Raising a Glass to the Year: Your Final Bourbon & Mead Digest of 2025

As the year winds down and the holidays take center stage, this final digest of the year is a chance to raise a glass, catch our breath, and reflect on just how eventful the past twelve months have been in the worlds of bourbon and mead. From milestone anniversaries and historic releases to new distilleries, cultural traditions in a bottle, and the people shaping what comes next, there has been no shortage of stories worth savoring. We’ll be taking a short break for Christmas and New Year’s, but before we do, here’s one last pour of news to carry you into the season. Enjoy the time with family and friends, keep something good in your glass, and we’ll see you on the other side of the holidays.

Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the Fall 2025 release of its Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, an 11-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon drawn from barrels distilled in fall 2014 and bottled in fall 2025, marking the sixteenth national release in the popular series. Presented in the signature ornate decanter with a black fall label and transparent bottled-in-bond tax strip, the allocated 750ml release comes in at 100 proof and carries a suggested retail price of $159.99. Tasting notes highlight a bright amber color with aromas of rich bourbon sweetness, leather, oak, and baking spices, followed by a velvety palate of honey, butterscotch, and dark fruits, finishing warm with hints of milk chocolate. As with past releases, the bourbon meets all bottled-in-bond requirements and continues the Old Fitzgerald legacy, a historic luxury brand now stewarded by Heaven Hill, known for its deep roots in American whiskey tradition and highly sought-after limited editions.

Iron City Distilling is celebrating a major milestone with a limited single-barrel release of its Bessemer Rye whiskey, the first spirit produced entirely in-house since the East Deer distillery opened in 2023. Set to launch Friday, Dec. 19, just 150 bottles will be available exclusively in the distillery gift shop, showcasing a 100 percent Danko rye whiskey distilled about two and a half years ago and selected from several barrels by master distiller Matt Strickland. Inspired by Pennsylvania’s long-lost rye whiskey tradition, Bessemer Rye leans into bold, old-school character with aromas of pepper, citrus, rye bread, and marmalade, followed by a weighty palate of vanilla cake, caramel, rye spice, and a lingering finish. More than a holiday release, the whiskey is a tribute to regional distilling history and a statement of intent from Iron City, which now has more than 3,500 barrels aging and a track record of limited releases that tend to sell out fast.

A new distillery and tasting room are set to open this summer at the historic Elkins Estate in Montgomery County, transforming the former stables of the 19th-century Chelten House mansion into a home for Morgan Stillhouse and its revived Stork Club spirits label. Part of a multiyear restoration of the 42-acre Gilded Age property, the project blends historic preservation with modern distilling, offering space for tastings, tours, paired dinners, and a bottle shop, along with Stork Club–branded cigars. The first release will be a multigrain vodka made with Pennsylvania spring water, followed by limited runs of gin, bourbon, and rye, initially distributed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Inspired by the legendary Prohibition-era Stork Club of New York, the distillery adds a new chapter to the estate’s long history as a gathering place, further cementing Elkins Park’s revival as a destination for heritage, hospitality, and craft spirits.

Cooper Spirits Co. has announced the release of Lock Stock & Barrel 25-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey, an ultra-limited expression that completes the brand’s acclaimed lineup of high-aged ryes and is now considered the oldest rye whiskey currently available on the market. Distilled in 1999 and aged for a full quarter century in Canada’s cold, dry climate, the whiskey comes from a small selection of prized “honey barrels” personally chosen by the late founder Rob Cooper from Alberta Distillers’ rickhouses. Bottled at 111 proof, the release will be limited to just 250 bottles shipping in 2025, with a suggested retail price of $999.99. Positioned squarely for collectors and serious rye enthusiasts, the 25-Year-Old is described as a true time-capsule whiskey, showcasing deep complexity, rarity, and a style of long-aged rye production that no longer exists today.

Zydeco Meadery is celebrating the holiday season and cultural heritage with Carnival Rose, its signature hibiscus mead inspired by sorrel, the traditional Caribbean and Latin American Christmas drink. Crafted from a family recipe passed down from the Depradine family’s 98-year-old matriarch, Carnival Rose blends hibiscus, warm holiday spices, and bright cranberry-like notes into a lightly sparkling mead that evokes Christmas gatherings across the Caribbean, South Louisiana, and the diaspora. Produced by the Black-owned, multigenerational meadery now based in North Attleborough, the release reflects Zydeco’s mission to honor culture, memory, and place, using regional honeys from Louisiana and Massachusetts. More than a seasonal drink, Carnival Rose has become a cultural touchstone, reconnecting families with tradition while introducing new audiences to the deep roots of sorrel-inspired celebration.

Heaven Hill Brands marked its 90th anniversary on December 13, 2025, reflecting on a journey that began in 1935 with no brands or inventory and grew into one of the world’s leading independent spirits companies. Still family-owned by the Shapira family, Heaven Hill used the milestone to highlight its people-first culture and the launch of its new Thriving Together platform, reinforcing long-held values of integrity, craftsmanship, and shared success. The anniversary year featured major achievements, including the opening of a new Louisville corporate office, the launch of Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, strong growth across whiskey, tequila, and vodka brands, and top industry honors such as Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye being named Whisky Advocate’s 2025 Whisky of the Year. Community impact also took center stage, with employees contributing more than 9,000 volunteer hours through the company’s 90 for 90 initiative. Looking ahead, Heaven Hill signaled its long-term focus with continued investments, a commemorative 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon release, and a clear message that the next chapter will be built the same way as the last nine decades, together.

Charleston’s Bourbon N’ Bubbles has landed national recognition after being featured by Whisky Advocate as a must-visit destination for whiskey lovers, spotlighting the venue’s distinctive approach to bourbon, champagne, and craft cocktails. Operated by Republic Hospitality Group, the bar is known for its carefully curated selection of more than 200 bourbons, guided tastings led by a Certified Bourbon Steward, and an elevated hospitality experience that blends education with approachability. The feature reinforces Bourbon N’ Bubbles’ growing reputation as one of Charleston’s standout whiskey destinations, boosting its national visibility while validating the venue’s focus on thoughtful curation, refined service, and memorable tasting experiences for both locals and visiting enthusiasts.

Share Bourbon and Mead

Caledonia Spirits has introduced Phyllis Vermont Rye Whiskey, the first year-round core expression in its Phyllis Whiskey lineup and a major milestone in the distillery’s more than decade-long whiskey journey. Made entirely in Vermont from responsibly grown regional grains, the 93-proof rye features an 84 percent winter rye and 16 percent barley mashbill, delivering classic peppery rye character layered with caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. Beyond flavor, the release emphasizes sustainability, with winter rye chosen for its soil-building benefits and production powered in part by solar energy. Priced at $55 and available year-round at the Montpelier distillery and select Vermont retailers, with New Hampshire distribution coming soon, Phyllis Vermont Rye underscores Caledonia Spirits’ commitment to patience, transparency, and a distinctly Vermont approach to rye whiskey.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has unveiled the 20-member class selected for its 2026 Leadership Academy, a yearlong program designed to develop the next generation of leaders shaping Kentucky’s Bourbon industry. Running from January through November, the immersive academy offers participants hands-on exposure to the full scope of the global distilling landscape, including bourbon tourism, legislative priorities, safety standards, and industry advocacy. Now entering its fifth class since launching in 2022, the program brings together rising professionals from distilleries and allied companies across the state, reflecting the diversity and collaboration driving bourbon’s continued growth. KDA President Eric Gregory praised the group’s talent and unity, noting their role in advancing Kentucky’s signature industry into its next era.

Casey Jones Distillery is closing out the year with a limited release of Single Barrel Toasted Barrel Finished Bourbon Batch 2, set to drop December 27 as part of its Spirited New Year celebration. Available in the distillery gift shop with an online option for those who can’t attend, this cask-strength bourbon clocks in at 127.8 proof and carries a $99.99 price tag. The toasted barrel finish delivers richer oak, deeper warmth, and a long, lingering finish aimed squarely at fans of bold, layered bourbon. The all-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., featuring Smokin O’s BBQ in the afternoon, live music from Full Circle in the evening, and a barrel drop finale where attendees have a chance to win the barrel head and staves, making this release equal parts bottle hunt and celebration.

Frey Ranch Distillery has released a very limited amount of its 100% Barley Whiskey, a unique entry in the distillery’s Single Grain Series made from two-row unmalted barley grown on the family’s Nevada farm. Aged 4 years and 8 months and bottled at 110 proof, the whiskey has already earned major acclaim, including a 97-point Double Gold and Best of Class at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, along with praise from Esquire for its rich but balanced notes of butterscotch, caramel, and honey. Available only through Frey Ranch’s online shop, the release is being offered in two exclusive $99 bundles alongside the distillery’s Four Grain Bourbon and Malted Four Grain Bourbon, positioning the barley whiskey as both a standout collectible and an inviting option for bourbon fans looking to explore something new.

That’s a wrap on this final edition of the digest as we head into Christmas and ring in the New Year. From historic rye and bourbon releases to milestone anniversaries, new distilleries, and meads rooted in culture and tradition, it’s been another reminder of just how vibrant and diverse this space has become. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting Bourbon and Mead throughout the year. Enjoy the holidays, savor something special from your shelf, and take time to appreciate the people you share it with. We’ll be back soon with fresh stories, new releases, and plenty more to pour over in the year ahead. Cheers, and Happy New Year.

Thanks for reading Bourbon and Mead! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.