat is 90.4 proof and retails for $2,000.

Ruinart x Storm King 60th Anniversary Champagne Picnic Experience

The special Ruinart x Storm King 60th Anniversary Champagne Picnic available for consumers to enjoy during their visit in support of Storm King’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.

Offered through the end of November, Storm King visitors will be able to toast the Art Center’s 60th Anniversary with the special Ruinart Champagne Picnic for Two. Available for $110 at the on-site Café, the curated picnic offering includes a mini bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs gifted with two Riedel glasses and a special pairing menu of gourmet options including a smoked salmon salad, d’artagnan duck rillettes and more. Guests can simply pre-order and purchase the offering in advance or during their visit through the Cafés online portal HERE.

Ruinart is proud to support Storm King’s 60th Anniversary. With a longstanding dedication to the arts dating back to 1896, Ruinart is pleased to continue to support like-minded art institutions at the local level. Now more than ever, Ruinart believes it is important to support the art community and provide value and experienced to institutions and consumers alike.

Michael Jordan Brings Drop Culture to Tequila with "The Number Series" from Cincoro

Cincoro Tequila, which was founded by Michael Jordan, the driving force behind both sneaker and drop culture, and recently featured in The Last Dance as well as Travis Scott’s “FRANCHISE” music video.

After pioneering limited-edition drop culture at the height of his career and changing the world of fashion launches forever, Michael Jordan is bringing that strategy to the spirits market with “The Number Series” from Cincoro – interested consumers can register for first access now on Shop.Cincoro.com! Comprised of a limited number of the brand’s award-winning Añejo in a larger-than-life 1.75L offering, every bottle is engraved with a unique number, making each a one-of-a-kind item. Over twice the size of existing Cincoro offerings, and designed to be a larger version of the original Cincoro bottle that Michael Jordan created with former Nike designer Mark Smith, this limited-edition series will be available only as long as supplies last.

Volcan De Mi Tierra Launches New Reposado + Partnership with La Contenta

Volcán de Mi Tierra, the first premium tequila brand from Moët Hennessey, unveiled Volcán De Mi Tierra Reposado, the latest addition to the brand’s prestigious collection of premium, hand-crafted tequilas. Created in collaboration with Jalisco’s prominent Gallardo family, the new expression from Volcán marries tradition with innovation in delivering a seamless union of agave, terroir and wood.

Volcán Reposado embodies the perfect union of agave, terroir and wood. At the heart of Volcán Reposado is 100% blue agave from the high-lands, delivering a soft yet rich flavor that is free of additives. Each bottle considers and respects time and the ageing process, consisting of liquid that rests for 135 days in new casks made of American and European oak. This allows for a delicate yet complex interaction between the liquid and the wood and ultimately results in a pleasant release of toasted tobacco notes alongside those of pineapple, light citrus and honey, creating a smooth and balanced finish.

To commemorate the partnership, Volcán has embarked upon a partnership with Chef Luis Arce Mota and his team at La Contenta in New York City. To celebrate the new Reposado, La Contenta Oeste will feature a special Volcan pairing menu throughout the month of November as well as Tepache Volcánico, a beautiful cocktail featuring Volcán Blanco, the first expression from Volcan De Mi Tierra.