New Kentucky bourbon (and one rye whisky) special releases to chase this spring
.jpg "There are lots of new whiskeys, including a few rare “unicorn” bottles to hunt for this spring, including releases from Elijah Craig, Booker’s and Old Forester.")
It’s spring, and new bourbons have sprung.
Whether it’s an established distillery or an up-and-coming label, there are tasty options for you to try, including one that is a first.
Here are some new whiskeys to look for on shelves in Kentucky.
Booker’s “Barry’s Batch”
Named in honor of Barry Berish, the former Beam Chairman and CEO who died last year, “Barry’s Batch” is made of barrels from four production dates that were aged in five different warehouses. The age of the batch is 7 years, 2 months, and 4 days.
The final result is 125.7 proof with a suggested retail price of $99.99.
The inspiration for the bourbon was a Beam party in 1995, Fred Noe, Beam master distiller, said in a statement:
“We hit a big milestone: Our family had been making whiskey for over 200 years. It was high time for some festivities, particularly after the rough go of it bourbon had in the ‘80s.
“Barry took the opportunity to throw a party bigger than any we’d ever had, bringing people from around the world for food, drinks, and a good time. All day, Barry brought Beam pride to everyone in the crowd. He stood front and center on stage from morning to night, his energy never flagging, highlighting what we’d accomplished and drumming up excitement for all we were about to achieve.
“He hosted the main event of the afternoon, where we invited anyone and everyone named “Jim Beam” to come on over and join the leaders on stage. He proclaimed their names louder than anyone else, proud to be honoring the name above the door.
“I can still see him, surrounded by dozens of those Jims, beaming. If it weren’t for Barry, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We’re more than grateful for everything he did and everything he was: a real good guy, and truly one of a kind. So, here’s to you Barry, you’ll always be in our hearts.”
According to the tasting notes, “Barry’s Batch” has a nose that is warm and welcoming, with hints of vanilla and a touch of sweetness. According to Noe, “The balanced finish was smooth and left me wanting more — it’s just that good!”
Elijah Craig golf bottles
Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig is getting into golf sponsorship in a big way with a limited-edition Elijah Craig Small Batch expression to commemorate the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina next month. It’s 94 proof, with a suggested retail price of $36.99, and began shipping in March.
If you’re going to be there, look for a special speakeasy bar.
Elijah Craig has paired with PGA Tour professionals, too, including Max Homa, who has released a special barrel pick, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. It’s 126.6 proof, with less than 200 bottles available. Sign up at elijahcraig.com for a chance to purchase.
Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon
Louisville distiller Michter’s is releasing Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon in April. The 2025 release will have a suggested retail price of $195 for a 750ml bottle in the U.S. It’s 94.4 proof.
Michter’s master distiller Dan McKee and Michter’s master of maturation Andrea Wilson regularly taste older barrels as they assess the maturation of their stocks.
“It is such an exciting time when we are reviewing barrels for consideration for this release. This year’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is again overaged beyond 10 years,” said Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “It opens with a very inviting nose and draws you in like a good movie with its character development and complexity with the joy of a great story it has to share and leaving you satisfied through to the finish.”
“It has remarkable body and character,” McKee said in a news release. “The richness and complexity of this whiskey continues to provide such a robust experience that is amazingly flavorful for a bourbon that isn’t north of 100 proof.”
Kentucky Senator: John Edwards
Kentucky Senator Bourbon released its sixth small batch of Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey: The John Edwards Release. It’s named for John Edwards, Kentucky’s second-ever U.S. Senator and a resident of Bourbon County.
It’s aged for 7 1/2 years and bottled at the 107 proof. An increase in production means about 2,000 bottles of this limited-edition Bourbon will be available, with a suggested retail price of $119.99.
You can find it at select Kentucky retailers, bars and restaurants and at BourbonOutfitter.com. A limited quantity of this release will also be featured at the world-renowned Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., and its neighboring spirits shop, Premier Drams.
Liquor Barn and Justins’ House of Bourbon will each feature a single barrel private selection of the release as well.
Old Forester 117 Bottled in Bond Rye
Old Forester has released its latest expression in the 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye, the first bottled in bond rye whisky from Old Forester.
The 1897 Bottled in Bond Act required that each bottling be composed of barrels filled during a single distillation season. This small batch rye whisky reflects the unique flavor of the unusually cool and wet spring of 2015, according to the news release.
It has a nose of sweet honeysuckle and candied lemon with hints of ginger root and thick molasses. On the palate, it’s spice followed by charred oak, freshly cracked pepper and cooked pear with a finish that is quick and dry with notes of bright citrus, lemongrass and coriander.
The 117 Series Bottled in Bond Rye is bottled at 100 proof, with a suggested retail price for the 375 ml bottle of $64.99.
“This 117 Series release is unique because it holds a tie to our 1897 Bottled in Bond, our tribute to the Bottled in Bond Act,” said Old Forester assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo. “This release is a first for Old Forester, and stays true to our historical promise of quality, consistency and balance.”
Old Forester 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye is available for shipping (to D.C., Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Dakota only) at shop.oldforester.com. The product is also available at select Kentucky retailers.
Club Blue Bourbon
After the University of Kentucky Wildcats’ loss in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA basketball tournament, UK fans may be looking for something to drown their sorrows and toast the first season under Coach Mark Pope.
In steps a new 108-proof bourbon: Club Blue Blue Bourbon from Bespoken Spirits in Lexington.
Named for Club Blue, a collective of UK fans dedicated to raising funds for student athletes, it has notes of vanilla cookie, brown sugar, spiced chocolate and herbed butter. Suggested retail price is $99.99.
There’s also a Club Blue White Bourbon, suggested retail price of $39.99, that’s a Kentucky high-rye barrel-aged bourbon whiskey, finished with twice-toasted oak staves for richness and flavor.
Available at Liquor Barn across Kentucky, online at ClubBlueNIL.com, and in select bars and restaurants in the Lexington area.
Bespoken Spirits is a rapid-aging distiller in Greyline Station that recently joined the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
