BOURBON NEWS: September Bourbon Releases...and One Is Throwing a Birthday Sweepstakes!
By Pegasus Tours
September 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for bourbon enthusiasts and whiskey collectors, bringing a wave of highly anticipated releases that are sure to generate buzz across the industry. Leading the charge is the annual arrival of Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2026, a limited expression that whiskey fans eagerly await for its unique blend and carefully matured character. Also drawing significant attention is the coveted Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, with enthusiasts watching closely for details surrounding this year's selection window and release process. Adding even more excitement to the season, Redemption Whiskey is expanding its presence with new nationally available bottled-in-bond expressions, giving drinkers across the country greater access to age-stated, federally regulated whiskeys that highlight traditional production standards.
Together, these releases make September one of the most anticipated months of the year for American whiskey fans, offering a mix of collectible limited editions, heritage brands, and exciting new additions to the bourbon landscape.
Highlighted September 2026 Releases
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged (2026 Release)
The Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026 Release is a limited-edition, cask-strength wheated bourbon. It features a blend of 49% 11-year-old, 33% 12-year-old, and 18% 14-year-old whisky. Bottled at 112.1 proof, it has a suggested retail price of $175 USD and launches nationwide on September 1, 2026.
Blend and Aging Details
Initial aging: Matured in traditional Kentucky rickhouses for about 7 years.
Cellar aging: Moved to a LEED-certified, climate-controlled limestone cellar for additional aging to prevent excessive wood tannin.
Composition: 49% 11-year, 33% 12-year, and 18% 14-year-old bourbon (marking the highest percentage of 14-year-old whiskey used in the series so far).
Proof: 112.1 proof (56.05% ABV).
Tasting Notes
Nose: Dark cherry, clove, vanilla bean, and soft orchard fruit.
Palate: Rich honey, brown sugar, and ripe plum.
Finish: Silky and warming with lingering notes of almond, nutmeg, and crisp green apple.
Availability and Events
U.S. Release: Hits shelves nationwide starting September 1, 2026.
International Rollout: Follows in select global markets and travel retail later into 2026 and 2027.
Distillery Experiences: Special behind-the-scenes Cellar Aged distillery tours begin September 14, 2026.
Learn more here.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is a rare, vintage-dated limited-edition whiskey released annually on September 2nd to honor company founder George Garvin Brown. It is prized for its single-day distillation origin, distinct single-season profile, advanced age statement, and high collector demand that drives steep secondary market values.
Key Aspects of Birthday Bourbon
Single-Day Batching: Every barrel in a specific annual release comes from the exact same day of production.
Vintage Dated: Each bottle carries a specific age statement (commonly around 12 years) and year of distillation.
Unique Profiles: Master tasters hand-select barrels from specific heat-cycled warehouses, meaning no two annual releases ever taste identical.
Extreme Scarcity: Production yields are limited to a few thousand bottles, creating high collectibility alongside a $200 MSRP that often surges on the secondary market.
A bourbon birthday sweepstakes is an online lottery-style random drawing hosted by Old Forester to give fans the chance to purchase a rare, limited-edition bottle of Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, which honors founder George Garvin Brown's September 2nd birthday. Winning the sweepstakes means you earn the right to buy one bottle at retail price, not that you get a free bottle.
Key Rules and Details
The Cost: Winners win an allocation, meaning you still must pay the retail price (MSRP) of $199.99 for the bottle.
In-Person Pickup: You must travel to the Old Forester Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, in person to buy and collect your bottle. Proxy pickups are not allowed.
No General Lineup: Because allocation is handled via the digital sweepstakes, the distillery does not host an open, first-come, first-served line on the actual release day.
Learn more here.
Redemption Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon
Redemption Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon is a 6-year-old, 100-proof high-rye whiskey priced at a suggested retail price of $49.99. Releasing in September 2026 as the kickoff for Redemption Whiskey's relaunched Higher Marques Collection, it uniquely combines strict bottled-in-bond rules with single-barrel variation.
Key Details
Age: 6 years (two years older than the bottled-in-bond minimum)
Proof / ABV: 100 proof / 50% ABV
Mash Bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Price: $49.99 for a 750mL bottle
Availability: National roll-out starting September 2026 as an ongoing
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Flavor Profile
Nose: Vanilla, worn leather, bright raspberry, and light oak.
Palate: Crème brûlée, sweet corn, toasted oak, and baking spices.
Finish: Warm caramel, oak, and lingering spice.
Learn more here.
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon is a highly coveted, limited-edition Texas straight bourbon whiskey released annually by the Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas. Known for its immense power and bold profile, it is bottled uncut, unfiltered, and at cask-strength. Because its alcohol content frequently surpasses 140 proof, whiskey enthusiasts routinely classify it as a "hazmat" bourbon.
Key Specifications (2025 Edition)
Proof: 146.4 Proof (73.2% ABV)
Age: Aged 6 to 8 years in the extreme heat of Texas barrel barns
Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 15% Wheat, 11% Malted Barley
Production Size: Limited to 10,000 bottles
Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $249.99
Flavor Profile & Tasting Notes
The harsh climate swings of the Texas Hill Country accelerate the bourbon's interaction with the oak barrels, creating a dark, syrupy, and incredibly viscous liquid.
Nose: Intense aromas of dark chocolate, molasses, leather, toasted marshmallow, and a hint of gun smoke.
Palate: A massive, fiery explosion of black pepper and cooking spices balanced by deep notes of caramel, dark fruits (plum, apricot), and Texas oak. Industry reviewers often note a distinct sweet-and-savory complexity reminiscent of root beer, cola, and salted taffy.
Finish: Long, warming, and bold, leaving lingering flavors of cinnamon, wood sugars, and dried grains.
Collectibility and Availability
Because Cowboy Bourbon is built from master distiller Donnis Todd's absolute favorite hand-selected barrels, it sells out rapidly upon release. It is highly sought after by collectors, and while the official price sits around $250, secondary retailers frequently mark it up closer to $300 or more.
Bib & Tucker Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (8-Year-Old)
Bib & Tucker 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is the brand's first-ever bottled-in-bond expression. This Tennessee small-batch high-rye bourbon was selected and blended by Apprentice Blender James Joseph under the mentorship of Master Blender Alan Kennedy. It features a suggested retail price of $64.99 per 750mL bottle and is scheduled for nationwide release in September 2026.
Key Product Specifications
Proof: 100 proof (50% ABV), as federally mandated by the Bottled-in-Bond Act.
Age: 8 years old, which is double the 4-year minimum required for bonded whiskeys.
Distillation: Crafted from barrels distilled during a single distillation season in Spring 2018.
Awards: Pre-released to critical acclaim, earning a Gold Medal and 92 points at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Tasting Notes & Profile
According to official distillery notes, the flavor and aroma profile includes:
Aroma: Vanilla custard layered over seasoned oak with warm, cream-like sweetness.
Palate: Initial waves of crème brûlée, leather, and hickory wood spice.
Finish: A long, structured finish highlighting subtle notes of dried apricot and honeysuckle.
Where to Buy
Starting September 2026, you can find the release at nationwide liquor retailers like Total Wine or online whiskey boutiques like Blackwell's Wines.
Learn more here.
Final Pour
Whether you're a seasoned collector chasing the year's most sought-after bottles or simply a whiskey fan looking for something new to pour and enjoy, September 2026 promises plenty to raise a glass to. From limited-edition releases that will have enthusiasts lining up before sunrise to exciting new expressions making their nationwide debut, this month's lineup showcases the creativity, craftsmanship, and tradition that make American whiskey so captivating. As these bottles begin hitting shelves, one thing is certain: bourbon season is in full swing, and there's never been a better time to explore what's new, revisit old favorites, and toast to another memorable year in whiskey.
Cheers to another month of great spirits and even better stories!
Pegasus Tours
DID YOU KNOW?
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Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not represent any endorsement by Pegasus.
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