Louisville, KY, December 23, 2025. Watch Hill Whiskey Company proudly unveils two extraordinary new releases that embody craftsmanship, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence: Exceptional Series Batch 03, the latest limited edition in the brand’s acclaimed Exceptional Series of rare, aged bourbons, and Chef Series Batch 01, the debut expression in a new annual rye whiskey series created in collaboration with Executive Chef Michael Crouch.
Exceptional Series Batch 03: A Trio of Rare 18-year Bourbons
Exceptional Series Batch 03 is the third release in Watch Hill Whiskey Company’s signature line, celebrating the rarest and most extraordinary bourbons the team discovers. Batch 03 is a blend of three hand-selected barrels, each an 18-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon chosen for its depth, richness, and rarity. Bottled at 128 proof, this expression continues the hallmark standard set by the first two Exceptional Series releases. Only 102 bottles exist, with 80 available to the public, $499/per bottle; a testament to just how rare these elite barrels are.
“Our Exceptional Series is reserved for bourbon that truly earns that word, and Batch 03 absolutely does,” said Tommy Craggs, Co-Founder of Watch Hill Proper. “We don’t release a whiskey unless it surpasses our highest expectations, and the combination of these three 18-year barrels is something profoundly special.”
Chef Series Batch 01: A Rye Whiskey Inspired by Chef Michael Crouch
Chef Series Batch 01 marks the launch of a new yearly release driven by the personal palate and barrel-selecting expertise of Executive Chef Michael Crouch, who is well known for his passion for rye whiskey. For this inaugural batch, Chef Crouch selected a remarkable age-stated 12-year-old single-barrel straight rye whiskey, bottled at 130.4 proof. Technically, the whiskey was filled into bottles just after the barrel turned 13 years old, offering a uniquely mature and refined profile.
Chef Crouch’s connection to rye whiskey is reflected not only in the flavor but in the presentation; each bottle proudly bears his image and name. With only 100 bottles produced and just 75 available to the public, this limited release sets the standard for the series going forward.
“Rye whiskey has always spoken to me, the spice, the complexity, the way it evolves with time,” said Executive Chef Michael J. Crouch. “To have a whiskey that represents my palate and carries my name is truly humbling, and this first batch is everything I hoped it would be: bold, refined, and built on years of patience.”
Watch Hill Whiskey Company has secured several additional rye barrels for future Chef Series releases, each slated for one more year of aging before bottling, ensuring a progressively elevated experience year after year.
Both Chef Series Batch 01 and Exceptional Series Batch 03 will be offered in extremely limited quantities exclusively through Watch Hill Whiskey Company. Due to rarity and anticipated demand, bottles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Chef Series Batch 01 is available to the public now at Watch Hill Proper for $249/per bottle. Exceptional Series Batch 03 will be available beginning January 6, 2026.
About Watch Hill Whiskey Company
In 2022, co-owners Tommy Craggs and Josh Howes opened Watch Hill Proper, the world’s largest and most prestigious American whiskey bar, where every detail was thoughtfully designed to reflect their uncompromising vision. In their relentless search for the perfect American whiskey to meet their exacting standards, they sampled and passed over many remarkable whiskies. Then, they discovered “the one”—an unmistakable expression of craftsmanship without the need for fabricated history or contrived heritage. Watch Hill Whiskey Company was born from that discovery, bringing an exceptional whiskey experience. For more information, visit Watch Hill Whiskey Company.
