Fitness
The Best New Limited-Edition Scotches of 2021
These days, it seems like all the showiest limited-edition whiskies are bourbons and ryes. They take up the most space on liquor store shelves and feature heavily on Instagram feeds and bar lists. Although plenty of whiskey lovers drink scotch, the fabled spirit has lost a bit of its luster of late. Toiling under a 25 percent import tariff in the U.S. since October 2018, the scotch industry has largely been lying low. Distillers ran down the clock in the hopes of a change in trade policy. Supply chain issues and production interruptions due to the pandemic have also taken a toll on transatlantic whisky commerce. Thankfully, things are leveling off for scotch producers, so you can get some incredible limited-edition scotches.
In June, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss agreed to suspend the tariffs on single malt scotch (and a host of other products) for five years. Distilleries and bottling lines that closed during the lockdowns of 2020 are now back up and running, churning out plenty of the good stuff.
Those are all great reasons to treat yourself to some of the newest scotches to his the scene, if thirst for something new wasn’t enough. Look for these delicious single malts (and one knockout blend) from Islay, the Highlands, Campbeltown, and more.
The Best New Limited-Edition Scotches of 2021
1. Lagavulin Offerman Edition: Guinness Cask Finish
Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman made no secret of his IRL love for Lagavulin when in character as Ron Swanson; it was the prickly department director’s favorite scotch too. So when Offerman teamed up with the distillery to launch his own 11-year-old single malt in 2019, TV and whisky fans alike embraced it. Now the collaborators are back with a new whisky. This one is finished for four months in beer barrels from Guinness’s Open Gate Brewery in Maryland. Take a close look at the front label and you’ll see the famous Guinness toucans. They’re flying over a tiny Offerman and his father, Ric, fishing in a wee rowboat.
[$80; drizly.com]
2. Dewar’s 19-Year-Old The Champion’s Edition
This spring, Dewar’s announced a three-year sponsorship of the U.S. Open golf tournament, and one component of that partnership is, of course, whisky. The inaugural release in Dewar’s special U.S. Open series includes a blend of malt and grain whiskies, all aged at least 19 years. It was finished in ex-bourbon casks under the expert hand of master blender Stephanie Macleod. The bottle, in a sleek silver box, hit shelves in May and can still be found at retail. Even better: A portion of sales supports the USGA Foundation.
[$80; reservebar.com]
3. Ardbeg Scorch
During the annual Fèis Ìle, the Islay Festival of Malt and Music, each of the island’s distilleries releases a limited-edition whisky. Rarely do those bottlings make their way stateside, except in the case of Ardbeg. It offers both a cask-strength release for its fan club, the Ardbeg Committee, and a more widely available version at 46 percent ABV. Inspired by dragon mythology, this year’s whisky, Ardbeg Scorch, was aged in heavily charred ex-bourbon casks. It yields an intensely oak-forward character that mingles nicely with the distillery’s characteristic oily, ashy peat.
[$120; ardbeg.com]
4. Talisker 43-Year-Old Xpedition Oak: The Atlantic Challenge
The oldest release ever to come from the Isle of Skye distillery, this whisky is appropriately pricy—though still a relative bargain compared to similarly aged scotches from higher-profile producers. Xpedition Oak has all the signature hallmarks of Talisker—sweet smoke, sea salt, and peppery spice—and you may taste a little something extra too: The whisky was finished in casks made with wood staves that sailed along the route of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, an annual rowing competition that raises money for charity. Just 1,830 bottles—an homage to the distillery’s founding year—are available, with bottle number one set to be auctioned to support Parley for the Oceans later this year.
[$4,000; reservebar.com]
5. Ardnamurchan Small Batch AD/03.21:02
Most new distilleries can’t afford to wait more than the required three-year aging period to release their first scotches, but Ardnamurchan—owned by independent bottler Adelphi Selections—doubled that timeframe for its debut. After opening in 2014, the remote Highland distillery, which sits on a narrow, finger-like peninsula in the country’s far west, has allowed this moderately peated single malt to mature in sherry and bourbon casks for around six years before bottling it at 46.8 percent ABV. The first batch of about 5,000 bottles just hit the U.S. market, each one traceable via blockchain. And if you’re looking for even more, there’s also a U.S.-only single cask of unpeated Ardnamurchan ($110) at a hefty cask strength of 59.4% ABV.
[$65; dandm.com]
6. Glen Scotia Campbeltown Malts Festival Bordeaux Finish
Tiny Campbeltown was once the beating heart of scotch whisky production, but today has just three distilleries—Springbank, Glengyle, and Glen Scotia. The latter creates a robust, oily spirit that takes well to just about any type of cask. Though most maturation takes place in ex-bourbon barrels, the annual limited edition, bottled for the local whisky festival, typically features a special finish, including rum, tawny port, and—this year—red wine casks from Médoc in Bordeaux. Bottled at a cask strength of 56.1% ABV, it tastes of fruit, honey, and the distillery’s signature saltwater note.
[$100; whiskykingdom.com]
7. Dalmore 12-Year-Old Sherry Cask Select
There’s an abundance of 12-year-old scotches on the market, but when Dalmore releases a new offering, whisky fans pay attention. The luxe Highland distillery launched this single malt exclusively at Total Wine & More stores in the U.S. earlier this year, where it will remain until at least February 2022. Initially aged in ex-bourbon casks, the whisky—overseen by legendary master distiller Richard Paterson—spent a two-year finishing period in sherry casks that were custom-designed for Dalmore by three cooperages (Paez, Tevasa, and Vasyma) and seasoned with a special PX-oloroso blend.
[$80; totalwine.com]
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The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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