New Bourbon Releases News for May 9, 2026

14 New Bourbon (and other American Whiskey) Releases To Try!

We’ve got a whole lot of new releases in this week’s New Bourbon Releases News!

Contents

Little Book — Preservation — A. Smith Bowman — Starlight — Four Branches — Chicken Cock — 15 STARS — Stitzel-Weller — Jack Daniels — Jeptha Creed — New Riff — Maker’s Mark — Kings County

New Bourbon Releases News For May 9, 2026

But First, Here’s what’s new on BourbonObsessed.com!

Check out our latest reviews:

• High West Bourye 2026 Review – The 2026 High West Bourye arrives with an elevated 101 proof and a blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskeys aged between 10 and 19 years. This national limited release continues the tradition of the jackalope with a complex, high-age statement profile. Read our full review
  
• HK Young Wheated Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon Review – HK Young Wheated Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon is a 7-year, 122.2-proof wheated bourbon finished in custom toasted barrels. Read Craig & Cynthia’s full review!

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New Bourbon Releases News For May 9, 2026

New Bourbon Releases

Little Book Chapter 10 “All The Wiser”

The James B. Beam Distilling Co. has unveiled Little Book Chapter 10 “All The Wiser”, the 10th chapter of Freddie Noe’s annual limited release series. After years of chasing precision and “perfect” blends, Freddie shifted his philosophy for this release. “All The Wiser” reflects a more intuitive approach, one that embraces the unpredictability of blending and allows the whiskey itself to lead. The blend is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 122.6 proof with a suggested price of $159.99.

These are the component whiskeys:

• 14-year Basil Hayden Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 11-year Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 10-year Booker’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 9-year Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 9-year Baker’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 4-year Jim Beam Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in sherry and toasted bourbon casks

beamdistilling.com/littlebook

Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon 2026

Preservation Distillery has announced the 2026 release of Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon, created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Very Olde St. Nick brand. According to Master of Maturation and General Manager Kyle Lloyd, the release was developed through months of sampling and exploration of cask types within the distillery’s warehouse.

The 2026 Immaculata is a blend of an 8-year Preservation Wheated Pot Distilled Bourbon barrel, a 10-year-old High Rye Kentucky Bourbon barrel, and a more traditional 19-year Kentucky Bourbon barrel. The barrels used for the release were matured between 10 and 19 years within Preservation Distillery’s Bardstown warehouse microclimate. The bourbon is unfiltered. 118.2 proof. Price unavailable.

The release will take place at 9:30am at Preservation Distillery on Saturday, May 16. Preservation Distillery will also offer Launch Day Release tastings with Master of Maturation and General Manager Kyle Lloyd three times throughout the day on May 16. Tickets are available on the brand website. Preservationdistillery.com

Abraham Bowman Special Release #26 Rye Whiskey

A. Smith Bowman Distillery has announced the release of Abraham Bowman Special Release #26 Rye Whiskey, an American rye whiskey inspired by the Distillery’s inaugural 2010 Abraham Bowman Limited Edition release. Distilled in 2015, the whiskey explores extended aging and elevated proof, with barrels aged for 11 years in the Distillery’s Warehouse A, which offers cooler temperatures and a slower aging process.

Bottled at 110 proof, the release continues the Distillery’s experimentation with how higher proofs influence flavor intensity, structure, and balance in rye whiskey. According to A. Smith Bowman Distillery, the whiskey was bottled after extensive proof testing to determine the final profile. Each 750mL bottle will have a suggested retail price of $79.99.

Abraham Bowman Special Release #26 Rye Whiskey will be available through an online lottery beginning May 4 at noon EST and ending May 11 at noon EST. Winners will be selected on May 12 and must purchase bottles in person at the A. Smith Bowman gift shop between May 13 and May 31. Limited quantities will also be distributed through Sazerac’s U.S. distributor network to select retailers, bars, and restaurants. The lottery entry form is available here: asmithbowman.com/abraham-rye-lottery-2026/.

Starlight Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Starlight Distillery has announced the release of its newest Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, a limited small-batch bourbon curated by Dana Huber. The release was developed over seven years of work studying mash bills, barrel types, cooperages, and production methods at the distillery.

More than 85% of the grains used in the bourbon were grown on the Huber family estate as part of Starlight Distillery’s farm-to-glass approach. During a six-month selection period, Dana Huber personally evaluated and selected ten barrels for the final blend.

The bourbon is bottled at 100 proof. Pricing was not available at the time of publication. The release will be available in limited quantities through the distillery website, at the distillery in Borden, Indiana, and at select retailers beginning in summer 2026. starlightdistillery.com

Four Branches Founders Reserve

Four Branches Bourbon has announced the release of Founders Reserve, a four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon distilled as a single four-grain distillate and aged a minimum of five years in Bardstown, Kentucky. Founders Reserve will be their new flagship expression, replacing Founders Blend.

The bourbon uses a mash bill of 60% corn, 26% rye, 10% wheat, and 4% malted barley. According to Four Branches, the release was developed by Master Distiller Gregg Snyder to deliver a flavor profile similar to the brand’s earlier Founders Blend. In addition, they say the 5+ year age statement is intended to deliver a more consistent barrel character. Founders Reserve is bottled at 96 proof and carries a suggested retail price of $84.99. fourbranches.com

Editor’s note: The initial Four Branches release was their Founders Blend, which was also a four grain bourbon. However it achieved that by blending two three grain mash bills, rather than by using a single mash bill.

Chicken Cock Old Glory Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Blended With Laird’s Apple Brandy

Chicken Cock Whiskey has announced the release of Old Glory Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Blended With Laird’s Apple Brandy, a limited-time release created in collaboration with Laird & Company in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

The blend combines 70% Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey with 30% Laird’s Apple Brandy, with both components aged a minimum of four years. The release is bottled at 100 proof and will have a suggested retail price of $64.99. According to Chicken Cock Whiskey, the release is limited to 12,000 bottles. Old Glory will be available nationally in Chicken Cock’s signature honeycomb glass bottle featuring both “The Famous Old Brand” rooster emblem and a bald eagle on the label. chickencockwhiskey.com

Editor’s note: According to the brand, Old Glory was “Created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, it bridges tradition and modern drinking culture, balancing heritage, character, and approachability.” While Chicken Cock Whiskey traces its heritage back to 1856 in Paris, KY, Laird & Company was founded in 1780 and is America’s oldest family-owned distillery.

Kentucke County 12 Year-Old American Whiskey & 6 Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey By 15 STARS

15 STARS Fine-Aged Bourbon has announced the release of Kentucke County by 15 STARS, a limited-edition line created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The name references Kentucke County, the original Virginia frontier county established in 1776 that would later evolve into the Kentucke District, within which Bourbon County was created. The new line includes two expressions presented in commemorative bottles: Kentucke County 12 Year-Old American Whiskey and Kentucke County 6 Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Kentucke County 12 Year-Old American Whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon and American whiskey distilled from a bourbon mash bill and aged seven years in second-use oak before an additional five years in new charred oak. It is bottled at 90 proof with a suggested retail price of $57.99.

Kentucke County 6 Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a blend of two Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys, each aged a minimum of six years. It is bottled at 90 proof with a suggested retail price of $37.99.

15stars.com

Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon

Stitzel-Weller Distillery has announced the release of Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey, the second expression in the Stitzel Reserve collection. Distilled in 1992 and aged on-site at Stitzel-Weller Distillery for more than three decades, the bourbon comes from 13 barrels and yielded just 176 bottles.

The bourbon is bottled at 163.2 proof / 81.6% ABV and became available exclusively at Stitzel-Weller Distillery beginning April 30, 2026. The suggested retail price is $3,000 per 750mL bottle, with a limit of one bottle per person. Consumers may also purchase a tasting experience at the Garden & Gun Club for $350 per person. Read all the details in the full Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon press release.

Editor’s note: Although not specifically stated in the press release, for bourbons such as this, only one bottle per day is generally available at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery. So, if you are interested in purchasing it, be sure to check with them before you go.

Jack Daniel’s Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel’s has announced the release of Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey, a limited collaboration with the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team featuring custom packaging inspired by the HALO structure of McLaren’s Formula 1 race car.

The HALO structure has been reimagined as the vessel for a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and features a hand-finished cork and custom medallions. Materials integrated into the packaging, including alloy metal, micro-suede, and carbon fibre print, were inspired by materials McLaren uses to construct its Formula 1 cars.

The whiskey uses Jack Daniel’s signature grain bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% malted barley and was aged in handcrafted new American white oak barrels built from staves aged in the open air for a prolonged period prior to barrel toasting. Halo MK1 is bottled at 117.4 proof and carries a suggested retail price of $599.99 for a 1L bottle.

According to Jack Daniel’s, the release is the most premium and limited global release in the brand’s history and is available now in select global markets in very limited quantities. jackdaniels.com

Jeptha Creed Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Jeptha Creed Distillery has announced the upcoming release of Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon, made with an exclusive heirloom blue corn varietal developed, planted, and harvested on the distillery’s farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The proprietary corn varietal was developed by Bruce Nethery, whose family, mother-daughter duo, Joyce and Autumn Nethery owns and operates Jeptha Creed Distillery.

Bruce’s Blue is bottled at 100 proof and uses a mash bill of 75% Bruce’s Blue corn, 20% malted rye, and 5% malted barley. According to Jeptha Creed, the release reflects the distillery’s continued focus on heirloom grains and farm-grown ingredients.

Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will carry a suggested retail price of $59.99 and will be available soon in 750mL bottles at the distillery visitor center and select Kentucky retailers. jepthacreed.com

New Riff 2026 Single Malt Whiskey

New Riff Distilling has announced the upcoming release of New Riff 2026 Single Malt Whiskey, the fourth iteration of the distillery’s Single Malt Whiskey program. The release brings together six distinct mashbills aged across five cask types. For the first time, the 2026 release introduces Chevallier, an 1800s British heirloom barley variety, into the blend. The mashbill components include:

• 11.7% Marris Otter – A classic English ale malt.
• 14.1% Golden Promise – A legendary 1960s vintage British malt.
• 27.7% Barleywine-Style – A barleywine-inspired mashbill built from two-row malted barley, toasted crystal malts, and a touch of roasted chocolate malt.
• 16.5% Belgian Quadrupel – A Belgian Quadrupel inspired mashbill featuring Special B and CaraBelge malts.
• 18% Scottish Peated Malted Barley – A peated malt whiskey made with Scottish peated barley.
• 12% Chevallier – 1800s British heirloom barley variety.

The whiskey was aged in new charred oak, used bourbon barrels, de-charred and toasted used bourbon barrels, Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. It is bottled at 111.7 proof, aged at least 7 years, and carries a suggested retail price of $69.99.

New Riff 2026 Single Malt Whiskey will go on sale Friday, May 15 at 11AM EST at the New Riff Gift Shop, online for shipping and pickup, and at select retailers nationwide. newriffdistilling.com

For all my Los Angeles friends:

Maker’s Mark Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum Private Selection

Maker’s Mark has announced the release of Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum, a custom Private Selection bourbon created in collaboration with Olympic gold medalist and WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum. The release was developed through Maker’s Mark’s Private Selection program at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery.

Bottled at 111.3 proof, Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum became available beginning May 7 at select retailers in Los Angeles. Pricing was not available at the time of publication.

According to Maker’s Mark, the first barrel has been donated to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to support charitable fundraising efforts for equipment and resources for Los Angeles firefighters. makersmark.com/kelseyplum

Kings County Bottled-in-Bond Empire Rye

Kings County Distillery has announced the release of Kings County Bottled-in-Bond Empire Rye, described by the distillery as its oldest rye whiskey release to date and the first of three planned “black label” releases for 2026, a series which represents the most rarified (sic) 1% of Kings County’s inventory.

According to Kings County, the whiskey is a farm-to-flask Empire Rye made with rye grown on the east side of the Hudson Valley, distilled in Brooklyn, and matured in the distillery’s own warehouses. The release is a 7-year single barrel rye whiskey made from:

• 80% New York rye
• 20% Golden Promise UK barley
• Single barrel
• 7 years, 176 days old
• 110 entry proof
• 124.9 proof at maturity
• Bottled at 100 proof / 50% ABV

Kings County states that the release meets the standards required for both Bottled-in-Bond and Empire Rye designations. Bottles will be available beginning May 16 at The Gatehouses in New York City, with an online release scheduled for May 18 at 2pm EST. $150 for 750 mL. kingscountydistillery.com

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Want to learn about some more whiskeys? Then check out our New Bourbon Releases News for May 24, 2026!

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