This being the second release, students were able to carry over elements they enjoyed about the first, while also putting a new spin on the spirit.
The 2026 release has an entirely different blend from the first edition, from four sources: 24% James B. Beam Distilling Co. eight-year (mash bill 78/13/0/9), 24% Four Roses eight-year (mash bill 60/35/0/5), 39% Bardstown Bourbon Co. six-year (mash bill 53/0/39/8) and 13% Bardstown Bourbon Co. five-year (68/0/20/12). 100% of the proceeds from Wildcask Bourbon are invested back into the Beam Institute to support student education and research.
“Being involved in the blending process was one of my favorite parts of the class,” said Isaac Downs, a UK senior majoring in Business Management with a minor in international business. “We talked a lot about branding in the first semester and how to put your story in every part of your product from the packaging to the stuff inside the bottle. We drew on that knowledge when we learned to blend, and we developed a bourbon that is unique, approachable and full of flavor.”
Throughout the two-semester course, industry professionals came and spoke to the class about their respective areas, including blending, distribution, finance, bottle and enclosure procurement, and more. Students also visited label printing facilities, distribution warehouses and different-sized distilleries, gaining first-hand access to some of the strongest minds in the beverage industry.
Gavin Lincavage is taking the course as well, but his full-time job is being a winemaker at Talon Winery. He said the class has taught him more about the industry.
“The business side of the alcohol industry has always felt mysterious to me,” Lincavage said. “We had so many great members of our team and such amazing support from the Beam Institute that we were able to make a bourbon that any Wildcat would be proud to drink.”
Those who would like to purchase Wildcask may reserve their bottles ahead of time. Bottles will be held until April 27, when consumers must purchase and pick up their bottle(s) at the Beam Institute, located at 1320 Nicholasville Road in Lexington. Instructions on parking and when to arrive for pickup will be sent to the email address patrons use to reserve their bottle.
Wildcask Bourbon is made possible by the generous support of Suntory Global Spirits, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Four Roses Bourbon, ByQuest packaging, Cursive Solutions, Inc., and W. Bahan Designs.
“The students continue to impress with this 2026 edition,” said Seth DeBolt, director of JBBI. “The level of energy, enthusiasm and learning is wonderful. They used the mash bills to blend one of the smoothest whiskies you will meet, and I’m truly blown away.”
Sign up here to reserve your bottle(s) of Wildcask Bourbon’s 2026 release.
