Rock Town Distillery Announces Inaugural Winners Circle 2026 Bourbon Release

Little Rock, AR — Rock Town Distillery announces the release of Winners Circle 2026, the first bottling in a new annual limited-edition bourbon series that celebrates craftsmanship, racing tradition, and original Arkansas artistry.

Distilled from Arkansas corn, Arkansas wheat, and malted barley and aged six years, Winners Circle is bottled at 101 proof in tribute to the home stretch, a nod to both the intensity of racing and the patience required to craft exceptional bourbon.

This inaugural release marks the beginning of an annual series celebrating racing through commissioned artwork by local artists, with each year’s label and bottling created once and never repeated.

The first release features original artwork by Arkansas artist Michael Shaeffer, whose expressive watercolor style brings movement and emotion to the label. Shaeffer, who is based in Little Rock and attended high school in Hot Springs, draws from a deep personal connection to Arkansas’ horse racing culture, particularly the legacy of Oaklawn Racing in Hot Springs.

“We wanted this series to feel rooted in place and time,” said Phil Brandon, Founder and Head Distiller of Rock Town Distillery. “Shaeffer’s work captures the motion, discipline, and anticipation that exist both in racing and in bourbon making. Pairing his art with this first release felt like the right way to set the tone for what Winners Circle will become.”

Availability

Winners Circle 2026 will be available in limited quantities beginning the week of March 23 at the Rock Town Distillery tasting room and select Arkansas and Oklahoma liquor stores. Once this release is gone, it will not be reproduced.

Release Events

To celebrate the launch of the Winners Circle series, Rock Town Distillery will host two ticketed events inspired by racing season and Kentucky Derby tradition.

On Thursday, March 26 from 4:30–7:00 PM, Rock Town will host an exclusive happy hour release party at M2 Gallery in Little Rock. The gallery was selected intentionally, as it is where Michael Shaeffer works and regularly exhibits his artwork, and it sits directly across the street from the distillery. The space creates a natural extension of the collaboration, allowing guests to experience the artwork in its home setting while celebrating the bourbon it inspired.

Tickets for the event will go on sale March 10th. Guests will enjoy Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours alongside light Derby-inspired fare. When purchasing tickets, attendees will have the option to preorder up to two bottles of Winners Circle 2026, as well as preorder limited-edition prints of the original label artwork by Michael Shaeffer.

Rock Town will also host a ticketed Barrel House Kentucky Derby Watch Party on Saturday, May 2 from 5:00–9:00 PM at the distillery. Guests will gather to watch the Kentucky Derby, often referred to as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” while enjoying a limited Derby cocktail menu. Tickets include two complimentary cocktails, with Mint Juleps, Old Fashioneds, and Whiskey Sours featured throughout the celebration. A Kentucky Derby-inspired buffet will be served, and prizes will be awarded for Best Hat and Best Dressed. Attendees will also have the option to add a bottle of Winners Circle 2026 to their ticket purchase as well as prints of the original label artwork by Michael Shaeffer..

With its commissioned artwork and limited production, Winners Circle 2026 is a one-of-a-kind collectible, created for this moment and never again. Future releases in the series will continue annually, each featuring new artwork and its own distinct identity.

For additional information, interview requests, or images, please contact our head of marketing, Abbey Rolfe at abbey@rocktowndistillery.com.

About Rock Town Distillery

Founded in 2010, Rock Town Distillery is Arkansas’ first legal distillery since Prohibition. Known for its grain-to-glass philosophy and commitment to intentional production, Rock Town creates spirits that reflect both place and process.

About Michael Shaeffer

Michael Shaeffer is an Arkansas-based artist whose watercolor work explores movement, memory, and narrative. With roots in both Little Rock and Hot Springs, Shaeffer’s work often draws from Arkansas’ cultural landscape, making his contribution to Winners Circle 2026 a natural extension of the series’ vision.

MARCH AUCTION ENDS SUNDAY!

The auction is closing soon, but there’s still time to place your bid on this extraordinary Macallan 25 Years Old Sherry Oak (Pre-2018). Matured for 25 years in carefully selected Spanish Oak casks, this legendary expression is rich, complex, and highly sought after — a true centerpiece for any distinguished whisky collection.

This 16-year-old Flora and Fauna from Dailuaine is the only official bottling from the Speyside distillery. Part of the acclaimed 1991 series, it features the iconic white capsule from the first editions — a rare and highly collectible whisky for serious enthusiasts.

Gordon & MacPhail “Exclusive Range” showcases rare, limited single malt whiskies personally selected by the Urquhart family. This Balblair 1986 was matured in a single Refill Sherry Hogshead (#12648) and bottled in 2010, one of just 250 bottles — a true collector’s piece.

Talisker 17 Years Old – Manager’s Dram. These insider bottlings have long been reserved for distillery staff across the Diageo portfolio. Each year, a single distillery is selected and the distillery manager chooses the finest casks to create that year’s release, bottled at natural cask strength in very limited numbers. This example was distilled at Talisker, matured for 17 years, and bottled in 2011.

Final call. These are just a handful of the old, rare, and highly collectable bottles in our March auction — and time is running out. Head to clickwhiskyauctions.com to explore the full lineup and register to bid now. Don’t miss out — you’ve got to be in it to win it. Auction closes Sunday 22^nd March from 8pm GMT.

Next in our series celebrating the people behind our drams, we’re delighted to introduce Shona Macleod, who grew up just a few steps from our distillery doors. In December 2014, she joined the distillery as part of the founding Tarbert 10, our original team of ten, beginning her journey as Guest Services Manager.

Her hands-on involvement in the sampling and quality aspects of Isle of Harris Gin naturally sparked a deeper interest in whisky production as her journey continued. Her keen nose and talent for whisky tasting soon saw her under the mentorship of our flavour guru Gordon Steele as her sensory skills went from strength to strength.

Today, Shona is now our Distillery Blender, leading the way on creating all our whisky recipes alongside the art and science of cask selection and maturation. Thanks for everything you do Shona, we’re proud to know our dram is in your safe Hearach hands!

LEARN ABOUT THE SOCIAL DISTILLERY

Saturday 11th April

Aberargie Distillery

Hosted by Thomas Cuthbert

A Unique And Special Edition Scotch Whisky

THE WHISKY

Himmaleh Spirits Launches the World’s First Himalayan Cask Program

An Ultra-Rare Whisky Experience Born of Altitude, Provenance, and Craft

London/United Kingdom: Himmaleh Spirits, the visionary craft distillery, proudly unveils the Himalayan Cask Program – a one-of-a-kind global release shaped by time, tradition, and the rare high-altitude terroir of the mighty mountains, anchored by the first Indian single malt whisky from the Himalayas. From grain to glass, each drop reflects the elemental power of the mountains and Himmaleh’s unwavering commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and excellence. Created for collectors who value rarity, the Himalayan Cask Program offers more than a bottle. It offers a story, a statement, and a whisky shaped by altitude, heritage, and taste – a reflection of individuality and legacy in every cask.

Born in the Kumaon region of the Indian Himalayas, a short drive from Delhi and neighbouring the legendary Corbett National Park, Himmaleh’s whiskies are crafted with locally cultivated six-row barley and glacial spring water sourced from the pristine Himalayan springs. Each small-batch malt is distilled in Forsyths copper pot stills, then aged in ex-Bourbon barrels in the Himalayan foothills – maturing between three and eight years, yielding 285 to 168 bottles per cask. The distillery’s fully in-house production and bottling model further reinforces Himmaleh’s self-reliant approach and commitment to high-quality craftsmanship, precision and consistency at every stage of creation.

“India is fast emerging as a serious player in the global whisky landscape,” says Ansh Khanna, Co- founder, Himmaleh Spirits. “But what we’re building here is something far more personal. The Himalayan Cask Program is about owning a whisky that reflects both place and personality – shaped by climate, elevation, and one’s own taste. That kind of expression can’t be replicated and that’s what makes it truly priceless”

This is whisky as a status symbol, not because of its price, but because of its provenance. Each cask represents a singular connection to the land and people of the Himalayas, created in partnership with local farmers, foragers, and craftspeople. It is a celebration of rarity with roots.

“There’s a new kind of luxury buyer, someone looking for one-of-a-kind rare and collectible experiences that can’t be replicated,” adds Samarth Prasad, Co-founder, Himmaleh Spirits. “This isn’t about just acquiring another limited release. It’s about being part of a deeper story, one that is steeped in craft, community, and culture.”

Beyond the spirit itself, the program offers access to a world few will experience: VIP distillery visits for up to four guests, private entry to restricted spaces including the exclusive Cask Owners’ Lounge, ceremonial tastings at the time of bottling, and invitations to exclusive Himmaleh events. Cask owners also receive preferred pricing and early access to future single-cask releases. Upon reservation, cask owners will also have a privilege to interact with the master distiller to taste and select the profile that best suits their palate. Once bottled, the whisky is theirs – to enjoy, gift, or commemorate something meaningful.

Himmaleh Spirits have appointed Asian Alchemy Pvt Ltd under the direction of Simon Murphy to coordinate international cask sales. The initial rollout will be focused on the UK & select international markets. “Beautifully crafted single malts from Asia are gaining international recognition for their provenance, complex flavours & sophistication. A home-grown Indian single malt from the foothills of the Himalayas is a unique offering”, says Simon Murphy. 

In an era of commodified luxury, Himmaleh offers something profoundly original – a whisky born of mountain silence and elemental clarity. The Himalayan Cask Program is a rare invitation to own a piece of this legacy.

About Himmaleh Spirits

A relentless pursuit of the finest ingredients lies at the heart of Himmaleh Spirits. From produce to process, the company embraces a truly farm-to-bottle philosophy to craft the highest quality artisanal spirits.  Nestled  amidst  the  Himalayan  foothills,  within  Uttarakhand’s  Kumaon  region, the Himmaleh Spirits Distillery is a family-owned and independent distillery – the brainchild of Ansh Khanna and Samarth Prasad. Drawing on the abundant resources of this terrain, its spirits trace their origins to an ever-growing community of farmers, foragers, and harvesters. For more information, please visit- https://himmalehspirits.com/

It’s back — and better than ever. Garry Oak Rye Whisky Batch 2 launches Friday, March 20th.

We’re incredibly excited about this release. It’s older, richer, and now making its way to China, Switzerland, Manitoba, Alberta, and of course, BC. To create a new style of whisky in such a storied industry is truly an honour.

We’re offering two versions of our Garry Oak Rye Whisky:

Bottle Strength
The second edition is a blend of three casks: one aged entirely in refill Garry Oak, and two casks aged for three years in Char #2 new American oak before being transferred to once-used, Oregon-sourced Garry Oak casks for an additional two years.
Total 2026 batch: 847 bottles
50% alc./vol.
$129.57 + taxes/deposit

Order Garry Oak BOTTLE Strength

Cask Strength (Presale Only — Releases April 2nd)
As with last year, we’re releasing a very limited cask strength edition. It’s already bottled—we’re just waiting on packaging. This year, the angel’s share took more water than whisky, resulting in a bold 66.4% alc./vol.
Limited to just 136 bottles, each packaged in a new custom oak box from Northern Hart Design.

Presale price: $162.00 + taxes/deposit
After April 2nd: $182.00 + taxes/deposit

Order Garry Oak **CASK** Strength Special Edition

We expect this release to sell out quickly. If you want to secure a bottle—and save $20—be sure to order before April 2nd.

Both versions are available to taste at the distillery at no charge. If you’d like to try before you buy, we’d love to have you in.

— Stillhead Distillery

The Brewer’s Coalition: Old Rasputin Stout Cask Finish — Available Now

We’ve partnered with North Coast Brewing Co. to bring you the newest release in our Brewer’s Coalition series — and just six barrels were selected for this limited-edition offering.

Crafted from 100% malted barley, aged over five years in premium ex-bourbon barrels, then finished in Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout casks, this expression showcases rich malt character layered with deep, roasted intensity.

Aromas of almond kringle and honeycomb lead into bright citrus zest, followed on the palate by dark chocolate and malty hops.

With only six barrels produced, quantities are extremely limited. Free shipping on orders over $100.

ORDER NOW

Complex, elegant, and full of character, our inaugural expression is a delicious dram which unfolds in your glass, revealing itself over time, just like the island itself. Made to our carefully refined blenders’ recipe, we combine spirits which have been matured by the coastal village of Ardhasaig in selected first fill Ex-Bourbon casks, first fill Ex-Oloroso and Fino sherry butts. We then marry these spirits in batches for a minimum of 12 weeks to bring additional harmony to the final dram.

The result is an Outer Hebridean single malt of distinction we’re proud to bottle and bear our elemental island’s name.

DISCOVER THE HEARACH

‘Freedom and Whisky gang thegither!’

A first for The Whisky Shop, welcome to an exciting new podcast mini series in collaboration with The Macallan! Join W Club Manager, Luke Crowley-Holland, on the banks of the river Spey for not one, but FOUR new podcasts recorded at The Macallan Estate, exploring the people that make the brand what it is. Come with us as we uncover the hidden gems behind The Macallan – its liquid, its experiences, its people, and its history. Episodes 1 and 2 available now – listen to them below! Once you have explored the marvelous story of The Macallan, you can pick up one of their drams to enjoy!

EXPLORE PODCAST>

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯