September Wrap-Up, New Releases, and Fall Whiskey Fun

As Bourbon Heritage Month winds down, the excitement hasn’t slowed a bit. From standout limited releases and celebrity collaborations to haunted whiskey experiences and fall festivals, the season is packed with reasons to raise a glass. Whether you’re hunting for a rare bottle, planning your next distillery adventure, or just sipping along with the season, this week’s roundup has you covered.

Good Trouble Bourbon has unveiled Trouble in Blues, a limited-edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon celebrating a century of Chicago Blues. Aged over 5 years and bottled at 100 proof, the whiskey blends rich flavors of toffee, oak, cherry, and spice with immersive storytelling powered by AR technology. By scanning the bottle, drinkers unlock digital tributes to blues legends like Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, and Howlin’ Wolf. With only 445 bottles produced—some signed by Buddy Guy—proceeds benefit the Blues Legacy Committee, supporting preservation of Chicago’s musical heritage. Decked out in striking electric blue and gold artwork, the bottle is as soulful as the music it honors, making this release both a collector’s piece and a cultural tribute.

The Ohio Craft Whiskey Festival is back at Henmick Farm & Brewery on Saturday, October 25, from 12–5 pm, promising the state’s biggest whiskey celebration yet. This year sets a record with 23 Ohio distilleries pouring their best, alongside Henmick beer, live music, and plenty of autumn atmosphere. Guests can enjoy tastings, shop for bottles at the on-site OHLQ store, and soak up a day dedicated to local craft spirits. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 26, at 9 am—so mark your calendars now for this fall’s must-attend whiskey event.

Barrell Craft Spirits is capping off Bourbon Heritage Month with a standout new expression: a 12-year-old bourbon finished in French oak. Limited to just 330 bottles priced at $159.99, the release goes live online September 23 at 10 a.m. ET, with wider distribution hitting stores next month. Bottled at 108.5 proof, the bourbon’s secondary maturation in French oak delivers elegance and depth, layering warm nutmeg, clove, and allspice over notes of custard, hazelnut, and vanilla. Tasting notes reveal everything from cinnamon donuts and mulled wine on the nose to spice-shop richness on the palate, finishing with coffee cake, cherries, and a peppery, resinous woodiness. French oak imparts a subtler structure than American oak, highlighting dessert-like sweetness and old-world spice without overpowering the base spirit. For collectors and connoisseurs, this release is equal parts celebration of age, craft, and the nuanced influence of French oak.

Stephen Curry’s Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon has launched its first Player Exclusive, not tied to the NBA star himself, but instead honoring celebrated chef and humanitarian José Andrés. The release is a 10-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Spanish Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, limited to just 800 bottles at $375 each. Bottled at 107 proof, it highlights rich notes of vanilla, fig jam, dark raisins, honey, and espresso. A majority of proceeds benefit Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, which provides meals to communities in crisis. Available online and through select retailers, this bottle blends bourbon craftsmanship with culinary influence—and a mission of giving back.

Buzzard’s Roost Sipping Whiskeys is bringing a supernatural twist to Louisville this fall with a Halloween-themed whiskey experience running Fridays and Saturdays from September 26 to November 8. Guided by a Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey expert and paranormal investigator Fen Alankus, guests will explore the brand’s hidden speakeasy, where spirits—both liquid and lingering—help decide whiskey pours via pendulum. The tour continues at the Hereafter Speakeasy, complete with tarot-guided cocktails and tales of Civil War–era hauntings. Tickets are $70 per person, limited to 10 spots per session, with extra Halloween night bookings on October 31.

Casey Jones Distillery is closing the book on its rye whiskey with The Last “GoodRye”, a six-year-old Kentucky Straight Rye distilled in 2019 and bottled at full cask strength (118.9 proof). With just one barrel left (#838), this 95/5 rye delivers bold autumn character, packed with crisp apple, caramel, spice, and structure. Only 50 bottles are available online for $89.99, with preorders open through October 5 and shipping in early November. The release will be celebrated during Bourbon Heritage Weekend, September 26–27, at the distillery, before the final bottles appear at Bourbon on the Banks in Frankfort, October 4–5.

Orlando’s Zymarium Meadery is bringing back its Dark Ritual celebration for the third year, running October 1 through November 1. The taproom transforms into a haunted hideaway with a Halloween-inspired menu featuring Endless Dark Ritual (a triple berry mead), Pumpkin Spice Coquito, Scarlet Magick (a collab with Hunger Street Tacos), Witch of Persia (baklava-inspired), and Blood of the Elder Gods—served in a blood bag for extra theatrics. Guests can also enjoy tarot readings, a Goblin Market art pop-up on October 11, scary movies, and spooky playlists, making this monthlong event part haunted house, part Halloween bar, and all mead magic.

Get ready for Starrlight Mead’s biggest event of the year—Mead Fest—taking over The Plant in Pittsboro this Saturday. The family-friendly festival brings a mini-Renaissance Fair vibe with sword-fighting knights, live music, vendors, food trucks, a wild bird release, and even a mead-making demo. Seasonal favorites like Spiced Apple and Spiced Pumpkin will return, alongside pours from Honeygirl Meadery and a special 4-year-old braggot from BMC Brewery. VIP guests can still snag spots for a seated tasting that debuts Starrlight’s new Reserve Chocolate Orange Mead, with sign-ups closing Thursday at 6 pm. Costumes are encouraged, and admission is free (food and drink available for purchase). Rain or shine—Huzzah!

Frankfort’s J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery is helping whiskey lovers get into the spooky spirit with a fully customizable Halloween bottle program. Fans can choose from three double-staved mashbills (two bourbons and a rye), pick their bottle shape, design their own label, and even select a wax color—from classic orange and black to candy corn–inspired tri-color. Bottles start at $99.50 and can be shipped to 46 states, making them a standout addition to Halloween parties or seasonal décor. The program is available both online and at the distillery, blending J. Mattingly’s 200-year heritage with a playful twist for All Hallows’ Eve.

Frey Ranch Distillery in Fallon, Nevada, has released its highly anticipated Harvester Series: Second Harvest, a limited-edition wheat whiskey crafted with grains grown exclusively on the Frey family farm. Master Blender Nancy Fraley joined Colby and Ashley Frey to select barrels ranging from 4.5 to 8.5 years old, creating a 122.44-proof blend that highlights soft white winter wheat alongside Frey Ranch’s diverse mashbills. Expect rich layers of honey, shortbread, crème brûlée, baklava, and citrus, balanced by a creamy wheat finish. Only 600 numbered bottles are available, priced at $249.99, with sales split between an online lottery (Sept. 26–29), the distillery’s Fallon tasting room, and select Nevada and California retailers. Complete with a vintage tractor topper and grain-silo packaging, this bottle is as much a tribute to Frey Ranch’s farm-to-glass legacy as it is to whiskey craftsmanship.

Country star Dierks Bentley has turned up the volume with the release of ROW 94 Full Proof, the newest addition to his bourbon lineup crafted at Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro, Kentucky. Bottled at 120 proof and aged at least four years, this uncut Kentucky Straight Bourbon is made from 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted and row barley, then aged in Level 4 charred oak barrels. Already a Gold medal winner at the 2025 Ascot Awards, ROW 94 Full Proof delivers notes of vanilla, fresh tobacco, leather, and clove on the nose, with a palate of honey, raisins, black pepper, and smoky oak that fades into toffee and dark chocolate. Priced at $54.99, the bottle is now available nationwide and online at ROW94whiskey.com, marking Bentley’s boldest whiskey expression yet.

Wild Turkey has announced Master’s Keep Beacon, the final chapter in its acclaimed Master’s Keep series, which has pushed bourbon boundaries since 2015. Crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell and his son, Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, this 118-proof limited edition blends a 16-year-old bourbon from the original distillery with a 10-year-old bourbon distilled during Bruce’s early years on the team. The result is a layered whiskey with aromas of dark fruit, cherry, honey, and cola, leading to flavors of caramelized sugar, toffee, tea, warm baking spice, and a lingering oak-and-leather finish. At $300, Beacon closes out a decade of celebrated releases that have become collector favorites, while symbolizing the passing of tradition from one Russell generation to the next.

Rochester’s Black Button Distilling, known for spirits like Bespoke Bourbon Crème and Empire Rye, will remain open thanks to a lifeline from Kris Comstock of Kentucky-based Blackstar Co. Earlier this year, founder Jason Barrett announced the distillery would shut down, sparking an outpouring of support from the local community. Comstock, a longtime industry friend, stepped in after seeing the passion behind the brand, ensuring operations will continue with Barrett’s team in place. While the University Avenue tasting room remains closed for now, Black Button’s lineup of New York-grown spirits will soon return to shelves. Founded in 2012 as Monroe County’s first post-Prohibition craft distillery, Black Button has grown into a regional favorite, and this investment keeps its future alive.

Yellow Rose Distilling has launched its latest Craft County Series release, Kerr County Blended Bourbon Whiskey, with all proceeds supporting recovery efforts after the devastating July 4 floods in Texas Hill Country. Crafted under new master blender Toni Hardisty, one of the few female whiskey makers in the state, the 86-proof limited edition features notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, graham cracker, and candied pecan. Retailing at $39.99, Kerr County joins earlier county-themed releases while raising funds for the Texas Flood Relief Fund, ensuring every bottle sold helps local communities rebuild.

James B. Beam Distilling has unveiled Booker’s Bourbon “Jerry’s Batch,” a 124.7-proof release honoring Jerry Dalton, the only non-Beam to ever serve as Master Distiller. A chemist turned distiller, Dalton stepped in after Booker Noe’s retirement and later mentored Fred Noe, who credits him with shaping his knowledge of whiskey science. Aged 7 years, 4 months, and 21 days, Jerry’s Batch blends barrels from nine warehouses, reflecting Kentucky’s unique microclimates for balanced depth and character. Available now for $99.99, this release celebrates Dalton’s quiet but lasting influence on Beam’s legacy.

Narragansett Beer and Wheel Horse Whiskey have joined forces for a unique two-part collaboration: a barrel-aged Baltic Porter and a beer-finished bourbon. The porter (9.8% ABV) was aged in freshly emptied Wheel Horse Bourbon barrels, delivering rich notes of toffee, coffee, chocolate, and oak. Those same barrels then returned to Kentucky, where Wheel Horse finished its 4-year-old bourbon for 4–5 months, adding roasted malt and chocolatey depth to the whiskey. Launching October 2 at Narragansett Brewery in Providence, the porter will be available on draft and in 4-packs, while the Wheel Horse Baltic Porter Beer Finished Bourbon (SRP $39.99) will hit select New England retailers and online.

Westland Distillery in Seattle confirmed that 12,000 bottles of whiskey—including its coveted Garryana 10th anniversary release—were stolen in July from its Burlington warehouse in what investigators believe was a freight scam involving fraudulent pickup documents. Valued at nearly $1 million, the missing stock includes Westland’s flagship single malt, a new release called Watchpost, and 3,000 bottles of Garryana, which has been hailed among the world’s best whiskeys. The loss is especially painful as Garryana takes a decade to produce, and this year marked a milestone release. While the theft remains under investigation, Westland will release its remaining 4,500 bottles of Garryana starting October 18 at its Sodo tasting room.

The bourbon world is mourning the loss of Even Kulsveen, executive director of Willett Distillery, who died this week at 79. Credited with reviving the historic family distillery in Bardstown alongside his children, Britt and Drew, Kulsveen was a quiet pioneer of the American whiskey renaissance. Long before bourbon’s boom, he championed small-batch whiskey, built export markets, and later guided Willett into international acclaim. Inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2019, he was celebrated not only for his vision but also for his generosity, with Willett donating rare bottles and barrels that raised millions for charity. Industry peers remember him as humble, brilliant, and profoundly influential—a guiding light whose legacy will endure in bourbon history.

Virginia philanthropist and entrepreneur John Kluge Jr. turned a pandemic epiphany into action by founding Thistlerock Mead Company, the U.S.’s first net-zero meadery. Built around regenerative agriculture, beekeeping, and sustainable practices—from solar energy to recycled glass bottles—Thistlerock produces honey wines while highlighting the critical role of pollinators. Kluge is also spearheading a coalition with Bee:Wild and Global Citizen to engage beverage companies and other industries in biodiversity and conservation initiatives, aiming to mobilize 5 million pollinator-friendly actions, protect 1 million acres of rainforest, and generate $10 million for conservation. With honeybee populations under severe threat, Thistlerock combines sustainability with advocacy, demonstrating how small-scale producers can inspire broader environmental change while reconnecting people to nature.

Versailles police apprehended four Cincinnati men following a chaotic August 23 break-in at Castle & Key Distillery, shortly after the venue had hosted a wedding. Intoxicated and reckless, the suspects stole a bottle of bourbon and led officers on a nearly three-hour chase across the distillery’s property, damaging a delivery truck and golf cart along the way. Three men, Gabriel Rinier, Justin Link, and Christopher Collins, were caught hiding on the grounds, facing multiple charges including burglary, possession of burglary tools, and fleeing law enforcement. A fourth man, passed out in a car, was charged with an alcohol misdemeanor, while a fifth initially escaped but was later identified through evidence left behind. Police described the ordeal as a costly and “dumb” misadventure for the suspects.

That wraps up this week’s whirlwind of bourbon, whiskey, and mead news! From high-proof releases and limited-edition collaborations to inspiring sustainability initiatives and headline-making heists, the world of spirits never slows down. Raise a glass to innovation, heritage, and the stories behind every bottle—and stay tuned for more updates, tasting notes, and behind-the-scenes scoops in the next digest.