# UK releases second Wildcask Bourbon bottling for spring sales  
**Published:** 2026-04-15T15:13:59.000Z  
**Source:** [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-happenings/wildcask-bourbon-2026-release-bottled-and-ready-hit-shelves)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/uk-releases-second-wildcask-bourbon-bottling-for-spring-sales

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky's [James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits](https://beaminstitute.mgcafe.uky.edu/) has completed bottling its second annual release of Wildcask Bourbon, marking continued success for the student-led bourbon brand created as a class project in the Commercialization of Distilled Spirits course, according to [university news](https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-happenings/wildcask-bourbon-2026-release-bottled-and-ready-hit-shelves).

Following its [inaugural 2025 release](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/james-b-beam-institute-launches-kentucky-wildcask-bourbon-groundbreaking-student-created), the new bottling features an entirely different blend sourced from four suppliers: James B. Beam Distilling Co., Four Roses, and two separate offerings from Bardstown Bourbon Co. The 2026 release combines bourbons ranging from five to eight years old, with mash bills carefully selected to create what institute officials describe as a smooth, approachable spirit.

Students in the two-semester course spent the entire academic year developing the new release, which parallels their 2025 experience of taking a bourbon from concept to market. "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. "We talked a lot about branding and how to put your story in every part of your product from the packaging to the stuff inside the bottle."

[The Beam Institute](https://beaminstitute.mgcafe.uky.edu/), [established through a $5 million gift from Suntory Global Spirits in 2019](https://www.suntoryglobalspirits.com/news/james-b-beam-institute-kentucky-spirits-opens-distillery-and-maturation-facility-university), houses the world's largest teaching distillery and serves as the bourbon industry's research and development vehicle. Throughout the course, industry professionals from major distilleries and suppliers lecture on blending, distribution, finance and packaging procurement, providing students with direct exposure to bourbon industry operations.

Gavin Lincavage, a winemaker at Talon Winery who is enrolled in the course, said the program has deepened his understanding of the spirits business. "The business side of the alcohol industry has always felt mysterious to me," he said. "We had so many great members of our team and amazing support from the Beam Institute."

Seth DeBolt, director of the James B. Beam Institute, praised the students' achievement. "The level of energy, enthusiasm and learning is wonderful," DeBolt said. "They used the mash bills to blend one of the smoothest whiskies you will meet, and I'm truly blown away."

All proceeds from Wildcask Bourbon sales are reinvested into the Beam Institute to support student education and research. Customers interested in purchasing the 2026 release may [reserve bottles online](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xZZP4oo9MhiKEa2QrJBP-GS4VtZksTAnb90U5gIdsrs/edit?ts=69d7bedd). Bottles will be held until April 27, when customers must purchase and pick up their orders at the Beam Institute, 1320 Nicholasville Road in Lexington. Pickup instructions will be sent to the email address used for reservations.

The bottling was made possible by support from Suntory Global Spirits, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Four Roses Bourbon, ByQuest packaging, Cursive Solutions Inc., and W. Bahan Designs.

## Sources

- [University of Kentucky News](https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-happenings/wildcask-bourbon-2026-release-bottled-and-ready-hit-shelves)
- [James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits official site](https://beaminstitute.mgcafe.uky.edu/)
- [2025 Wildcask Bourbon inaugural release coverage](https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/james-b-beam-institute-launches-kentucky-wildcask-bourbon-groundbreaking-student-created)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-happenings/wildcask-bourbon-2026-release-bottled-and-ready-hit-shelves.