Brother Justus Whiskey Company has unveiled Founder’s Reserve IV (2026), the fourth annual expression in its limited-edition American whiskey series. The Minneapolis distillery is releasing fewer than 1,000 bottles of the 55% ABV whiskey, priced at $149.99 (£111) for a 750ml bottle.
The whiskey is made from 100% two-row pale ale malted barley and aged in new, charred Minnesota white oak barrels. It was drawn from 25 barrels, aged between two and four years, using single- and double-distilled spirit.
Each Founder’s Reserve expression is distinct and never repeated, according to the distillery.
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READ THE STORY“Our Founder’s Reserve never repeats itself, because the whiskey always has something new to reveal. This year, it was stone fruit and the image it brought with it: a slow breakfast in sunshine, nowhere to be,” said founder and CEO Phil Steger.
Steger added: “Twenty-five barrels, two to four years old, single- and double-distilled yielded a gradually unfolding fruit jam over fresh butter and rye bread that earns every sip.”
The release follows a year of accolades for the distillery. Founder’s Reserve III (2025) placed fourth on whiskey expert Fred Minnick’s annual list of the top 100 American whiskeys, and was named his personal favorite of the year.
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The brand’s flagship American Whiskey earned 97 points, Double Gold, and Best of Class Finalist honors at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Founder’s Reserve I (2023) previously received the same recognition.
According to the official notes from the brand, the whiskey has a nose of dried apricot, sage, blackberry, and brown bread. The palate offers marmalade, brown sugar, herbed butter, and toasted sesame seed, while the finish carries rye cracker, walnut, and wildflower honey. Its color is described as orange topaz.
Founder’s Reserve IV (2026) is available online, at the Distillery Bottle Shop in Minneapolis, and at select liquor stores in Minnesota and Illinois.
A one-night celebration will take place at the Minneapolis distillery on Thursday, 17 September, offering free samples of the new whiskey. Registration is required.
Brother Justus was founded in Minneapolis in 2014 and sources all ingredients—barley, water, oak, and peat—from Minnesota. The company also plans to release six Single Barrel Selections later this fall.
