BARDSTOWN, Ky. — [March 24, 2026] — Evan Williams, the #1 American-Owned Bourbon, is announcing its release of five highly limited Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles celebrating The University of Alabama, University of Florida, Syracuse University, TCU, and the University of South Carolina. Every bottle features the respective university logo and is hand-selected from an individual barrel.
These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles will be in their respective markets by early April, just in time for the excitement of March Madness and the celebrations of spring graduation season. Each bottle features a distinctive wax-dipped top in the coordinating color of the featured university, along with a custom hang tag showcasing the school’s official logo. The design creates a keepsake that allows fans and alumni to celebrate their school spirit while enjoying a uniquely selected single barrel bourbon.
The releases will be exclusively distributed within each school’s home state, creating a highly localized, limited-availability opportunity. These Bourbon Nation bottles are designed as collectible bottlings that celebrate each school’s tradition, heritage, and pride.
Evan Williams Single Barrel reflects the time-honored methods first established when the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s first distillery on the banks of the Ohio River in 1783. Today, each barrel is chosen for its distinctive character and bottled individually at 43.3% ABV (86.6 proof), creating a unique expression that pairs perfectly with moments worth celebrating—on campus and beyond.
“As a bourbon brand rooted in tradition, we love being part of the moments that bring people together,” said Max Stefka, Associate Vice President of Global Whiskey Brands, Heaven Hill. “These Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions give fans and alumni a meaningful way to celebrate their schools, whether they’re cheering during tournament season, marking graduation, or simply sharing a glass with fellow fans.”
The Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles are part of Evan Williams Bourbon Nation, the brand’s platform celebrating the traditions and community of college sports fandom. Through partnerships with leading universities across the country, Bourbon Nation brings fans together around the energy of game day – from tailgates and watch parties to post-win celebrations, while enjoying America’s second-largest selling Bourbon responsibly.
In addition to these five editions, the brand is planning a second wave of Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition releases timed for the fall football season with an expanded lineup of universities to be announced later this year. The Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Editions will be available while supplies last within each university’s home state at an SRP of $34.99.
ABOUT EVAN WILLIAMS: Evan Williams is among the leaders in the American Whiskey segment as the #1 American-owned Bourbon and the world’s second largest-selling Bourbon. In 1783, the brand’s namesake opened Kentucky’s First Distillery on the banks of the Ohio River. Many years and barrels later, Evan Williams Bourbon is still produced the right way, using the same time-honored methods. Since 2015, Evan Williams has proudly supported Veteran-focused organizations nationwide, contributing more than $750,000 to initiatives that honor and empower those who have served our country. In 2024, the brand debuted ‘Evan Williams Bourbon Nation’ to celebrate college athletics through a partnership with Learfield, making Kentucky’s 1st Distiller Game Day’s #1 Pour. The multi-year deal currently includes powerhouse universities across the country. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams through an immersive visitor’s center experience that brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Learn more at www.EvanWilliams.com.
