Mother’s Day bourbon gift guide: New releases from Kentucky, other distillers
.png "New releases from A. Smith Bowman, Four Roses and Starlight Distillery might make great presents for Mother’s Day, even if some aren’t available until after the May 10.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Four Roses Mother's Day private barrel is 14-year OBSQ bottled at 115.78 proof for $139.
- Blue Run debuts Blueprint Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 105 proof, $69.99.
- A. Smith Bowman runs an online lottery for an 11-year Abraham Bowman rye priced at $79.99.
When it comes to Mother’s Day, don’t limit your gifting to flowers and brunch.
Plenty of moms, especially in Kentucky, enjoy a good whiskey.
Here are some new releases to look out for just in time (or maybe a little late) for Mother’s Day on May 10.
Four Roses Mother’s Day Private Barrel
If Mom like flowers AND bourbon, this release is for you. For Mother’s Day, Kentucky distillery Four Roses is releasing a special private barrel selection, available exclusively at the distillery in Lawrenceburg.
The Mother’s Day Private Barrel Selection is a 14-year-old OBSQ recipe, bottled at 115.78 proof. It has a nose of crisp oak, sweet vanilla and candied fruit. On the palate, it’s bright ripe berries, honey and caramel, with a long, rich finish of cherry and creamy barrel tones, according to the tasting notes.
These bottles are available at the Four Roses Distillery gift shop starting on May 6, limited to two bottles per person, at $139 each.
And don’t worry, in June, Four Roses will have a Father’s Day selection too. It’s a 14-year OBSV recipe, bottled at 128.71 proof. According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of delicate apricot and fruit. On the palate, it’s bright pear and rich barrel tones, with a rye spice, cinnamon, vanilla and cocoa finish. Available June 20, also $139, limit two bottles per person.
Blue Run Blueprint Series
Blue Run is introducing the first release in a new series, Blueprint.
Blended by Shaylyn Gammon, Blue Run Spirits’ head of whiskey, this 105-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a combination of two unique mashbills: one wheated, the other an experimental mash known as “Founders’ Mash.”
“When crafting Blue Run releases, I think about the qualities bourbon enthusiasts expect, while also considering how we invite new consumers into the category,” said Gammon in a news release. “With the Blueprint Series, the goal was to create a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that can serve as a blueprint for discovery—something approachable and soft, yet layered enough to inspire continued exploration.”
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of soft florals and subtle orchard fruit. On the palate, it’s warm baking spice, juicy apple and cinnamon with a finish of toasted oak and warm spice and a hint of dry wood heat.
The 105-proof whiskey has a suggested retail price of $69.99 and is available in fine spirits stores nationally.
Chicken Cock Old Glory Kentucky Straight Rye
Got a patriotic mom? Chicken Cock Whiskey is launching a special release to honor America’s 250th Anniversary.
It’s 70% Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey with 30% Laird’s Apple Brandy, both aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof.
The result has a nose of bright orchard fruit, ginger and toasted oak. On the palate, it’s honey, clove, pear and baked red apple with a lingering finish of cracked coriander, red apple skin, honey and a touch of mint.
The suggested retail price is $64.99, available nationwide.
A. Smith Bowman Limited Edition Rye
Sazerac’s Virginia distillery, A. Smith Bowman, is releasing a limited-edition rye whiskey for the first time in 16 years.
This one would make a great late Mother’s Day present, if you’re lucky enough to win one: It will be available through a nationwide online lottery through noon on May 11, but you must be able to purchase your bottle in person at the gift shop in Fredericksburg between May 13 and May 31. The drawing will be held May 12.
You can enter asmithbowman.com/abraham-rye-lottery-2026.
This is the Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Collection Special Release #26, aged for 11 years in the distillery’s Warehouse A, which has the coolest temperatures. It’s bottled at 110 proof and priced at $79.99.
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of maple syrup layered with hints of copper and fresh spring aromatics. On the palate, it’s vanilla, apricot and bright orange zest, with earthy undertones. The finish is spice-forward, with black pepper and a hint of mint.
Starlight Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
Another one that might make a great late present: Starlight Distillery in Indiana is releasing its newest Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, curated by Dana Huber.
This limited edition small-batch was made with 85% of the grains grown on the family’s estate.
Huber selected just 10 barrels for the final blend, which has a fruit-forward nose. On the palette, it’s tannins, vanilla and spice with stone fruit.
It’s available online at starlightdistillery.com and at the distillery, and at select retailers for about $54.99.
