Wildcask Bourbon 2026 Release: University of Kentucky’s Second Annual Expression

Press Release – Wildcask Bourbon 2026

Wildcask Bourbon 2026 release is bottled and ready to hit shelves

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 16, 2026) — Following its inaugural release in 2025, Wildcask Bourbon has returned with a new release to be sampled and enjoyed with friends this spring.

UK’s First and Only Bourbon Brand

Students in the University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits spent the entire academic year developing the new release of UK’s first and only bourbon brand in the Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course. With the second release, students were able to carry over elements they enjoyed about the first and put a new spin on the spirit.

A Four-Source Kentucky Blend

The Wildcask Bourbon 2026 release has an entirely different blend from the first edition, from four sources: 24% James B. Beam Distilling Co. eight-year (mash bill 78/13/0/9), 24% Four Roses eight-year (mash bill 60/35/0/5), 39% Bardstown Bourbon Co. six-year (mash bill 53/0/39/8) and 13% Bardstown Bourbon Co. five-year (68/0/20/12). All proceeds from Wildcask Bourbon are invested back into the Beam Institute to support student education and research.

Student Perspective on the Wildcask Bourbon 2026 Blending Process

“Being involved in the blending process was one of my favorite parts of the class,” said Isaac Downs, a UK senior majoring in business management with a minor in international business. “We talked a lot about branding in the first semester and how to put your story in every part of your product from the packaging to the stuff inside the bottle. We drew on that knowledge when we learned to blend, and we developed a bourbon that is unique, approachable and full of flavor.”

Hands-On Experience and Industry Collaboration

Throughout the two-semester course, industry professionals spoke to the class about their respective areas, including blending, distribution, finance, and bottle and enclosure procurement. Students also visited label printing facilities, distribution warehouses and different-sized distilleries, gaining first-hand access to some of the strongest minds in the beverage industry. Gavin Lincavage is taking the course as well, but his full-time job is being a winemaker at Talon Winery. He said the class has taught him more about the industry. “The business side of the alcohol industry has always felt mysterious to me,” Lincavage said. “We had so many great members of our team and amazing support from the Beam Institute.”

Wildcask Bourbon 2026 Availability and Reservation Instructions

Those who would like to purchase Wildcask can reserve their bottles ahead of time. Bottles will be held until April 27, when consumers must purchase and pick up their bottles at the Beam Institute, 1320 Nicholasville Road in Lexington. Instructions on parking and when to arrive for pickup will be sent to the email address customers used to reserve their bottles. The 2026 expression is bottled at 100 proof and is priced at $69.99 for a 750ml bottle. (Some sources are reporting that Wildcask Bourbon 2026 will be also available as a 375 mL option for $34.99. However, that size is not available at the purchase link.)

Wildcask Bourbon 2026 is made possible by the support of Suntory Global Spirits, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Four Roses Bourbon, ByQuest packaging, Cursive Solutions Inc., and W. Bahan Designs.

Recognizing Student Achievement

“The students continue to impress with this 2026 edition,” said Seth DeBolt, Ph.D., director of the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits. “The level of energy, enthusiasm and learning is wonderful. They used the mash bills to blend one of the smoothest whiskies you will meet, and I’m truly blown away.”

Will you be picking up a bottle of the Wildcask Bourbon 2026? Next, read my review of last year’s release: Kentucky Wildcask Bourbon Review.

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!