Whiskey Roundup — Week of September 6–12, 2026

September has arrived with a bang, signaling the unofficial start of fall whiskey season. This week brings a stellar lineup of releases spanning cask-strength wheated bourbons, age-statement ryes hitting bottled-in-bond standards, and Scotland’s latest single malt innovations. From everyday sippers to hazmat-proof Texas legends, here’s everything you need to know about what’s hitting shelves and distillery doors right now.

This Week’s Headlines

• Maker’s Mark launches its 2026 Cellar Aged expression with the highest percentage of 14-year-old whiskey in the series
• Garrison Brothers releases the 141-proof 2026 Cowboy Bourbon at the distillery on September 12
• Sagamore Whiskey debuts an 8-year bottled-in-bond rye nationally, showcasing Baltimore distilling excellence
• Scotland delivers exceptional new releases including a 31-year-old peated Loch Lomond and Ardbeg’s limited Dolce

New & Notable Releases

Bourbon

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026 arrived nationwide on September 1st, and this year’s blend is particularly compelling. The limited-edition, cask-strength wheated bourbon features 49% 11-year-old, 33% 12-year-old, and 18% 14-year-old whiskey—the highest percentage of 14-year-old ever used in the series. Bottled at 112.1 proof and priced at $175, this expression showcases the depth that extended aging brings to Maker’s Mark’s signature soft red wheat profile.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is expected to drop around September 2nd, marking the annual birthday celebration of founder George Garvin Brown. This vintage-dated release is widely considered the official kickoff to fall’s allocated bourbon season, and enthusiasts are already tracking selection windows at their local retailers.

Bulleit ’87 represents something entirely new from the brand: the first-ever blend of Bulleit’s signature bourbon and rye whiskeys in a single bottle. Available nationwide beginning this month at $29.99, the 90-proof expression offers an accessible entry point into blended American whiskey, with each component specifically developed for its role in the final profile.

Bib & Tucker 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon meets the rigorous federal standards with whiskey aged twice the four-year minimum requirement. At 100 proof and hitting shelves nationally this month, it’s positioned as a strong value play in the bottled-in-bond category.

Rye

Sagamore Whiskey Bottled in Bond Straight Rye launched nationally on September 1st, bringing Baltimore distilling to the forefront with an 8-year expression crafted at Sagamore’s own facility. Distilled in spring 2018 and adhering strictly to the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, this rye is available at select premium retailers and the Baltimore distillery for $59.99. It’s a showcase of what modern American rye distilling can achieve with patience and attention to detail.

Remus Repeal Reserve Rye Whiskey marks the brand’s first-ever venture into rye territory. The limited release hits select retailers nationwide this September at $79.99 while supplies last, expanding the popular Remus Repeal Reserve collection beyond its bourbon roots.

Hard Truth Dark Roast Rye debuts as the featured release at the distillery’s Harvest Festival in Nashville, Indiana, on September 26th. This bottled-in-bond expression blends two award-winning mash bills—RW-3 Chocolate Malt Rye and RW-4 Caramel Malt Rye—in equal parts, creating what the distillery calls the third expression in its 2026 Master Distiller’s Reserve series.

Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye returns for its annual release, continuing the brand’s practice of finishing rye whiskey in custom toasted barrels for added complexity and sweetness.

Scotch

Scotland delivered some serious heavyweight releases this month. Jackton Distillery officially launched its inaugural RAER Single Malt Scotch Whisky on September 4th, drawing from bourbon, Pedro Ximénez, Amontillado, and Oloroso sherry casks and bottled at 48.7% ABV. It’s a confident debut from a distillery ready to make its mark.

Ardbeg Dolce, the limited-edition Ardbeg Day 2026 release, brings Islay’s signature peat smoke to the party. Meanwhile, Loch Lomond unveiled a stunning 31-year-old peated expression, proving that Highland distilleries can compete with Islay when it comes to smoke and age.

The Glendronach released an anniversary bottling celebrating two centuries of Highland whisky making, while The Dalmore experimented with Semisecco Marsala barriques. The Macallan concluded its Harmony Collection with a pair of coconut-inspired single malts, bringing the series to a tropical close.

Irish & Japanese

While this week was quieter on the Irish and Japanese front, both regions continue their upward trajectory. Ireland’s distilleries are gearing up for autumn releases, and Japan’s whisky renaissance shows no signs of slowing. Auction activity at WhiskyAuction 2026-09, closing September 19th, features exceptional bottles from both regions for collectors looking to add rarities to their shelves.

Craft & Limited Editions

Virginia Distillery Co. expanded The Brewer’s Coalition series with two new American single malt whiskies finished in casks from renowned breweries. With just six barrels of each expression released in September, these limited offerings are available online, at select retailers, and at the Virginia distillery itself.

Angel’s Envy released approximately 18,000 bottles of a 375ml expression, sold exclusively at the Louisville distillery starting September 10th for $54.99. Oak & Grist Distilling Company is releasing one of the oldest whiskeys in its history this month, while Atlanta Distillery showcased its signature offerings with Cigar Batch #4, built from more than 50 individually matured finishing casks.

Texas Distillery Spotlight

Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas, is bringing the heat this Saturday, September 12th, with the release of the 2026 Cowboy Bourbon—the 12th edition of this legendary cask-strength expression. Bottled at a scorching 141 proof, this uncut and unfiltered Texas straight bourbon comes from barrels hand-selected by Master Distiller Donnis Todd, each aged for at least eight years to achieve unparalleled depth and complexity.

The first 1,000 bottles of the 16,000-bottle release go on sale at 8 a.m. at the distillery, with the remaining bottles distributed to select accounts nationwide. At $250 per bottle, Cowboy Bourbon remains one of the most sought-after releases in American whiskey, and this year’s hazmat-level proof ensures it’ll live up to the hype.

Garrison Brothers is also rolling out the 2026 Laguna Madre at select accounts this month, priced at $349.99. Named after the coastal lagoon along the Texas Gulf Coast, this ultra-premium expression represents the pinnacle of what Texas bourbon can be.

What We’re Pouring This Week

If you’re looking for something special to crack open, the Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026 delivers serious value at $175 for a cask-strength wheated bourbon with significant age. For rye fans, the Sagamore Bottled in Bond is calling your name—8 years of Baltimore-made whiskey at a fair price point is hard to pass up. And if you can make the pilgrimage to Hye, Texas, this Saturday, the Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon release is an event worth experiencing, even if you don’t score a bottle. The distillery always puts on a great show, and you’ll be surrounded by fellow whiskey lovers who appreciate the craft.

On the Horizon

Keep your eyes peeled for the remaining fall allocated releases, including more Buffalo Trace Antique Collection announcements and the annual Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. Distilleries are loading up for the holiday season, and October promises to bring even more high-profile drops. As Marcus Aurelius wrote in Meditations, “Confine yourself to the present”—enjoy what’s in your glass today, but stay ready for what’s coming next.