Bourbon Season Is in Full Swing!
B&M Digest, Volume II, Issue 04
Next week kicks off National Bourbon Week, and that means seven days packed with tastings, releases, and celebrations of America’s native spirit. Whether you’re raising a glass at home or heading to a barrel pick event, there’s no better time to be a bourbon fan. In this edition of Bourbon & Mead Digest, we’ve got some exciting new bottle drops, unique collaborations, and stories that remind us why we love this golden nectar. Let’s dive in.
Heaven Hill Drops More Accessible Old Fitz Bottled-in-Bond
Heaven Hill just made it easier for fans to get their hands on a piece of bourbon royalty with the release of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond. Unlike the highly coveted (and pricey) Old Fitz decanter series, this new release is designed for wider availability and a friendlier $60 price tag. Distilled from the same wheated mashbill (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley) and bottled at 100 proof, it echoes the legacy of the Stitzel-Weller era while hitting a “sweet spot” in aging, according to master distiller Conor O’Driscoll. Expect classic notes like graham cracker, honey, and brown sugar, all packed into a bottle that might just become your new go-to pour.
Old Forester’s Rare President’s Choice Goes National – Now with Rye
Old Forester just made a big move, announcing the national release of its ultra-rare President’s Choice bourbon—and for the first time, a President’s Choice Rye. Previously only sold at their Louisville distillery, this highly selective single barrel series is now hitting shelves (in limited quantities) across select markets. Aged 7–9 years and bottled at barrel strength (110–125 proof), each release is hand-picked for exceptional character by Master Taster Melissa Rift and Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo. Bottles start at $225 and represent the top tier of Old Forester’s lineup, bringing a once elusive Kentucky-only treasure to bourbon and rye lovers nationwide.
Redemption Drops a Rare 18-Year Bourbon That’s Already Winning Big
Redemption Whiskey is making waves with the release of its new 18-Year-Old Bourbon, a deeply aged, rye-forward expression limited to just 2,400 bottles. Part of its Ancients Series, this rare spirit was discovered and carefully matured under Master Blender Alan Kennedy’s watchful eye, achieving a remarkable balance of rich oak, cherry jam, spice, and subtle mint. Bottled at 103.4 proof and non-chill filtered, it’s crafted to appeal to seasoned collectors and adventurous sippers alike. Retailing at $399.99, it goes on sale Father’s Day via ReserveBar and select markets—and with Double Gold wins already in hand, this one’s expected to vanish fast.
Weller Antique 107 Takes Top Honors in 2025 Whiskey Competitions
Buffalo Trace's Weller Antique 107 continues to wow the bourbon world, recently earning the prestigious title of Spirit of the Year at the 2025 London Spirits Competition with a remarkable score of 99 points. On top of that, it was also named the World’s Best Wheated Bourbon at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition—a double accolade that cements its status as a top-shelf favorite for both judges and fans alike. These honors not only celebrate Weller’s exceptional craftsmanship and bold flavor but also solidify its reputation as one of the finest wheated bourbons available today. With a legacy dating back to the 1800s and a cult following to match, Weller Antique 107 is clearly in a league of its own.
Summer Queen Mead Release Party This Saturday in Columbus
Mark your calendars—Brothers Drake Meadery is throwing their Summer Queen Release Party this Saturday, June 7th, from 1–8 PM at their Columbus, Ohio meadery (1025 W 3rd Ave). It’s the official debut of their 2025 Summer Queenmead, and they’re celebrating in style with live music from Underworld Feast Salsa (3–7 PM), eats from YATS Cajun Creole food truck (2–6 PM), and desserts by Sweet Ghost (3–6 PM). Plus, a limited supply of their freshly bottled Queen Bee mead will be available while it lasts. It’s the perfect chance to sip summer in a glass and enjoy the vibrant local scene.
Penelope Bourbon Launches Cigar Sessions Chapter 1: A Whiskey Made for Smoke and Sip
Penelope Bourbon is diving deep into the cigar scene with Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, a bold new whiskey crafted specifically to complement medium-bodied cigars. Limited to just 7,500 cases, this unique blend combines Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey for a complex, smoky-sweet profile full of chocolate, caramel, tobacco, and stone fruit. Created in collaboration with master cigar blenders from Dissident and Stolen Throne, the 101-proof release is the first in an annual series aiming to elevate cigar-and-whiskey pairings to new heights. Priced at $79.99, it’s hitting select markets now and already making waves with aficionados and casual sippers alike.
Whiskey House of Kentucky Hit with $1.7M Lien Amid Legal Tangles
Just shy of a year after opening, Whiskey House of Kentucky is facing a $1.7 million lien from Buzick Construction over unpaid construction costs. The high-tech custom distillery in Elizabethtown, which has no in-house brands and instead distills for clients, was built for $120 million and has quickly become a production powerhouse. Despite CEO David Mandell downplaying the lien as a “minor blip,” the distillery is also entangled in a separate $5.1 million lawsuit against a client, Taj Mahal Barrels, for defaulting on a major contract. With $145 million in financing and big expansion plans, Whiskey House insists its footing is solid. Still, the situation echoes recent troubles at Garrard County Distillery and underscores the high stakes in Kentucky’s booming, but volatile, whiskey industry.
Olympics of Spirits Judging Returns to Bardstown for a Second Round
The International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), dubbed the “Olympics of the Drinks Industry,” is back in Bardstown, Kentucky, for its second straight year of judging American whiskey and Ready-to-Drink entries. This prestigious global competition, which sees 12,000 entries from over 90 countries, aims to spotlight standout spirits through rigorous, blind-tasting panels led by top experts like Dawn Davies, Master of Wine. Judging is no easy feat—palates are carefully managed with breaks and re-tasting to ensure fair results. With last year’s Gold Outstanding going to Louisville’s Peerless Distilling, expectations are high for another round of surprise winners when results are announced mid-June.
Wyoming Whiskey Honors Frontier Icon with Bold New Bourbon
Wyoming Whiskey is rolling out a new limited-edition six-year-old bourbon inspired by none other than Buffalo Bill Cody, the legendary frontiersman and showman who helped put Wyoming on the map. Dubbed simply Buffalo Bill Cody, this 97-proof release leans into bold, frontier flavors—think leather, tobacco, dark fruits, and spice—with a smooth finish of cherry, molasses, and candied ginger. Master blender Brendan Cook aimed to craft a bourbon that the legend himself would’ve sipped while riding across the West. Priced at $79.99, it hits select Wyoming retailers the week of June 9 and is already available at the Jackson Barrel House and Kirby Distillery Shop. It’s the latest in a trend of Wyoming whiskeys honoring state icons, including Grizzly 399 and Clifford Hansen.
RD1 Spirits Bridges Cultures with Globally Inspired ‘Sister Cities’ Whiskey
RD1 Spirits has released a globally inspired limited-edition whiskey that pays tribute to Lexington’s international “Sister Cities” ties with Japan and France. The 2025 Sister Cities expression is a blend of 5- and 7-year-old bourbon with 8-year-old rye, finished in both French Oak and Japanese Mizunara to showcase a fusion of cultures and flavors. With sandalwood, citrus blossom, and baking spice on the palate, this 102-proof whiskey scored 95 points and a gold medal at the 2025 New York International Spirits Competition. Just 1,500 cases are available for $69.99 through select retailers, RD1’s new distillery in Lexington, and online later this month. This release is more than just a sipping experience—it’s a cultural celebration in a bottle.
Castle & Key & KBBG Honor Untold Bourbon History with Chapter 4 Release
Castle & Key Distillery and the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild (KBBG) have teamed up once again to launch The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey: Chapter 4, a cask-strength, single-barrel bourbon featuring heirloom Hickory King corn and bottled at 52% ABV. Limited to just 204 bottles ($175 each), the release supports diversity and inclusion through full proceeds going to scholarships. Debuting at SoulFeast Week’s Juneteenth dinner at Kentucky’s first Black-owned organic farm, the release also highlights the legacy of Dallas Peters—a Black man integral to the Old Taylor Distillery (now Castle & Key), whose story reflects both contribution and injustice. This special edition continues Castle & Key’s mission to preserve both heritage grains and overlooked histories within bourbon’s rich tapestry.
Until Next Pour…
That wraps this week’s Bourbon & Mead Digest—just in time to stock your shelf (and maybe your suitcase) ahead of National Bourbon Week. Whether you’re chasing rare bottles, supporting meaningful releases, or just sipping something familiar on the porch, we hope you find something worth toasting. As always, stay curious, drink responsibly, and we’ll see you next week with more from the world of bourbon and mead. Cheers!
