Hello reader!

I’ve got something very special for you today that’s been in the works for a long time — since the beginning of the year, to be precise. I am super psyched to bring you the inaugural installment of The InsideHook Spill Awards, an exhaustive suite of features highlighting our absolute favorite new booze of the year.

The centerpiece is our list of The 25 Best New Bottles of the Year, which includes everything from agave spirits and aperitifs to, of course, plenty of whiskey. We also have separate articles on our favorite bourbons, ryes, tequilas, non-American whiskeys, our favorite brewery and vineyard of the year, plus an interview with the most interesting whisky maker of 2023 and look at the bar world with Danger Danger and Attaboy co-owner Sam Ross.

I’m extremely proud of all the work that went into this, and I’d be remiss not to give a little shoutout to our team of loyal contributors, plus our own Amanda Gabriele, Bonnie Stiernberg and, most of all, Kirk Miller, who’s been dutifully covering this beat for us for over 10 years. If you see him out there, buy him a drink.

Oh, and for anyone who’s unaware, The Spill is our weekly newsletter about drinking and the culture around it. If you haven’t already subscribed, you can do so here.

Thanks for reading.

Mike Conklin
Editor-in-Chief