Celebrating New Releases and Fresh Stories

September is Bourbon Heritage Month, and what better way to honor it than with a round of exciting news from across the whiskey and mead world? We’ve got a packed pour of stories—from historic distillery openings and experimental limited releases to bourbons honoring Kentucky’s natural treasures and even Shakespeare reimagined over a glass of mead. Whether you’re here for the latest bottle drops, cultural sips, or a taste of what’s happening across the scene, there’s something for every palate. Let’s dive in.

The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery and Buffalo Trace Distillery have confirmed the 2025 release of the Van Winkle Whiskey Collection, arriving just in time for Bourbon Heritage Month. This year’s lineup includes six classics—Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, Family Reserve Rye 13 Year, and the 15, 20, and 23 Year Pappy expressions. Adding to the excitement, a rediscovered Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old, one of only 710 bottles ever made, will headline Legacy de Forge’s Bourbon Heritage Month Auction. Alongside it will be rare offerings like O.F.C. 2006 and a Stagg Single Barrel. Retail prices for the 2025 collection run from $149.99 to $499.99, but availability will be extremely limited. The Van Winkle family stresses that collectors should only purchase through licensed retailers, steering clear of the risky secondary market. This year’s release continues the tradition of celebrating heritage, patience, and craftsmanship in one of bourbon’s most legendary collections.

Maverick Whiskey is rolling out its 6-year Four Grain Texas Straight Bourbon online starting Monday, September 8. Distilled with 100% Texas grain in the historic Lockwood building, this limited release blends corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley into a rich profile. Aged six years at 106 proof, it delivers bold caramel and cola up front, balanced vanilla spice in the middle, and a warm cinnamon finish. A true nod to Samuel Maverick’s original 1835 whiskey, this release won’t last long.

Heaven Hill Brands has officially opened the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, marking the company’s return to hometown distilling for the first time since 1996. The $200 million facility began production in April 2025 with capacity for 150,000 barrels a year, expandable to 450,000, and features sustainable systems, a 60-foot Vendome copper still, and on-site habitat restoration. To celebrate, Heaven Hill released a limited “Master Distillers Unity” bourbon blending barrels spanning from 1991 to today, available only onsite. The grand opening also unveiled the new Heritage Rising Tour, starting September 8, giving visitors behind-the-scenes access and tastings for $55. With this expansion, Heaven Hill strengthens its position as the world’s largest independent bourbon producer while investing in sustainability and community.

Charlottesville’s own Cottage Industry theater troupe is presenting Queen Lear, an all-female, one-hour adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear that reframes the tragedy as a story of maternal power and sisterhood. Featuring veteran actress Kate Bennis in the lead and directed by Miller Susen, the production blends original music with Shakespeare’s text, with six performers playing multiple roles. The site-specific series makes a stop at Thistlerock Mead Company in Charlottesville through November 14. Tickets are $20 at queenlear.org.

Angel’s Envy has unveiled two new experimental whiskeys available exclusively at its Louisville distillery: Two-Grain Bourbon and Peated Cask Rye. The bourbon uses an unusual mashbill of 90% corn and 10% malted barley, aged in Kelvin Cooperage barrels and bottled at 112 proof, with 17,500 bottles produced. The rye is a six-year-old whiskey finished in smoky Islay Scotch casks, proofed with tap water aged in rye barrels, yielding 7,200 bottles at 100 proof. Both are priced at $55 each, and while secondary market bottles may surface, fans will need to visit Louisville to secure one firsthand.

New Era Whiskey & Spirits is debuting its first retail release with three eight-year-old, cask-strength single-barrel bourbons inspired by Kentucky state parks. The lineup includes Nature’s Crossing at Natural Bridge (115 proof), Dark Wonders at Mammoth Cave (113.8 proof), and Magic Moonbow at Cumberland Falls (115 proof). Hitting Kentucky shelves the week of September 6 at $99 a bottle, the release also includes a $3,000 donation to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund.

Middleburg Barrel Company has debuted its first Provenance Bourbon releases, blending Kentucky heritage with Virginia craftsmanship. The lineup includes a 7-Year Straight Bourbon (107 proof, $69.99) and a bold 14-Year Straight Bourbon (122 proof, $259.99), both already award-winning. Principal Whiskeymaker Jay West, known for his work with Whiskey Raiders, personally selects each barrel from more than 2,000 aging on the historic Provenance Estate in Middleburg. Visitors can tour the property, taste from barrels, and even create their own custom bottles. Backed by founder Viyas Sundaram’s vision, Provenance aims to honor tradition while pushing bourbon into a new, immersive era. Available now through The Bourbon Concierge and select Mid-Atlantic retailers.

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Columbus’ Watershed Distillery is marking 15 years of craft spirits with the return of Bourbonfest on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 5–10 p.m. near Ohio State University. The celebration features exclusive first pours of Watershed’s Fall Finishing Series bourbons, rare picks from The Vault, guided tastings, and plenty of local flavor from food trucks and live performances by Doc Robinson and Tucker Munz. With tickets ranging from $5 to $50, Bourbonfest promises to be both a community celebration and one of the city’s top bourbon events.

Jack Daniel’s has released its 2025 Heroes Selection, a limited Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey available exclusively at U.S. military outlets and in small quantities at the Lynchburg distillery. Selected by twin brothers JB and LB McGowan—U.S. Army veterans and longtime Jack Daniel’s employees—the whiskey ranges from 125 to 140 proof, with a bold, complex flavor from barrels aged high in the rickhouses. Packaged in a collectible box with a commemorative medallion, this year’s edition continues Jack Daniel’s tradition of supporting the military community, including its Operation Ride Home program, which has raised over $4 million since 2011 to help service members and families travel home for the holidays. Priced at $69.99, it’s a tribute both to whiskey craftsmanship and those who serve

Heaven Hill has unveiled the 2025 edition of its Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon, a limited release crafted entirely in Nelson County, Kentucky. Featuring a unique mashbill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malted barley—sourced locally from Peterson Farms—the bourbon was aged over six years and bottled at 106.6 proof without chill filtering. The result is a balanced pour with notes of caramel, vanilla, floral tones, toasted nuts, and coffee. Priced at $99.99 for a 700ml bottle, this year’s release continues the distillery’s focus on transparency and craftsmanship while supporting Farm Rescue in its 20th year.

Jos A. Magnus & Co. is re-releasing its sought-after 10-year-old cask strength high-rye bourbon, first launched in 2019. Limited to just 46 barrels, the whiskey matured entirely in rare French Seguin Moreau casks, adding a distinctive character. Bottled at cask strength, it opens with aromas of hazelnut, vanilla, leather, spice, and cocoa, leading to flavors of dark fruit, burnt sugar, and oak with a creamy finish. Priced at $124.99, this limited edition will be available through select whiskey retailers.

Wild Turkey is rolling out a bold new global campaign, “When You Know It’s Right, Don’t Change a Damn Thing,” celebrating the brand’s century-old recipe and unwavering commitment to authenticity. Directed by Kiku Ohe, the films highlight the Russell family legacy, with cameos from three generations, including legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, now marking 71 years at the distillery. The campaign underscores how Wild Turkey resisted industry trends toward lighter spirits, keeping its bourbon full-flavored and true to its heritage. Launching this fall across the U.S., Japan, Australia, and South Korea, the campaign blends archival footage, family memorabilia, and global bartender cameos to showcase Wild Turkey’s conviction and timeless flavor.

Veteran-founded On Your 6 Bourbon has secured a spot in Caesars Entertainment’s national beverage program, expanding its presence across more than 50 resorts nationwide. Already launched earlier this year at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the award-winning bourbon will now be available in multiple states, including Nevada, Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia. Founded in 2023, On Your 6 was inspired by veterans and everyday heroes, with its military canteen-inspired bottle design and NFC-enabled labels sharing stories of courage and service. This milestone partnership strengthens the brand’s mission to honor those who serve while reaching a wider audience through Caesars’ competitive beverage lineup.

Booker’s Bourbon has unveiled the 2025 edition of The Reserves, marking the first Beam whiskey ever finished in tequila barrels. This year’s release blends extra-aged bourbon—minimum 8 years, 10 months, and 11 days old—before spending six months in ex–El Tesoro tequila casks that once held Booker’s 30th Anniversary Bourbon and El Tesoro’s 85th Anniversary Tequila. Bottled uncut and unfiltered at 123.3 proof, it delivers layers of caramel, vanilla, oak, baking spices, and a distinctive agave and black pepper finish. Available nationwide this fall at $130, with limited bottles at the James B. Beam American Outpost, the release celebrates Booker Noe’s experimental spirit while pushing the brand into bold new territory.

Denver-based Laws Whiskey House has introduced Founder’s Select Colorado Straight Bourbon, a new addition to its Four Grain Bourbon family. Made from heirloom grains sourced from two Colorado family farms, the bourbon’s mash bill is 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted barley. Aged over four years in 53-gallon oak barrels and bottled at 45% ABV, it’s crafted to be both approachable and complex, showcasing the distillery’s grain-forward, terroir-driven style. Founder’s Select is now available at the Laws Whiskey House Whiskey Sanctuary in Denver and select Colorado retailers.

Woodford Reserve has released Sweet Oak Bourbon, the 21st expression in its Master’s Collection series. Aged in rare Chinkapin oak barrels, the whiskey highlights the impact of unique American oak on flavor, delivering a bold yet balanced profile at 110.4 proof. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall describes it as full-bodied with Woodford’s hallmark sweetness layered by nuanced oak character. Priced at $179.99 for a 700ml bottle, Sweet Oak Bourbon is available in limited quantities at the distillery, select Kentucky retailers, and through Woodford’s online shop (shipping to a handful of states and D.C.).

Von Payne Spirits, known for its gothic-inspired whiskey and gargoyle-branded bottles, has purchased the historic Whiteside’s Bakery Company building at 1400 West Broadway in Louisville. The 60,000-square-foot Mission-style structure, built in 1908 and once considered America’s most advanced bakery, will be reborn as The Von Payne Castle: Distillery and Tasting Experience. The project will restore the long-abandoned “Castle” while introducing a one-of-a-kind stop on the Bourbon Trail, complete with Von Payne’s bourbon, its black currant–infused whiskey, and immersive brand experiences. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg praised the investment as both an economic boost and a cultural addition to the city’s West End. With its gothic flair and commitment to community revitalization, Von Payne Castle is poised to become one of Louisville’s boldest new whiskey destinations.

Jeptha Creed Distillery will host its Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 4, 2025, bringing music, spirits, and family fun to its Shelbyville grounds. The event features live performances from CreatiVets artists Joel Shewmake, Martin McDaniel, and Brooks Herring, along with seasonal attractions like a corn maze and local food trucks. Guests can also enjoy Jeptha Creed’s signature cocktails and award-winning craft spirits while soaking in the autumn atmosphere. The festival has become a cherished community tradition, celebrating both Kentucky’s harvest season and the distillery’s farm-to-bottle ethos. Tickets are available now through Jeptha Creed’s website.

Ann Arbor’s BLØM Meadworks is celebrating hop season with a small-batch Fresh Hopped Cyser, made with Centennial and Cascade hops picked straight from a family friend’s hopsyard and added immediately into the fermenter. The cyser blends cider and session mead for a crisp, slightly tart profile with notes of fresh grass and tangerine. Available on draft and in cans, howlers, and growlers to-go, this seasonal release highlights the fleeting freshness of just-harvested hops. Fans can also look forward to upcoming releases, including a Black Currant Mead, Raspberry Cider, and festive Christmas Mead.

Legendary heavy metal label Metal Blade Records has teamed up with Rare Character Whiskey Company to release a special edition bourbon, marking the label’s latest crossover into craft beverages. The release, Metal Blade’s VTO – Straight Bourbon Whiskey, was distilled in Indiana and aged for over nine years in Kelvin Char 4 barrels in Kentucky, resulting in a bold 123.78-proof pour. Tasting notes include cherry cola, tobacco, vanilla cream, and baking spice, with a rich, cola-like finish. Limited to a single barrel (VTO-020), the collaboration brings together Metal Blade’s four-decade legacy in music and Rare Character’s reputation for unique whiskey expressions. Bottles are available now for fans ready to toast both bourbon and heavy metal.

Garrison Brothers Distillery has announced Sonora, its ninth bourbon expression, set to release on October 18th with just 6,000 bottles. Aged seven years—four in new American oak and three in rye whiskey barrels—this 108-proof bourbon highlights both craftsmanship and collaboration, led in part by distiller Samantha Olvera, the first female Latina in Texas to produce bourbon grain-to-glass. Inspired by the Caverns of Sonora, the limited release features rich notes of oak, rye spice, vanilla, and butterscotch, finishing with crème brûlée sweetness. Priced at $159.99, each bottle will carry Garrison’s signature ruby red wax seal, with $5 per bottle benefiting cave conservation efforts.

Seattle’s Copperworks Distilling Co. is honoring Craft Malt Month with a limited-edition bottling of Craft Malt Month 2025 American Single Malt Whiskey. Distilled from Baronesse barley grown in Washington and malted by LINC Malt, this single cask release spent 4 years and 9 months maturing, showcasing extra depth compared to the distillery’s award-winning Farmsmith release. Just 168 bottles are available at 62.95% ABV, priced at $89.99, with $10 from each sale supporting the Craft Maltsters Guild. This release highlights Copperworks’ commitment to local agriculture, farmer partnerships, and craft malting traditions.

The Oregon Honey & Mead Festival is set to buzz back to Edenvale Winery in Medford on Saturday, September 13, offering a full day of honey, mead, music, and pollinator education. Organized by Cascade Girl, the event features tastings from regional vendors like Lazy Z Ranch, Oran Mór Artisan Mead, and Siskiyou Mead & Spirits, alongside food from Edenvale chefs and local wine. Visitors can enjoy live performances from the Danielle Kelly Quartet, Mountaintop Sound, and Shybo and the Twisted Vines, plus educational talks on beekeeping, pollinators, and even “tasting honey like a sommelier.” Kids’ crafts, a live bee exhibit, and nonprofit programs like Bee Heroes America add to the family-friendly vibe. Tickets are $20, with free entry for children, veterans, and Indigenous Peoples, and proceeds benefit Cascade Girl’s education and conservation initiatives.

2XO Whiskey has unveiled White Oak Rye, the first Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey in its Oak Series, joining American Oak and French Oak bourbons. Crafted with a bold 95% rye mash bill, the whiskey undergoes Dixon Dedman’s signature double oak technique, adding extra charred American White Oak to enhance peppery spice with layers of sweetness. Initially rolling out in select states (FL, IL, IN, KY, MN, NC, NE, WI) and online at ReserveBar.com for $49.99, wider distribution is planned for 2026. Dedman, best known for reviving Kentucky Owl, continues to spotlight innovative blending with this latest release.

That wraps up this edition, but Bourbon Heritage Month is far from over. With each new release, festival, and toast, we’re reminded why bourbon holds such a special place in America’s story. So keep raising your glasses, exploring new pours, and sharing the spirit of discovery with friends and family. Cheers to bourbon, mead, and the joy of celebrating them together all month long.