Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection 2026 Release

Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection — 2026, Series #3 Five Historic Whiskeys, Reborn — Set of 5 x 375mL From 1920 to 1933, the 18th Amendment banned the production, sale, and transportation of alcohol across the United States. Only six distilleries were granted federal licenses to legally bottle medicinal whiskey for sale by prescription — and one of them was the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, known today as Buffalo Trace, the longest continually operating distillery in America. The Prohibition Collection is Buffalo Trace's annual tribute to that era, resurrecting whiskey brands that were legally produced and sold at the distillery while nearly the entire American whiskey industry sat dormant. This third edition, drawn from the distillery's own historical archives, brings five long-forgotten brands back to life: Henry Watterson, Kentucky River, John G. Carlisle, Walter B. Duffy, and Cove Spring — each bottled under President Albert B. Blanton's leadership during the Prohibition era. "The Prohibition Collection gives us the opportunity to bring important chapters of our Distillery's history back to life," said Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. "Each year, we uncover stories, brands and whiskey traditions that might otherwise have been lost to time." Each of the five 375mL bottles recreates the appearance and size of its Prohibition-era counterpart, right down to the back label's cut-out for a doctor's prescription — a legal requirement to purchase whiskey during Prohibition. The full set arrives in a custom wooden display case featuring archival imagery. Henry Watterson — Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Henry Watterson was a U.S. Congressman and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for his outspoken anti-Prohibition views. His public support for distilleries led to his likeness being used on a whiskey brand distributed by several companies, including George T. Stagg. Today's tribute is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 140.6 proof — a bold rye bursting with rye spice, citrus peel, and fresh green herbs, with a palate of zesty citrus, cedarwood, thyme, and mint, finishing long, dry, and energetic. Kentucky River — Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys Kentucky River pays tribute to the former Kentucky River Distillery, previously known as Carlisle Distillery and later rebranded under Albert Blanton's leadership, which honored the river's vital role in transporting goods, people, and materials. Under Blanton, the distillery tripled in size. This 100-proof blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys offers aromas of honeyed grain, vanilla, and caramelized sugar, with a rounded palate of baked apple and gentle oak, finishing smooth and polished with warm pastry notes. John G. Carlisle — Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bottled in Bond John G. Carlisle, a prominent U.S. Congressman, was one of the key architects behind the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. A steadfast ally of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr., Carlisle shared Taylor's vision for elevating quality and consumer trust in the spirits industry — a bond that inspired Taylor to build the Carlisle Distillery adjacent to the O.F.C. Distillery. This 100-proof bourbon layers rye-driven spice over toasted nuts and caramelized grain, with bright orchard fruit and subtle tropical notes balanced by vanilla, oak, and warm baking spices, finishing dry with lingering spice and restrained sweetness. Walter B. Duffy — Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Following George T. Stagg's death in 1893, Walter B. Duffy became sole owner of the O.F.C. Distillery, operating it from New York and ultimately appointing Albert B. Blanton president in 1921 — a decision that would help shape the distillery's legacy. A blend of 10- and 14-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons bottled at 107 proof, this tribute opens with graham cracker, toasted corn, and oak, layered with dried fig, raisin, and date, leading to a long, refined finish of rich sweetness, structured oak, subtle anise, and gentle spice. Cove Spring — Uncut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Named for the spring that fueled the distillery's earliest growth, Cove Spring honors a vital piece of Buffalo Trace history — in 1804, a stone dam and overflow tower transformed the spring into a reservoir, supplying water to the operation that would become O.F.C. Distillery. This uncut, wheated bourbon is bottled at 120.2 proof, offering aromas of red cherry, toasted coconut, and oak, with a rich, fruit-forward palate of sweet corn and spice, finishing long and balanced with red fruit, toasted oak, and lingering warmth. What's Included Henry Watterson Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — 140.6 Proof, Uncut & Unfiltered Kentucky River Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys — 100 Proof John G. Carlisle Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bottled in Bond — 100 Proof Walter B. Duffy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (10 & 14 Yr Blend) — 107 Proof Cove Spring Uncut, Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon — 120.2 Proof Why Collectors Seek This Out Third annual edition of Buffalo Trace's celebrated Prohibition Collection Five distinct, historically inspired whiskeys in one collector set Drawn directly from Buffalo Trace's own archival records and Prohibition-era packaging Includes a rare 14-year-aged component (Walter B. Duffy) and an uncut 140.6-proof rye (Henry Watterson) Packaged in a custom wooden display case with archival imagery Extremely limited U.S. availability Product Details Set Includes 5 Bottles x 375mL Distillery Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley Packaging Custom Wooden Display Case with Archival Imagery Release 2026 — Series #3, Limited Edition Please drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection? It's an annual, limited-edition set from Buffalo Trace Distillery honoring whiskey brands that were legally produced and sold at the distillery — then known as George T. Stagg Distillery — during Prohibition, when only six U.S. distilleries were licensed to bottle medicinal whiskey. What's included in the 2026 Series #3 set? Five 375mL bottles: Henry Watterson (Kentucky Straight Rye, 140.6 proof), Kentucky River (Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys, 100 proof), John G. Carlisle (Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, 100 proof), Walter B. Duffy (10 & 14-year Bourbon blend, 107 proof), and Cove Spring (uncut wheated Bourbon, 120.2 proof). Are these real historical brands? Yes. Each of the five brands was a genuine whiskey label bottled and sold at George T. Stagg Distillery during Prohibition. Buffalo Trace drew on its own historical archives to recreate the labels, packaging, and stories behind each one, then interpreted them using contemporary whiskey. Why are the bottles only 375mL instead of standard 750mL? Each bottle is intentionally sized and styled to match its original Prohibition-era counterpart, including a back-label cutout replicating the prescription slot required to legally purchase whiskey during Prohibition. Which bottle in the set is the oldest? Walter B. Duffy is the oldest expression in the set, a blend of 10- and 14-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbons. Which bottle has the highest proof? Henry Watterson, the Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 140.6 proof — the highest proof in the collection. Is this a limited release? Yes. The Prohibition Collection is released annually in limited quantities. This third edition is available at select retailers, bars, and restaurants through Sazerac's U.S. distributor network while supplies last.