Don’t Blink: Repeal Day bangers, limited drops, and holiday happenings bourbon fans will miss if they hesitate

Pour one and settle in—this week was loaded with fresh bottles, festive happenings, and a few moves worth watching. We’re leading with the hottest new releases, sliding into big events, then wrapping with company news that could shape your bourbon shelf in 2026 and beyond.

New Releases

Old Forester’s Repeal Day stunner: 117 Series “Prohibition Era Still Proof” (130 proof, $65)

Old Forester loves a Repeal Day mic drop, and this year they’ve dialed it up to 130 proof at a wallet-friendly $65. Part of the 117 Series, this limited release leans into the brand’s history with a big, chewy proof that’s built for slow sipping and winter nights. Expect a barrel-forward ride with enough heat to warm up the whole porch.

If you’re hunting, move fast—Repeal Day drops don’t linger. Read more at Food & Wine.

Cathead Distillery Tintype #3 “Kenny Brown” expands the blues-inspired bourbon series

Mississippi’s Cathead is back with another riff in its Tintype series, this time honoring hill country blues legend Kenny Brown. It’s a limited-release, high-rye bourbon that threads Cathead’s music-first DNA into the juice itself—think lively spice, jammy sweetness, and a label with soul. If you’ve enjoyed earlier Tintype bottles, you’ll want to complete the set.

Details and availability via BevNet (Press Release).

Rabbit Hole teases its newest bourbon on local airwaves

Rabbit Hole’s latest bottle hit the spotlight this week, and while details are still tight, the distillery’s modernist approach suggests another layered pour with an eye-catching presentation. If past limiteds are any sign, expect swift sell-through and a high conversation-to-bottle ratio among collectors.

Catch the feature on WLKY.

Penelope “F*ck Cancer” bottling gets a thoughtful review

Penelope’s cause-driven release is making the rounds, and early notes call out a bright hit of orange layered over the brand’s signature approachable profile. As you’d expect with a charity-focused label, allocation is tight and demand’s high—if this one’s on your radar, don’t sleep on it.

Dive into the tasting notes at Breaking Bourbon.

Big Events

Buffalo Trace lights up the season with Spirited Nights

If your holiday plans route through Kentucky, Buffalo Trace’s signature evening event, Spirited Nights, is pure bourbon-season magic—think distillery glow-up, festive pours, and giftable goods crafted from real bourbon barrels by the on-site woodworkers. It’s one of those “you had to be there” experiences that sells out fast for a reason.

Get the details via the State Journal: Experience the holidays at Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Company News

Dunamis Premium Spirits says it’s “awakening sleeping giants”

Keep an eye on Dunamis. The brand is signaling aggressive moves in the bourbon space, with Founder & CEO Victor Young talking momentum and market share. We’ll see where the chips fall, but the tone here is expansion—and fast.

Read the announcement on PR Newswire.

Ingram Distillery sets an opening date for tours

Circle April 2026: Ingram’s bringing fans inside. Known for award-winning whiskies and a distinctive maturation style, the distillery’s tour program should add welcome depth to a brand that’s been steadily building its footprint. If you like pairing your pours with a little river lore, this will be worth the trip.

More from Fred Minnick: Ingram Distillery to Open for Tours in April 2026.

From milk to mash: a Vermont dairy’s organic bourbon play pays off

File this under “farm-to-barrel done right.” A Vermont dairy has leaned into organic bourbon to diversify, create new revenue, and draw visitors. The launch looks like a win so far—and it’s a great reminder that terroir and agriculture aren’t just buzzwords when you’re growing the grain and pouring the samples on-site.

Catch the story at EDairy News.

Heaven Hill highlights growth with RNDC partnership

A peek behind the distribution curtain: RNDC and Heaven Hill reflect on a long-running partnership that’s helped cement Heaven Hill’s status as the largest independent bourbon producer. Not flashy, but these are the gears that make national allocations and new programs possible.

Read the post at Heaven Hill.

That’s the pour for this week. Whether you’re chasing that 130-proof Old Forester or plotting a holiday detour to Buffalo Trace, may your luck be as strong as your palate. See you back on the porch next week.