Lean into summer with new releases from Buffalo Trace, Brown-Forman, 250th bottles
.jpg "Brown-Forman is launching el Jimador Tequila Spritz canned cocktails nationwide in July, with three popular flavors to appeal to those looking for great taste in a ready-to-drink format.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Brown-Forman will roll el Jimador Tequila Spritz canned cocktails nationwide in July.
- Buffalo Trace is launching a Bourbon Lemonade canned cocktail sold only at its distillery.
- Bulleit will release 1,776 bottles of 20-year-old cask-strength rye at $299 per 750mL.
Summer’s here and the time is right for ... drinking new things. Lots of Kentucky-based spirits companies are leaning in to woo new customers.
New releases from Brown-Forman and Buffalo Trace target the booming ready-to-drink category, while others are offering premium limited releases timed to the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Here are some of the new things to look for.
El Jimador Tequila Spirits
Louisville-based Brown-Forman is taking its el Jimador Tequila Spritz canned cocktails to shelves nationwide in July. The launch is a major expansion for the company’s ready-to-drink portfolio that already includes New Mix, Mexico’s #1 RTD cocktail.
What makes this one unique? It’s made with 100% Blanco tequila and delivers a tequila-forward take on a classic cocktail with natural fruit flavors.
It’s available in three flavors — lime, orange and mango, all 4.8% alcohol by volume, putting it just under 10 proof, with a suggested retail price of $10.99 for a four-pack of 12-ounce cans. That makes it a good affordable “sessionable” option for summer cocktails without the hassle of tending bar or even cutting up a lime.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Lemonade
Lemonade seems to be the hottest thing in drinks these days. Look no further than this: Buffalo Trace is launching a new Bourbon Lemonade Canned Cocktail, perfect for picnics or anytime, really. Made with bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery and real lemon juice, this marks the distillery’s summer option for the RTD category.
It’s 7% ABV or 14 proof, priced at $14.99 for a four-pack, available only in the distillery gift shop and included in complimentary tastings daily from July 4 to Sept. 7, so you can check them out before you buy.
Bulleit 20-Year-Old Rye
Bulleit is putting out a limited release of 1,776 bottles of Bulleit 20-Year-Old Rye, the brand’s oldest ever straight rye whiskey, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The whiskey was crafted by Nicole Austin, director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities at Diageo, according to the announcement. She led barrel selection of product distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and aged in Kentucky warehouse, and guided the blending process alongside the Bulleit team, choosing barrels that could carry 20 years of age.
According to the tasting notes, on the nose it’s seasoned oak, warm baking spice and dried fruit. On the palate, it’s caramelized sweetness, dark fruit and spice, with a long, layered finish that is unmistakably rye.
It’s cask-strength, 137 proof, priced at $299 for a 750mL bottle. Available beginning in July in limited quantities at the Bullet Distillery in Shelbyville and select cities nationwide. You can reserve a bottle for pickup at the Bulleit Distilling Company online at AnyRoad.
Knob Creek Blue Wax edition
Knob Creek Bourbon is offering Knob Creek 9-Year-Old: Independence Edition, a limited-edition expression of the brand’s iconic 9-year-old bourbon featuring a blue wax seal and red, white and blue label.
The bottle will join commemoratives from Maker’s Mark in a collection for America’s 250th anniversary.
It’s the same liquid, bottled at 100 proof, with notes of smooth vanilla, deep caramel and bold charred oak, available nationwide at $36.99 suggested retail price.
Maker’s Mark has released a special red, white and blue bottle that will support veteran farmers through the Farmer Veteran Coalition, a national nonprofit that helps U.S. veterans build careers in agriculture. The bottle, which contains their standard 90-proof bourbon, is on sale nationwide at select retailers with a suggested retail price of $28.99.
Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Bourbon
For America’s 250th birthday, Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey is releasing Red, White & Roost Double Oak Bourbon. It’s a single-barrel expression bottled at barrel strength, 111.8 proof, with a suggested retail price of $84.99. It will be available exclusively at the Whiskey Row tasting room at 624 W. Main St. in downtown Louisville, and online at shop.buzzardsroostwhiskey.com.
According to the tasting notes, it has a nose of vanilla creme brulee and malted caramel with tropical coconut and candied orange peel. On the palate, it’s rich vanilla icing layered with butterscotch and sweet orange zest.
Evan Williams Bourbon America250
Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has released several special commemorative America250 products including three special expressions, each featuring special packaging.
- Evan Williams Black Label, 86 proof, available in a 1.75L bottle for $24.99
- Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch, 90 proof, available in 1.75L bottle for $37.99 and 750mL for $23.99
- Evan Williams Single Barrel, 117.76 proof, a special higher-proof release with a limited selection of 250 barrels, for $39.99.
The brand also announced a new partnership with the non-profit Folds of Honor, and a $75,000 donation to provide educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and first responders.
Four Branches Bourbon Liberty Reserve
Four Branches Bourbon, the first spirits company founded by veterans representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, has released Liberty Reserve, a limited-edition commemorative bourbon. Only 1,776 individually numbered bottles will be available of the double oak finished 10-year Kentucky straight bourbon. Suggested retail price is $119.99, available nationwide.
It’s made with their four-grain distilled and finished in toasted oak barrels then bottled at 100 proof. According to the tasting notes, it has notes of dark caramel, honey, vanilla, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit and warm oak.
15 Stars Kentucke County
Whiskey brand 15 STARS has launching Kentucke County, a new brand, in two expressions, both in commemorative bottles for the 250th anniversary.
The Kentucke County 12-Year-Old American Whiskey and Kentucke County 6-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey labels have the same border used in a Virginia Land Warrant that early settlers used to claim ground in Kentucke County, the western frontier county that would evolve in the Kentucke District and Bourbon County.
Kentucke County 6-Year-Old is 90 proof and $37.99, with a nose of honeysuckle, banana, candied fruit, caramel, damp forest and seasoned oak. On the palate, it’s vanilla, apricot, golden raisin, cinnamon, old wood and leather with a finish of honey and caramel, maple syrup and tobacco.
Kentucke County 12-Year-Old is 90 proof, and $57.99, with a nose of oak, plum, vanilla extract, dark chocolate and nutmeg mellowed by pear, sweet cherry, herbal tea and honey. On the palate, it’s pear, cherry, apple, complemented by oak, cinnamon, pepper and caramel.
Both available online at barcart.15stars.com.
