New whiskey releases: Parker’s Heritage, flood relief and Indiana(!) bourbon
.png "New whiskey releases include a J. Mattingly 1845 bottle for Frankfort flood relief, the annual Parker’s Heritage release from Heaven Hill that raises money for ALS research and a 10-year Indiana grain-to-glass bourbon from Starlight Distillery.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Heaven Hill's 19th Parker’s Heritage release blends three mature mashbills.
- J. Mattingly 1845 donates $30 per bottle of Frankfort Rising to flood relief.
- Starlight debuts a 10-year Indiana bourbon aged in Napa red wine barrels.
The season of big bourbon releases is upon us, with special new bottles coming out left and right.
Some are annual releases, others are limited-time offerings.
Here’s what to know.
2025 Parker’s Heritage
Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown announced the 19th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection is a Kentucky Straight American Whiskey, blended from three mashbills: a 15-year-old wheated bourbon, an 11-year-old corn whiskey and a 12-year-old whiskey made from rye and malt, according to a news release.
This edition is bottled at barrel proof, 122.5 proof, non-chill filtered. With a suggested retail price of $179.99, the Parker’s Heritage should be available in limited quantities in September nationally and in select international markets.
“With each release of Parker’s Heritage Collection, we honor Parker Beam’s legacy by pushing the boundaries of American Whiskey,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Heaven Hill master distiller, in the release. “This 19th Edition is a celebration of innovation and craftsmanship, bringing together three mashbills and age statements to create a complex, bold whiskey that truly stands out. We’re proud that this series not only showcases our team’s blending expertise, but also continues to support ALS research in Parker’s memory.”
The late Heaven Hill master distiller Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 2010. Since 2013, proceeds from sales of the Parker’s Heritage Collection have raised more than $1.4 million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased.
J. Mattingly 1845 Frankfort Rising
Anyone who follows bourbon knows that Kentucky’s capital, Frankfort, was inundated by near-record floods in April. Unlike Buffalo Trace Distillery across the road, J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery was spared, and now the craft distiller is helping out.
On Aug. 14, the distillery is releasing a limited edition bottle, Frankfort Rising, to help raise money for local Franklin County residents still recovering from the damage.
“Seeing the devastation of the floodwaters here in our new hometown was just heartbreaking, and we wanted to do something to help,” said Susanna Westerfield, director of consumer experience, in a news release. “Through our partnership with the Franklin County Community Fund, we hope to raise at least $10,000 to help our local friends and neighbors recover from their horrific losses.”
It’s a 5-year-old, 112 proof bourbon finished with charred oak staves. According to the tasting notes, it has a graham cracker note on the palate, along with toasted oak and gentle rye spice, with a finish of baking spices, vanilla and nutty warmth.
It will be available at the distillery starting at 4 p.m. with an event open to the public including tastings.
Suggested retail price is $120 for a 750 mL, with $30 from each sale donated to the Franklin County Community Fund.
Starlight Distillery 10 Year
Starlight Distillery in Indiana has released its first 10-Year Bourbon. The whiskey is made from estate-grown grains distilled on Huber’s Orchard & Winery in a farm-to-glass process, according to a news release.
According to the tasting notes, the result has layered notes of dark caramel, charred oak, ripe orchard fruit and warm baking spice.
“This isn’t just another bourbon — it’s a reflection of our family’s legacy and the land we’ve farmed for over 180 years,” said Christian Huber, 7th-generation distiller, in the release. “It’s a moment of reverence in a glass. One we’ve waited ten years to share.”
Available in limited quantities beginning in July at Starlight Distiller in Borden, Ind. , with a suggested retail price of $250.
Castle & Key 6-Year-Old Small Batch
Castle & Key Distillery between Frankfort and Versailles has released a 6-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon that is already turning judges’ heads at whiskey competitions.
It’s 101 proof, with a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750mL bottle. It’s available at the distillery at 4445 McCracken Pike, at Castle & Key 502 retail store in Louisville and online at castleandkey.com.
At this year’s International Wine & Spirits American Competition, the release was one of nine bourbons to score 90 points or higher. The judging panel described it as having “inviting aromas of spun sugar and yello blossoms with hints of fresh acorn and honeyed sweetness. The palate is creamy and refined, unfolding with flavors of Mirabelle plum and cola nut. Lingering notes of warming cinnamon and brown sugar grace the grippy finish.”
It’s an extra-aged version of the 4-year-old expression released in 2022 that was the first bourbon distilled and released at the historic distillery, the former site of Old Taylor, in nearly 50 years.
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of graham cracker, butterscotch, red apple, honeysuckle and clove. On the palate, it’s molasses, golden raisin, goden apple, toffee, orange zest, praline and cinnamon, with a finish of shortbread, candied orange peel, cacao nib and white pepper.
“The Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon 6-Year-Old release is more than a milestone in age,” says Brett Connors, lead blender at Castle & Key Distillery. “It represents Castle & Key’s philosophy of building quality from the ground up and every drop of our spirits since day one has been made within the castle walls, from still to barrel to bottle. The 6-year bourbon reflects our commitment to consistency, flavor, and complexity.”
