Sips & Sites & Bites

At the intersection of history and rarity, Stitzel-Weller Distillery has opened its vault. Introducing Stitzel Reserve, a new distillery-exclusive series designed to spotlight the artistry and patience behind exceptional American whiskey. And the first release isn’t easing into the spotlight … it’s arriving with the weight of 24 years in the barrel.

The debut expression, Stitzel Reserve 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, was personally selected and blended by Nicole Austin, director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities at Diageo. With just 191 bottles pulled from nine handpicked barrels, this is not only an ultra-rare release, it’s a statement … both about the legacy of the iconic distillery and where it’s headed next.

The whiskey has spent nearly a quarter-century aging inside Stitzel-Weller’s historic warehouses, developing an unapologetically bold profile: cracked leather, saddle oil, burnt sugar, and enough gravitas to make you slow down and savor every drop. At 61.7% ABV, it’s big, complex, and carries the kind of depth that only time can teach.

Austin’s approach to the blend is less about checking boxes and more about capturing maturity at its peak. “Each release in the Stitzel Reserve line will arrive when it’s ready, not on a schedule,” she says. That ethos puts flavor and craftsmanship ahead of production timelines … a refreshing reminder that not everything good has to move fast.

The 24-Year-Old release will be available exclusively on-site later in June, and it’s more than just a bottle purchase. Guests at the distillery can opt for a premium tasting at the Garden & Gun Club, which includes a serve of the whiskey, a branded etched glass with a custom bag, and a limited edition Stitzel-Weller pin. It’s an experience tailored to those who want to taste history … literally.

Price? It’s not listed, and that’s by design. With so few bottles and so much behind them, this one is meant for those willing to seek it out and experience it in person.

Stitzel Reserve is more than a new label. It’s a reverent nod to bourbon tradition, a flex of flavor mastery, and a collectible series that’s just getting started. Some stories are worth waiting decades to hear. This is one of them.