Barrell Craft Spirits has announced the launch of Barrell Bourbon Batch 038.

For this expression, the BCS blending team created a multi-mash bill blend of Kentucky (12 year), Tennessee (12 and 15 year), Indiana (9 and 10 year), and Maryland (8 year) bourbon whiskeys. The final blend features a derived mash bill of 79% corn, 17% rye, and 4% malted barley and was bottled at 58.48% ABV (116.96 proof) in Kentucky.

Official tasting notes for Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 follow:

Nose: Fruit punch with a touch of pineapple is quickly overtaken by aged wood. That woodiness expands into mint tea, fresh greenery, and dried hay, settling into a rich “forest floor” character. Thyme, lavender, and soft herbal notes add a resinous quality, like brushing through an herb garden. Beneath it all, a savory edge emerges, leather, toasted oak, and a hint of char.

Palate: Oatmeal raisin cookie, sweet potato pie, and crusty wheat bread highlight a balance of sweetness and savoriness. Manuka honey and beeswax evoke a full beehive richness. Sweet tea, clove, and warm spice lead into a firm, soft tannins. As it develops, a deeper earthiness takes hold, with black walnut, baking spice, dark chocolate, and a touch of smoke.

Finish: Roasted nuts, melted butter, and marzipan coat the palate. A subtle herbal bitterness cuts through the richness before deeper, aged tones emerge, reminiscent of cigar box and damp earth. Fresh ginger adds lift, balancing a returning wave of fruit with hints of red currant and dried cherry.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 is presented in a bottle with a special Red, White & Blue Label to commemorate the United States’ 250th Anniversary.

Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 is available for purchase at barrellbourbon.com and at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $84.99 per 750 mL bottle.

Source: Barrell Craft Spirits.

Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled the latest release in its Distillery Reserve collection: Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend.

The Distillery Reserve collection presents experiments that explore flavor through wood, aging, finishing, and blending techniques. Each one-time-only release is crafted from a small number of barrels and is packaged as a 375 mL bottle available exclusively at the distillery’s gift shops in Bardstown and Louisville.

To create Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend, Japanese Single Malt Whisky from Mars Komagatake and Tsunuki distilleries was shipped to Bardstown, Kentucky, where it was introduced into barrels containing Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and aged together for 12 months to allow the spirits to fully integrate.

The recipe for Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend follows:

Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend is presented at 109.8 proof (54.9% ABV) and is described as having notes of “caramelized plum, baked cherry, roasted malt, and toasted oak.”

Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend will be available in limited quantities for $99.99 beginning May 29, 2026.

Source: Bardstown Bourbon Company.

Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the return of two bourbons from the Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. collection: Four Grain and Cured Oak. Four Grain joins the distillery’s core lineup as an annual limited release, while Cured Oak returns as a rare, limited edition offering.

First introduced in 2017, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey is a 100 proof (50% ABV), small batch bourbon crafted from a four grain recipe featuring corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley. Distilled in 2015 and aged for 10 years, Four Grain is described as “both rich and balanced, offering notes of caramel, vanilla, and chocolate with a lightly spiced, lingering finish.”

Originally released in 2015, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak Bourbon Whiskey is a 100 proof (50% ABV), Bottled-in-Bond bourbon aged 10 years in barrels constructed from white oak staves that were air-dried for 13 months – more than twice the standard curing time. Buffalo Trace claims the extended curing process allows the whiskey to extract deeper, more complex flavors from the oak during maturation. Cured Oak is described as exhibiting “a rich and inviting profile with notes of tobacco, dried fruit, vanilla and toffee, complemented by undertones of seasoned oak and a long, dry finish.”

Both expressions will be available beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $79.99 per 750 mL bottle. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain will be available for purchase at the Buffalo Trace Distillery and Sazerac House Gift Shops, as well as select retailers in Kentucky and Louisiana. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak will be released via Sazerac’s distribution network to select retailers, bars, and restaurants across the United States.

Source: Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Bowmore has announced a new limited edition release to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive was produced from 100% floor malted barley and matured in a single first-fill Pedro Ximénez sherry cask (#3756) for 9 years, then bottled at 55.4% ABV.

Official tasting notes for Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive follow:

Nose: Rich, spicy and warming, dried currants, treacle toffee, caramelised plum, star anise, espresso, cocoa nibs, baked peach, earthy and smouldering peat smoke.

Taste: Warming, sweet and spicy, with notes of toasted almonds, raisins, sticky dates, and candied orange segments. Mouthcoating on the palate, with peach compote and a dusting of cinnamon, red apple, molasses, black pepper, sweet bbq woodsmoke.

Finish: Long and lingering woodsmoke, with dried fruits and warming cinnamon.

Bowmore Fèis Ìle 2026 Distillery Exclusive is limited to 641 bottles and is available for purchase exclusively at the Bowmore distillery for £130 (700 mL).

Source: Bowmore.

Laphroaig has announced the launch of it’s annual Càirdeas (Gaelic for “Friendship”) limited edition single malt Scotch whisky, Laphroaig Càirdeas French Oak.

Laphroaig Càirdeas French Oak has been 100% matured in French oak casks – a first for the distillery – and is bottled at 52.6% ABV.

Official tasting notes for Laphroaig Càirdeas French Oak follow:

Nose: Smoky, sweet, and savoury. Freshly cut wood shavings, earthy peat smoke, scent of polished leather and lapsang souchong tea leaves, sweetness of stone fruits emerges; maraschino cherries and plums. A briny sea breeze note rounds off the experience.

Taste: Viscous, oily and chewy on the palate; campfire smoke, vanilla and black liquorice. Initial woody and spiced notes give way to brittle dark chocolate intermingled with old leather, roasted coffee beans, demerara sugar and grated star anise. Towards the end a fresh fruitiness, reminiscent of ripe fresh honeydew melon, tart sweetness of cherries and a touch of pomegranate.

Finish: Smoke and sea salt notes with a long saline, savoury (smoked ham) finish.

Laphroaig Càirdeas French Oak is now available for a suggested retail price of £89 for a 700 mL bottle.

Source: Laphroaig.

Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the release of Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, a limited edition Bottled-in-Bond rye whiskey crafted to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Composed of a mashbill of 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley, and drawn from 90 barrels aged across multiple rickhouses and floors, Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Edition has been aged for 10 years and is presented non-chill filtered and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).

Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition is presented in patriotic packaging that prominently features “1776–2026” to mark the semiquincentennial, plus patriotic design elements such as stars and red, white and blue coloring, and the Liberty Bell to pay homage to Rittenhouse’s Pennsylvania roots.

Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition will be available in limited markets across the country beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Source: Heaven Hill Distillery.

Jura has announced two new limited edition single cask releases to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle, also known as The Islay Festival.

The first release, Jura Fèis Ìle 2026, is a 16 year old single malt that was initially matured in second fill Bourbon barrels, then finished for 18 months in a single Armagnac cask and bottled at a cask strength of 55.3% ABV.

Jura Fèis Ìle 2026 is described as having aromas of “apricot, 60% dark chocolate, apple marigold, and a hint of bittersweet black liquorice.” The palate exhibits flavors of “hazelnut, assorted fresh and dried stone fruit, rustic notes reminiscent of dunnage warehousing and farmhouse saison, apple crumble, dried fig, and prune.” It concludes with “dried nectarine, 60% dark chocolate, and subtle rock pool notes for a long, complex finish.”

The second release, Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release, is a 24 year old single malt that was initially matured in refill Bourbon barrels, then finished for 8 years in a single Sauternes barrique and bottled at a strength cask of 48.8% ABV.

Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release is described as having aromas of “citrus peels, ripe apricot, and pineapple, rounded off with beeswax and soft mineral notes.” The palate is “supple and rich, with freshly baked brioche, fragrant hints of lemon balm, and vanilla-spiced peach.” It finishes with “macadamia nut and delicate Alpine herbal liqueur notes, enlivened by preserved lemon and sea spray.”

Jura Fèis Ìle 2026 and Jura Fèis Ìle 40th Anniversary Release are available exclusively at the Jura distillery through May 31, 2026 for £130 and £320 for a 70 cL bottle, respectively.

Source: Jura.

Remus Bourbon has announced the launch of Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve, a limited edition bourbon that honors the former New York Yankees first baseman.

Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve features a medley of four high-rye bourbon mash bills in tribute to Gehrig’s No. 4 jersey, while the bourbon’s 109 proof (54.5% ABV) pays homage to the 100th anniversary of his 109 RBI season in 1926, the first of his 13 consecutive seasons with 100 or more RBIs.

A breakdown of the medley of four mash bills is below:

• Barreled in 2016 – 14% of medley – 44% rye mash
• Barreled in 2017 – 70% of medley – 49% rye mash
• Barreled in 2019 – 8% of medley – 99% rye mash
• Barreled in 2019 – 8% of medley – 36% rye mash

Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve is described as having aromas of “warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and hints of leather and clove.” The palate exhibits notes of “brown sugar, plum, and marshmallow.” It finishes with “baking spice, toasted cedar, and lingering cinnamon.”

Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve is limited to 9,665 bottles, one for each of the Gehrig’s plate appearances. It’s packaged in an ornate rectangular art deco-inspired glass bottle featuring an embossed baseball diamond-shape label and a baseball bat knob closure. The bottles are individually numbered and a QR code on the back label can be scanned to find out what Gehrig did in the game of that bottle’s plate appearance.

Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve will be available beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $129.99 per 750 mL bottle.

Source: Remus Bourbon.

Shortbarrel has announced a new batch of Sapsquatch, a limited-edition bourbon finished in maple syrup barrels and toasted barrels.

This latest batch of Sapsquatch is crafted from a blend of 20-30 barrels aged for 6-8 years and sourced from some of Kentucky and Indiana’s most respected distillers, including Jim Beam, Barton, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Green River, and MGP. The mashbills vary by blend, but are typically 70% corn/21% rye/9% malted barley and 75% corn/21% rye/4% malted barley – and all primarily Kentucky-grown grains.

To create Sapsquatch, Shortbarrel places the blended, non-chill filtered whiskey into stainless steel tanks, where it conditions for 6-8 weeks using sugar maple infusion spirals. From there, the whiskey transfers into Kelvin-toasted barrels that previously aged maple syrup, before being dumped and bottled at 110 proof (55% ABV).

Official tasting notes for Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Sugar Maple Finished Bourbon follow:

Nose: Toasted oak up front, driven by maple wood and charred sugar, followed by dense caramel, vanilla bean and layered baking spice with a subtle edge of ethanol lift.

Palate: Bold and structured with immediate oak presence, carrying into dark caramel, burnt sugar and seasoned wood. Maple shows as depth—not sweetness—supporting notes of clove, cinnamon and roasted nut with a firm, whiskey-forward backbone.

Finish: Long, drying, and oak-driven with lingering toasted wood, caramelized sugar and persistent spice. Maple integrates into the structure, leaving a warm, slightly tannic close with lasting heat.

Shortbarrel Sapsquatch Sugar Maple Finished Bourbon is available via shortbarrelbourbon.com and at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Source: Shortbarrel.

Wild Turkey has unveiled the Austin Nichols Archives Collection, a new limited-edition annual series commemorating some of the most coveted vintage bottles in Wild Turkey’s history.

The inaugural release in the series, Gold Foil Edition, is a 16 year old, non-chill filtered, 120 proof (60% ABV) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey blended from barrels sourced from Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson F, D, and E rickhouses.

Gold Foil Edition pays homage to the whiskeys that emerged during the so-called “Glut Era,” a period from the 1980s and 1990s when whiskey fell out of favor and inventories swelled. During that time, Jimmy Russell often blended older barrels into standard bottlings, creating bourbons with greater depth, intensity, and maturity. Some of these bottlings would come to be affectionately known by fans as “Cheesy Gold Foil.” Austin Nichols Archives Collection Gold Foil Edition was crafted with a longer aging process and higher proof, allowing Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell to recreate the profile of that era.

Gold Foil Edition is described as exhibiting notes of “Wild Turkey’s ‘signature funk’, dark fruit, and mature oak, alongside cherry cola, clove, dark honey, and an extremely long finish of peppery spice, brown sugar, and leather.”

Gold Foil Edition is presented in packaging inspired by vintage advertising and Wild Turkey’s origin story. The canister features an autumnal hunting scene that nods to how the brand got its name. Inside, gold foil lining and a label reminiscent of the original vintage complete the tribute. Each release in the series will also include a different hidden Easter egg for fans to discover.

Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition will be available in limited quantities in select markets beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $400.

Source: Wild Turkey.