Brown-Forman’s King of Kentucky brand will release a new Small Batch Collection in 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The limited-edition launch consists of three distinct batches of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey blended from barrels aged between 12 and 18 years.
The collection marks a new chapter for the brand, differing from its traditional annual Single Barrel expression, which will continue to be released in the fall.
Each batch in the Small Batch series is bottled at a different strength to showcase the complexity of its aging process. Batch 1 is bottled at 105 proof, Batch 2 at 107.5 proof, and Batch 3 at 110 proof.
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“For years, I’ve held onto these rare, aged barrels, waiting for a moment significant enough to share them,” said Chris Morris, Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus. “To celebrate the founding of our country with a whiskey of this caliber feels like the perfect tribute.”
The 2026 commemoration also marks the anniversary of the creation of Kentucky County, Virginia, which later became the state of Kentucky.
First created in 1881, the King of Kentucky brand was revived by Brown-Forman in 2018 and has become one of the most sought-after American whiskeys on the market.
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Some barrels selected for the collection experienced exceptionally high evaporation loss, with just 16% of the original liquid remaining after years of aging.
According to official notes from the brand, the 105-proof batch has aromas of chocolate and caramel, with smooth oak on the palate. The 107.5-proof expression offers dark fruit notes of dates and fig, while the 110-proof bottling is described as having rich chocolate and brown sugar, with a bold, oak-forward finish.
The King of Kentucky Small Batch series was crafted at the Brown-Forman Distillery in Shively, Kentucky.
The bourbons will be available in limited quantities across select U.S. markets for a suggested retail price of $299 per bottle.
