British-based drink giant Diageo, owner of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in the Louisville, Kentucky suburb of Shively, has announced the release of Stitzel Reserve 24 Year Old Bourbon. The crafting of the new brand and expression was directed by Nicole Austin, better known as the Master Distiller of Cascade Hollow/George Dickel, also owned by Diageo. The nine barrels behind this ultra-aged release were selected by Austin, yielding just 191 bottles. This year kicks off a new annual limited edition series, with more ultra-aged bourbon expected to come.
“At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country,” said Austin. “The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery. It’s a celebration of the past and a bold step forward. This exceptional 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has spent decades maturing under careful supervision, developing a profile rich with notes of cracked leather, saddle oil, and burnt sugar. It embodies the craftsmanship and dedication that defines Stitzel-Weller Distillery.”
Stitzel-Weller ceased production in 1992, some 33 years ago, and the fact sheet indicated the barrels were laid down in 1999. So, this are not the same Stitzel-made bourbon that lent Van Winkle so much of its fame, and Diageo is not claiming this is wheated bourbon. Ironically, Diageo closed the bottling line at Stitzel-Weller this past April, so the new whiskey may or may not have even been dumped and bottled there. However, it could have been aged in the property’s rickhouses, but that detail is not spoken of in any material. The whiskey is bottled at cask strength of 61.7% ABV.
The 2025 bottling is available for sale on-site at the distillery later this month. Individual serves of the new whiskey are also available through a bespoke tasting experience at the Garden & Gun Club at Stitzel-Weller Distillery, and will include an etched whiskey glass with a branded bag and a limited edition Stitzel-Weller Distillery pin with purchase. Befitting of its rarity, pricing of the 750mL bottle will be available upon request at the distillery.
