Whiskey Roundup — Week of July 5–12, 2026

Independence Week brought a fitting celebration of American whiskey craftsmanship, with marquee releases from Kentucky powerhouses and Texas distilleries alike. From barrel-proof bourbon batches to innovative grain-to-glass experiments, this week’s lineup offers something for every palate—whether you’re chasing allocated bottles or exploring craft distillery gems.

This Week’s Headlines

• Sagamore Whiskey launches its High Rye Straight Bourbon nationwide on July 1st, bringing Maryland craftsmanship to a broader audience
• Booker’s “Milkshake Batch” 2026-02 arrives with seven-year-old barrel-strength bourbon at 124.4 proof
• Garrison Brothers unveils Ranch Reserve Series featuring two eight-year sherry-finished Texas bourbons
• Old Pulteney celebrates 200 years with ultra-premium 30 and 50-year-old anniversary releases from Scotland

New & Notable Releases

Bourbon

Booker’s Batch 2026-02 “The Milkshake Batch” takes center stage this month with a name inspired by legendary distiller Booker Noe’s favorite treat: a chocolate malted milkshake paired with bourbon. Bottled uncut and unfiltered at 124.4 proof after seven years in the barrel, this batch leans into caramel, baking spices, lemon citrus, cinnamon, and rich wood spice—though the promised milk chocolate notes play a subtler role. At $100-125 MSRP, it’s hitting shelves now.

Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass 3rd Edition continues the distillery’s exploration of heritage corn varieties with Beck’s 6269 non-GMO corn taking the spotlight. Distilled in 2019 with a mash bill of 52% corn, 35% wheat, and 13% malt, this six-year bourbon is bottled non-chill filtered at a robust 107.8 proof for $100. It’s a compelling case study in how grain selection shapes flavor from the very beginning.

Old Forester 117 Series: High Angels’ Share brings an intriguing production twist to the table. Set to drop in July at 115 proof in 375ml bottles, this small-batch expression uses barrels charred three times longer than Old Forester’s standard profile, pushing deeper into the caramelized wood sugars and complex flavor development that extended charring delivers.

Rye

Sagamore Whiskey High Rye Straight Bourbon officially went nationwide on July 1st, and while it’s technically a bourbon, that 25% rye content (plus 15% malted rye) gives it serious spice. This Maryland-made expression spent six years in new charred American white oak before being bottled at 54% ABV. At $50, it’s an accessible entry point into Sagamore’s portfolio, available at premium retailers nationwide or direct from the Baltimore distillery.

Stoll & Wolfe Wolfe & Wilson Straight Rye launched July 4th with a fascinating historical angle: its grain recipe draws from a late-1700s pamphlet by Frederick Heinrich Gelwicks, resulting in a unique blend of rye malt, wheat, rye, and oats fermented with wild yeast and cheese culture. Only 1,000 bottles of Batch 1 are available through the Lititz, Pennsylvania tasting room and online in the contiguous U.S.

Scotch

Old Pulteney’s 200th Anniversary offerings represent the upper echelon of Scotch collecting. The 1826-established distillery is marking two centuries with a 50-year-old limited to just 200 bottles and a 30-year-old edition housed in 1,000 crystal decanters. Both feature maturation in American and European oak, though pricing hasn’t been disclosed—expect these to command serious investment.

Ardbeg Dolce returns as the 2026 Ardbeg Day release from Islay’s peat-forward icon, offering the distillery’s signature smoke with a twist. Details on the finish and proof remain under wraps, but Ardbeg Day releases have become collector favorites year after year.

Irish & Japanese

Indri Founder’s Reserve 11 Year Old made waves this month despite hailing from India, not Ireland—but it’s worth noting for fans of world whisky innovation. This award-winning single malt spent 11 years in ex-Bordeaux red wine barrels before being bottled at 58.5% ABV. Limited to 1,100 bottles worldwide at £350 each, it sold out within weeks at Harrods in London, signaling growing global appetite for premium Indian whisky.

Teeling’s fourth wood exploration release brings Irish pot still whiskey into the spotlight with triple-distilled Dublin spirit matured in virgin Carpathian oak barrels—a rare choice that imparts distinct spice and tannin structure compared to the typical ex-bourbon or sherry casks.

Craft & Limited Editions

Blade and Bow 12-Year-Old Solera Reserve breaks the mold by starting as 12-year-old Kentucky bourbon, then blending it with liquid finished in Cognac, Bordeaux, Moscatel, and Port casks. The result? Hints of red fruit, dried fig, currant, almond toffee, and dark cherry at 52% ABV for $64.99. It’s an ambitious wine-meets-whiskey experiment from the Stitzel-Weller Distillery.

Barrell Batch 038 celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with an eight-year bourbon blend sourced from multiple states and bottled at 116.96 proof. Barrell’s reputation for meticulous barrel selection and blending precision makes this one to watch at $85.

Texas Distillery Spotlight

Garrison Brothers dropped a one-two punch on June 27th with the new Ranch Reserve Series, featuring two eight-year Texas bourbons finished in premium sherry casks. The PX Sherry Cask finish brings lush dried fruit and chocolate notes, while the Oloroso Sherry Cask adds nutty complexity and spice. Both clock in at $149.99 and represent Garrison Brothers’ continued push into ultra-premium territory.

Located in Hye, Texas (about an hour west of Austin), Garrison Brothers has been flying the flag for Texas bourbon since 2006, becoming the state’s first legal whiskey distillery. Their hot climate aging accelerates maturation, giving these eight-year expressions a depth you’d typically find in older Kentucky bourbon. The Ranch Reserve series marks a bold step into finished whiskeys, a category Garrison Brothers has historically approached with caution—these are their first sherry-finished releases.

If you’re in Central Texas, the Garrison Brothers distillery offers tours and tastings by reservation, and the Hill Country drive alone is worth the trip.

What We’re Pouring This Week

If you can find Booker’s Milkshake Batch on the shelf, grab it—Booker’s batches tend to move fast, and this one’s namesake story alone makes it a conversation starter. For everyday sipping, Sagamore’s High Rye Bourbon at $50 offers serious bang for the buck with that Maryland grain-forward character and spicy finish.

On the higher end, Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass 3rd Edition is a must-try for anyone interested in how terroir and grain selection influence flavor. It’s academic and delicious in equal measure. And if you’re feeling adventurous, Blade and Bow’s 12-Year Solera Reserve brings wine-cask complexity without veering into over-oaked territory—those Bordeaux and Port notes are subtle and sophisticated.

On the Horizon

August will bring the tail end of summer releases before fall’s big guns start rolling out. Expect more details on Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection dates, which typically anchor the autumn allocated bottle season. Russell’s Reserve 13-Year continues to trickle into select markets—if your local shop gets an allocation, don’t hesitate.

Marcus Aurelius reminds us in Meditations: “Confine yourself to the present.” In whiskey terms, that means savoring what’s in your glass now rather than endlessly chasing the next release. This week’s lineup offers plenty worth being present for.