Limited Whiskey Releases Winter 2025-2026
Limited Whiskey Releases Winter 2025-2026
While folks whisper and whine about millennial drinking habits and static sales, the whiskey churn-and-burn machine just keeps pumping out great releases. We’re seeing age statements return to bottles; we’re seeing higher age statements; we’re seeing a return to traditional styles of bourbon making; and we’re seeing smart experiments with grains and barrels. Santa can stuff my stocking with any of the 10 limited-release bottles mentioned below, and I’d be as happy as I was the morning he brought me Castle Grayskull.
There are some new names in the mix here as well as our tried-and-true companions. Don’t be afraid to dip your lips into something you’ve never tried. Not all bourbons are the same, not all ryes bite, and proof ain’t nothing but a number.
Note: The distilleries supplied some of these samples; the opinions are my own.
Knob Creek 21 Year Bourbon
100 Proof | $249.99
Knob Creek 21 Year Bourbon
Details: Well, this Knob Creek is finally old enough to drink itself. Eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe ransacked the Beam rickhouses and found these 21-year-old barrels in their prime, making this the oldest release to date from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Each barrel was hand-selected by Noe and his team for this limited release, and it’s meant to represent the pre-Prohibition style craftsmanship of the bourbon industry. Bottled at 100 proof, I’m kind of curious about what it was at cask strength, and I also would have loved to get a taste of that. But this is a great bottle, nonetheless.
Tasting Notes: If you’re not a fan of oak, then why are you drinking a 21-year-old bourbon? The nose is full-on oak and smoke with a hint of caramel apple and cherry notes. On the palate, I get burnt marshmallow, toffee and citrus, along with the ever-present oak that doesn’t dominate like you think it might. It’s quite tasty for being a well-aged bourbon. The finish is long, with some black pepper, raisin, baked cherry, and, of course, oak notes. Would I choose this over the 18-year Knob Creek? Probably not. But I’m glad there are options like this for those who love age.
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish
104.2 Proof | $99.99
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish
Details: This is the third release in Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s Distillery Reserve Series, which has given us some great finished gems this year. The Cathedral French Oak and Hokkaido Mizunara Oak were excellent whiskeys, and this latest one is no exception. It’s a blend of 12- and 13-year-old MGP bourbon that was finished for 28 months in Calvados apple brandy barrels from France — more specifically, the white chalk cliffs of Normandy. The 59-gallon casks imparted some delicious fruit notes on the bourbon, but still, the team at BBCo wasn’t satisfied. They then took the bourbon from the brandy barrels and put it into new, toasted American oak barrels for an additional four months. The result is this release, which quickly leaped into my top 10 pours of the year.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get bright green apple notes and a sweetness that reminds me of the white frosting on cinnamon rolls. On the palate, it’s a delightful symphony of roasted nuts, black pepper, rich caramel, campfire s’mores, and baked apples. The oak influence is subtle and rounds out the thirst-quenching bourbon. The finish isn’t too long, but it’s rewarding with notes of dried cherry and toffee. I could sip on this every day after dinner. Too bad the bottle is only 375ml; it’ll be gone by Friday.
New Riff Winter Whiskey
100 Proof | $59.99
New Riff Winter Whiskey
Details: Christmas has come early for New Riff fans with the re-release of Winter Whiskey, an award-winning bourbon that first debuted in 2020. Made with malted oats and chocolate malt, the bourbon was inspired by Master Distiller Brian Sprance’s brewing background and his love of oatmeal stouts. The mash bill consists of 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt, so there’s a lot going on here. On top of that, it’s Bottled-in-Bond this year and also non-chill filtered.
Tasting Notes: I’m not sure if it was the description that led me to this note, but I get some baking chocolate on the nose, along with stone fruits and glazed donuts. The palate has a wonderful holiday spice note — like clove and cranberry — followed by cashews, mild tobacco, and cinnamon. The finish takes me back to my college days of partaking in clove cigarettes and enjoying that sweet coating you’d get on your lips. Anyone got a light? I’m going to enjoy this bottle by the fire.
Archer Eland Suede Rye Whiskey
126 Proof | $84.99
Archer Eland Suede Rye Whiskey
Details: Wendy Peveich is a name you’ll likely be hearing more often in the rye whiskey realm. The former national brand ambassador of Penelope Bourbon, Peveich has chosen to follow her own path to create the Archer Eland brand. Her first four releases showcase small-batch blends of rye whiskey made at Middle West Spirits (www.middlewestspirits.com) in Columbus, Ohio, which is where Peveich resides. The name honors her mother, who also loves rye, and the grain used is a testament to Ohio’s rich agricultural terrain. The bottle is sleek, and the 7-year whiskey in the Suede expression is equally fabulous, spicy, and divine.
Tasting Notes: They say little girls are made of sugar and spice, and if that’s the case, Archer Eland Suede is the liquid embodiment of a little girl all grown up and ready to take on the world. This is my favorite of the brand’s first four releases, and it’s every bit sassy, inviting, and perfectly balanced. On the nose, I get a warm vanilla custard note with a hint of chocolate and sweet tobacco. The palate has the familiar black pepper and slight mint often found in rye, but it’s also got this delicious toffee and apple pie crust combo going on. I added just a few drops of water to my sample, and it opened up a bouquet of dark fruit, citrus, and baking spices all drizzled in caramel. The finish is warm and to the point, with a lasting note of cherry strudel.
291 Colorado Whiskey XIV Anniversary
131.6 Proof | $150
291 Colorado Whiskey XIV Anniversary
Details: In 2011, 291 Colorado Whiskey began staking out its territory in the American whiskey category and has been producing quality, award-winning craft spirits ever since. 291 Founder Michael Myers has helped put Colorado on the whiskey-makin’ map, and he bends to no trends or pressures. That’s what I’ve always admired about the brand, and now we have a barrel-proof 14th anniversary bottle to behold. The mash bill for this one is 61% malted rye and 39% corn, making this a rye whiskey that has been finished in Aspen wood staves.
Tasting Notes: This high proofer definitely does not drink its proof. The nose is enticing with hints of cinnamon-and-sugar toast and sweet oak. On first sip, I get the black pepper and heat from the rye, but then the corn smooths out the edges for a delightful mouthfeel and notes of citrus, toffee, and buttery cashews. That rye spice comes and goes, leaving some brown sugar and dried apricot on the long finish. I love a whiskey that makes me salivate, and this one does that and then some.
Wilderness Trail 6-Year Private Barrel Wheated Bourbon
116.1 Proof | $70
Wilderness Trail Wheated Bourbon
Details: This is big news for Wilderness Trail fans. The single-barrel expressions of all three recipes (wheated, high rye, and rye whiskey) will now become a permanent line for the brand and should be available across the country in early 2026. Bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered, and 6 years old, the sweet mash bourbon (and whiskey) has found its sweet spot, according to founders Dr. Pat Heist and Shane Baker. This high-wheated bourbon, in particular, is truly a treat for any wheat lovers. With a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% wheat, and 12% malted barley and a low barrel entry proof of 110, the bourbon is viscous, balanced, and has too many flavor nuances to list here. If you weren’t a fan before, I challenge you to try this and reevaluate your life.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get Kentucky rickhouse in the summer, with intriguing notes of oak, caramel cream, and black pepper. On first sip, I get immediate cinnamon and sugar, likely from the No. 4 barrel char, which then gives way to a familiar nuttiness and a fresh-baked pastry note. The finish is long and lingers with cinnamon apple and vanilla. After adding a few drops of water, I also detect more floral notes and honey.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series Bourbon
105 Proof | $129.99
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Specialty Barrel Series Bourbon
Details: Heaven Hill is doing some fun things with their whiskey, and they have the inventory for it. The second edition of their Grain to Glass series came out this fall, and with it they debuted the new GTG Specialty Barrel Series. So technically, there are two sets of new Grain to Glass releases out there, which include a standard rye bourbon, a wheated bourbon, and a rye whiskey. This new Barrel Series takes that same focus on local grains and farming partnerships and directs it toward the aging process — namely, the barrels. They took the special GTG distillate and aged it for 7 years in American chinquapin oak barrels. The results are three expressions (rye bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye) that showcase the power of this wood on the whiskey.
Tasting Notes: I was fortunate to sample all three in the series, and I chose the standard rye bourbon in particular because it was my favorite. And that surprised me given my love of wheated bourbons. At 105 proof (and a low barrel entry proof of 107), two things jumped out at me before it touched my lips. First, the viscosity is incredible — thick and creamy. I could swirl it around in my glass for hours. And second, the deep, rich, amber tint of the bourbon. Compared to the standard GTG rye bourbon, which is the same age, this is both thicker and darker. On the nose, I get toasted nuts, graham cracker, and just a hint of campfire. The palate jumps with citrus, honey, vanilla, and a caramel drizzle. The oak is subtle in taste, but I’m loving the viscosity. The finish lingers with notes of apricot, butterscotch, and just a dash of black pepper.
Woodinville 9 Year Bourbon
100 Proof | $129.99
Details: It’s hard to believe Washington’s Woodinville Whiskey has been around 15 years now, but here they are with a 9-year bourbon, their oldest release to date, to celebrate the milestone. Of course, fans of the brand probably already have their bottle since it launched this fall, but it’s been one of my go-to sippers lately, so I thought I would let others in on the secret. This mash bill differs from their flagship brand with 55% corn, 35 rye, and 10% malted barley, and the barrels, made by ISC, are 24-month open-air seasoned. Next year, Head Distiller Brett Carlile promises to release a 10-year version of this, so stay tuned.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, I get freshly toasted Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart and just a hint of baked cherry. On first sip, I get buttercream frosting, dried cranberry, and milk chocolate-covered almonds. The bourbon has definitely benefited from the time in the barrel and has some pleasant surprises the longer it sits in my glass. The finish closes out with cinnamon and simple syrup. My only curiosity would be to try this at a higher proof, but I trust the team at Woodinville gave us what they deemed was best for the bottle.
Barrell Toasted Dovetail Whiskey
123.8 Proof | $199.99
Barrell Toasted Dovetail Whiskey
Details: If you had a nickel for every barrel this whiskey touched, you’d have a quarter! It took five separate barrels to make this limited Toasted Dovetail, which is part of Barrell’s new Black Label Series. Dovetail is a blend of Tennessee (likely Dickel) and Indiana (likely MGP) whiskey that was then finished in California cabernet, port, and rum casks. And after all of that fraternizing, the whiskey went into another toasted American oak barrel for 33 months to help put an exclamation point on all these fabulous flavors. There’s certainly a lot of finishing going on with this one, but for those rabid Dovetail fans, I have a feeling they’re going to be overjoyed with this new release.
Tasting Notes: The whiskey wafts with green apple and honey notes. On the palate, I’m surprised by how well all these flavors come together for a light, clean mouthfeel and delicate notes of caramel apple, black pepper, and a mouthwatering sugary note I can only describe as Honeycomb cereal before it gets soggy. There’s a nice pinch of cinnamon in there, too. The finish is full of baking spices and brown sugar. I’ll bet you that quarter you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by this one.
Jackson Purchase Bourbon
117.8 Proof | $59.95
Details: While this isn’t a limited edition per se, it is only available in Kentucky, and even then, it’s still hard to find. Led by Master Distiller Craig Beam (formerly of Heaven Hill) and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard (formerly of Willett), Jackson Purchase Distillery is quietly making a name for itself in Western Kentucky. There aren’t too many distilleries in the far western stretches of Bourbon Country, but perhaps there should be, because the climate and the experience of these two industry workhorses have created exceptional full proof bourbon at just 4 years old.
Tasting Notes: If I had blind tasted this one, I would have guessed it was at least 6 or 7 years old by the rich flavors and darker color of the whiskey. On the nose, I get honeysuckle, molasses, and a hint of oak. The palate is rife with baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as baked cherries, graham cracker, and brown sugar. There’s just a touch of oak lingering in the back. And on the finish, I get more of the cinnamon and cherry coming out, as well as some lavender. I can’t wait to see what they put out next.