You’ve waited all year for this. Wonderful autumnal treats are arriving and the country is stocking up. No, I’m not referring to a particular “flavored”, cloying concoction. You deserve better than that. You’re a whiskey imbiber. This time of year brings seasonal blends and limited run expressions from our favorite distilleries to warm our stomachs and cut the bite of plummeting temperatures. Today, I’m talking about Alabama whiskey.

Haven’t heard of it? Allow me to enlighten you. Clyde May originated this soon-to-be ubiquitous style of whiskey by adding oven-dried green apple to his moonshine. It gives it a sort of… je ne sais quoi, he said. Actually, he probably didn’t say that. What he did do, however, was spend several months in the slammer for shinin’ only to build a new still the day he was released. Sixty some years later, Clyde Jr. (we’ll call him Kenny) resurrected the family business. Despite the fact that he too was found guilty of violating Bama’s liquor laws, he went on to develop this rebel whiskey brand and it was named Alabama’s Official State Spirit in 2004.

This fall, Clyde May’s presents Special Reserve. It comes from a blend of a few specially reserved lots of 5 and 6 year-old, rye-heavy bourbon mashes. Special Reserve shares the pronounced apple flavor of the standard Clyde May’s but adds a one-two punch of cinnamon and a high proof bottling. 110 proof to be exact. I’d swear the combination actually creates a hint of cherry in there, too. Special Reserve meets expectations of being hot and spicy, yet comes off exceptionally smooth. Pour yourself a dram and sip it by the fire. This treat is a must-try this season.

You can find this limited offering in stores now for $69.