The summer season is bringing a wave of new bourbon releases from Kentucky distilleries, with notable entries from Castle & Key Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, and Green River. Here’s what bourbon enthusiasts should keep an eye on this month:

Castle & Key Distillery: The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey Chapter 4

Castle & Key, in collaboration with the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, has rolled out The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey Chapter 4. This limited-edition bourbon, available at cask strength, showcases 73% Hickory King Corn, a historic grain that was popular in bourbon production a century ago.

This batch not only emphasizes sustainable farming practices—collaborating with Walnut Grove Farms for grain production—but also aims to amplify the narrative surrounding African American contributions to the whiskey industry. The story centers on Dallas Peters, a Black man from Kentucky whose life experiences are tied to the bourbon culture of his time. Tasting notes include baked brown sugar and snickerdoodle on the nose, with a palate of dark honey, fig jam, and a finish of toasted brown bread. The bourbon is priced at $175, with only 204 bottles available.

Derby City Gaming: The Great Gambit

Derby City Gaming introduces The Great Gambit, a 16-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This single barrel release comes with a striking Art Deco label and is inspired by the themes of risk and refinement found in "The Great Gatsby." With only 45 hand-numbered bottles available, it is bottled at 122.22 proof and priced at $1,200 for a 750ml bottle, offers a sensory experience reflective of its sophisticated branding.

Green River: U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Bourbon

In honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary, Green River has released a special commemorative bourbon. Aged between 4 to 7 years in hand-selected barrels, this bourbon boasts tasting notes of caramel, black cherry, and cocoa, with a robust 111.1 proof. It is available at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Heaven Hill: Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond

Heaven Hill has announced the release of Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond, revisiting a classic with a 100-proof wheated bourbon crafted from 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. The bourbon is praised for its balance of sweetness and rich depth, standing at a suggested retail price of $59.99.

Old Forester: Premium Cocktail Cherries

Expanding its portfolio, Old Forester has introduced premium cocktail cherries, made from amarena cherries in bourbon-infused syrup, designed to complement their whiskey offerings. Priced at $19.99, these cherries are available at select retailers.

RD1 Spirits: Kentucky Straight Whiskey Finished with Mizunara and French Oak

RD1 Spirits presents a limited release of Kentucky Straight Whiskey Finished with Japanese Mizunara and French Oak. This unique blend, which combines bourbon and rye whiskeys, won a gold medal at the New York International Spirits Competition. Tasting notes reveal complex flavors, including sandalwood and baking spices, with a suggested retail price of $69.99.

Kentucky’s bourbon landscape continues to thrive with these fresh releases, each emphasizing heritage, innovation, and the rich cultural narratives that surround bourbon production.