About New Holland Distillery

New Holland Brewing & Distilling, founded in 1997 in Holland, Michigan, began as a craft brewery before expanding into spirits in the mid-2000s. Today, it’s one of Michigan’s premier producers of both beer and whiskey, best known for their Dragon’s Milk brand of barrel-aged stout and whiskey.

The distillery’s flagship whiskey line, Dragon’s Milk Origin Bourbon, reflects a high-malt mash bill that sets it apart from many Kentucky bourbons. This malt backbone gives the spirit a rounder, richer base that plays beautifully with finishing techniques.

In recent years, New Holland has leaned heavily into innovation through its Origin Toasted Barrel Series, a collection of limited single barrels finished in toasted oak, often paired with fortified wine casks like sherry or port. These whiskeys showcase the distillery’s ability to merge Michigan craftsmanship with a bold, experimental edge.

The 2025 Toasted Barrel releases — Sweater Weather (2025E), Candy Shop (2025F), and Take Me Home, Country Roads (2025G) — are prime examples of this program, each highlighting unique barrel finishes while retaining New Holland’s signature high-proof, malt-driven character.

Origin Toasted Barrel 2025E — Sweater Weather

The “Sweater Weather” release is a toasted-barrel, barrel-proof single barrel finished in both toasted oak and sherry casks. As the name suggests, it’s meant to evoke a cozy autumn pour, where fruit, spice, and oak converge.

Bottle Details

• Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Toasted Barrel Single Barrel
• ABV: Barrel Proof (119.6)
• Mash Bill: High-malt bourbon (exact percentages undisclosed)
• Finish: Toasted oak & sherry barrels
• Age: NAS (typically 4–6 years before finishing)
• Distillery: New Holland Brewing & Distilling (Holland, Michigan)
• MSRP: $99.99 (limited release)
• Availability: 2025 single-barrel program

Tasting Notes

Nose
Baked apple and maple syrup rise first, layered with cream soda and vanilla custard. Dried cherries and raisins from the sherry finish bring warmth, balanced by cinnamon, clove, and cedar wood spice.

Palate
Thick and warming — molasses, caramelized sugar, and toasted oak tannins coat the tongue. Mid-palate reveals sherry fruit, brown sugar, and subtle coffee bitterness. A faint smokiness ties everything together.

Finish
Long, drying, and oaky, with maple sweetness and dried fruit returning late. Baking spice lingers pleasantly, never overwhelming.

How Much Would I Pay for Sweater Weather?

💰 Max Price I’d Pay: $100

Bourbinsane Breakdown

⭐ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0 / 5)
🥃 Experience Scale: Bold, autumnal, and well-rounded — a sherry-finished toasted bourbon at its best.
🥃 Should You Buy Sweater Weather?
Yes. If you enjoy high-proof bourbons with fruit and spice balance, this is a seasonal standout.

Is Sweater Weather Worth It?

Absolutely. It’s complex yet approachable, with oak and fruit dancing in harmony. For fall evenings, few pours feel more fitting.

Origin Toasted Barrel 2025F — Candy Shop

“Candy Shop” lives up to its name, offering one of the sweetest and most confectionary profiles in the Origin line. Finished in both toasted oak and port barrels, it leans dessert-like with jammy fruit and candied sugar notes.

Bottle Details

• Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Toasted Barrel Single Barrel
• ABV: Barrel Proof (120.7)
• Mash Bill: High-malt bourbon (exact percentages undisclosed)
• Finish: Toasted oak & port barrels
• Age: NAS (4–6 years before finishing)
• Distillery: New Holland Brewing & Distilling (Holland, Michigan)
• MSRP: $99.99
• Availability: 2025 single-barrel program

Tasting Notes

Nose
Red licorice, candied citrus peel, and maraschino cherry dominate. Port influence adds a rich layer of dark berries and molasses. Sweet vanilla cream balances the fruit.

Palate
Upfront sweetness — candied cherry, sticky orange peel, blackberry jam. Port adds richness and depth, while toasted oak provides caramelized crust and light cocoa bitterness.

Finish
Medium-long with dark fruit echo, fading into toasted oak and warm spice. Jammy but balanced.

How Much Would I Pay for Candy Shop?

💰 Max Price I’d Pay: $90

Bourbinsane Breakdown

⭐ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¾ (3.75 / 5)
🥃 Experience Scale: Dessert-forward and indulgent — best for those who love sweet, port-finished bourbons.
🥃 Should You Buy Candy Shop?
Yes, if jammy fruit and sweetness are your thing.

Is Candy Shop Worth It?

For port lovers, definitely. It’s fun, flavorful, and distinctive. For those who prefer drier profiles, it may lean too sweet — but that’s exactly its appeal.

Origin Toasted Barrel 2025G — Take Me Home, Country Roads

This release emphasizes toasted oak more than fortified wine, offering a rustic, oak-driven bourbon with orchard fruit undertones.

Bottle Details

• Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Toasted Barrel Single Barrel
• ABV: Barrel Proof (115.8)
• Mash Bill: High-malt bourbon (exact percentages undisclosed)
• Finish: Toasted oak
• Age: NAS (4–6 years before finishing)
• Distillery: New Holland Brewing & Distilling (Holland, Michigan)
• MSRP: $99.99
• Availability: 2025 single-barrel program

Tasting Notes

Nose
Orchard fruit (apple, pear), honey, and fresh-cut hay. Toasted oak brings vanilla, cedar, and nutmeg spice.

Palate
Caramel and honey up front. Orchard fruit compote in the middle, supported by toasted oak tannins and a clean malt backbone.

Finish
Long and oak-forward. Charred wood lingers, but fruit and honey soften the dryness. Nutmeg and pepper add spice to the tail.

How Much Would I Pay for Take Me Home, Country Roads?

💰 Max Price I’d Pay: $95

Bourbinsane Breakdown

⭐ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐¾–⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.75–4.0 / 5)
🥃 Experience Scale: Rustic, oak-driven, and satisfying — for those who love a toasted profile.
🥃 Should You Buy Take Me Home, Country Roads?
Yes, if you’re an oak lover.

Is Take Me Home, Country Roads Worth It?

Definitely. It may not be as flashy as the wine-finished siblings, but it delivers a strong, oak-focused experience that highlights the heart of the Toasted Barrel series.