American Whiskey Report May 2026
Summer is here, and that means it’s highball season! Whether you're feeling lazy or just want to try something new, there’s a new Canada Dry ginger ale with strawberry fruit splash that is FABULOUS with a bold whiskey. Pour yourself one and head out to the porch. And now on to the American whiskey news you can use!
Product Releases
Blue Note Wheated Bourbon
Blue Note has launched a small batch Wheated Bourbon blend with a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% wheat, and 9% barley, bottled at 101 proof.
Widow Jane has released Tequila Ocho Cask Finish Bourbon.
Jack Daniel’s has released Special Release Small Batch Rye, a series of five batches of barrel proof Tennessee Rye Whiskeys matured in the Coy Hill, Boiler Hill, and Fire Brigade Fields rickhouses, as well as Jack Daniel’s Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey.
Four Roses has released single barrel Bourbons aged 7-9 years and bottled at 100 proof of recipes OESQ, OESF, and OBSK.
Michter’s Distillery has released its US*1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash Kentucky Whiskey for the first time.
Maker’s Mark has released the second bottling of its Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey with a mash bill of 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat and 11% malted barley as well as a red, white, and blue wax dipped bottle of Maker’s Mark that will support veteran farmers through the Farmer Veteran Coalition.
A. Smith Bowman has released a limited-edition Rye Whiskey for the first time in 16 years.
Pursuit Double Oaked Rye
Pursuit Spirits has released the 2026 Whiskey Row Series Private Selection as well as Barrel #11CF-A-06-TB, a double oaked rye.
Blue Run Spirits has released Blue Run Blueprint Series as its new flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as well as an Indiana-Only, Limited-Edition Bourbon in partnership with Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Whistle Pig is releasing Declaration Wheat Whiskey, made and aged in the USA.
Jeptha Creed has released Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Koopers has released a 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey with a 100% rye mash bill that matured for nine years in a previously used Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel.
Wenzel Distillery has released a sherry finished Bourbon.
Green River has released honey finished Bourbon Whiskey.
15 Stars has released Kentucke County 12 Year-Old American Whiskey and Kentucke County 6 Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Gold Foil
Wild Turkey has released the Austin Nichols Archives Collection starting with Gold Foil Edition, which is a 16-year-old, non-chill filtered 120 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
New Riff has released its 2026 batch of American Single Malt Whiskey.
Preservation Distillery has released Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata, a 118.2 proof Kentucky Bourbon aged a minimum of 8.5 years.
Peg Leg Porker Spirits has released The Spirit of America Bourbon in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary.
Chattanooga Whiskey has released Bottled in Bond Vintage: Spring 2022, a blend of two Bourbon mashbills.
Town Branch has released an age-stated wheated Bourbon at 6 years old and 99 proof that is not chill filtered with a mash bill of 70% corn, 22% wheat, and 8% malted barley.
The Crimson Cask bourbon
Filmland Spirits has released Crimson Cask, a Kentucky-exclusive release of 90 proof Kentucky Bourbon with a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted Barley.
Copperworks has released Scotch Cask American Single Malt Whiskey as a club-only release.
Sespe Creek Distillery has released Warbringer “Cowboy” Edition Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon.
Evan Williams Bourbon has released three America250 Commemorative Releases including Evan Williams Black Label (86 proof), Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch (90 proof), and Evan Williams Single Barrel (117.76 proof).
Alexis Ortega crowned 2026 World Class US Bartender of the Year
People News
Alexis Ortega of Philadelphia, PA has been named the 2026 World Class U.S. Bartender of the Year by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Presents World Class Sponsored by DIAGEO.
Thomas Bard of The Bard Distillery has been appointed President of the Board of the American Craft Spirits Association.
Other News
Hard Truth On The Rocks
Hard Truth Distillery has kicked off its summer music festival season with a May 9 concert and mizunara-finished sweet mash wheated Bourbon. Events will continue throughout the summer and will include band competitions and a barbecue festival.
Buffalo Trace Distillery has opened the John G. Carlisle Cafe, a permanent restaurant on the distillery grounds.
The USDA has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council $900K to expand export opportunities for U.S. distillers, which seems like a grotesque waste of resources in the midst of a trade war.
“For generations, Kentucky and Scotland have been close partners in crafting the world’s most sought‑after whiskies. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association applauds President Trump’s decision to remove tariffs and restrictions on Scotch whisky. This action restores reciprocal, tariff-free trade between our historic spirits and is especially important for Kentucky, as Scotch distillers have long been the largest export market for Kentucky’s used Bourbon barrels. Kentucky Bourbon is a cornerstone of our state’s economy, contributing over $10.6 billion annually and supporting nearly 24,000 jobs across the Commonwealth. While Kentucky Bourbon continues to face its fair share of challenges, this development is welcome news for our signature industry’s ongoing efforts to share America’s only native spirit with enthusiasts around the world.” — Eric Gregory, Kentucky Distillers' Association President
Copperworks Distillery’s Kenmore outpost will open Copperworks Tavern and Whiskey Garden and Ember BBQ Restaurant.
Catoctin Creek Distillery will have a grand reopening on July 1, 2026 to celebrate a tasting room refresh and new expanded hours and cocktail menu.
Bonus Cocktail Recipes
Skrewball Strawberry Cold Foam PB&J Espresso Shooters By Amanda Hernandez
Skrewball Strawberry Cold Foam PB&J Espresso Shooters
3 oz Skrewball Whiskey
3 oz Kahlúa
3 oz espresso
Strawberry cold foam*
4 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tbsp strawberry puree
Add Skrewball Whiskey, Kahlúa and freshly brewed espresso into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled and well combined. Strain evenly into shooter glasses. Top each shooter with the strawberry cold foam and serve immediately.
*Strawberry cold foam:
4 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 tbsp strawberry puree
Combine heavy cream and strawberry puree. Froth until creamy using a handheld frother, or put in a jar with a lid and shake vigorously for a minute.
Skrewball Peanut Butter Banana (PBB) Float
Skrewball Peanut Butter Banana (PBB) Float
1.5 oz Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
2 scoops banana ice cream
Top with root beer
Garnish with caramelized banana slices
Add two scoops of banana ice cream to a float glass or tall cocktail glass. Pour in 1.5 oz of Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. Slowly top with root beer until frothy and combined. Optional garnish: Sprinkle banana slices with sugar and caramelize using a kitchen torch, or briefly cook in a non-stick pan over medium heat until golden. Skewer, add to the glass and serve immediately.