Although 2018 has come to a close, the readers of Beverage Industry had one more celebration for the calendar year. In Beverage Industry’s annual Readers’ Choice: New Product of the Year poll for 2018, readers selected Stillhouse Black Bourbon as their favorite new product release of the year.

With 67 percent of the vote, Stillhouse Black Bourbon is a blend of corn, rye barely and limestone, distilled and barreled in charred new American oak barrels before being charcoal filtered, the company says. The product is then rested and mellowed in roasted small-batch coffee beans, the company says. Stillhouse Black Bourbon features a 40 percent alcohol-by-volume content and is packaged in the company’s signature stainless steel 750-ml can.

In second place for New Product of the Year is Boom Boom Energy Drink. Tempire Group, manufactured under a license from Argo Food & Beverage International, introduced Boom Boom Energy Drink, a beverage designed to provide a boost of energy within a few minutes of ingestion for athletes, college students, businessmen and other professionals, the company says. The functional beverage is available nationwide in 250- and 355-ml cans.

Rounding out the No. 3 spot is Sebago Lake Distillery’s (SLD) Barrel Rested Portland Rum. The rum features oaky flavors similar to old bourbon, some spiciness from the rye that formerly inhabited the barrels, as well as the full mouthfeel and caramel goodness similar to a 100 percent pot still rum, the company says. SLD rums are available at select retailers in the New England area.

There are never a shortage of new product releases, so be sure to check back Feb. 12 for the launch of the January Reader’s Choice poll.