Wild Turkey announced the release of their Austin Nichols Archives, Gold Foil Edition. It is a 16‑year‑old, non‑chill filtered, 120‑proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, crafted from barrels primarily aged in Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson rick houses. Retail price is $400.

The Gold Foil Edition will be available in-store starting from May 2026. DMVWhisky will post details about their online release as soon as they announce it.

DETAILS

SharedPour has the Black Maple Hill 16 Year Bourbon available online for 799/ bottle. This is the latest revived premium brand from Rare Character's Pablo Moix. This will be a very limited release and is a fantastic pour, BUT is it worth the price? As much as I enjoyed this it doesnt live up to that price for me personally... especially being a "small batch".

For details about all of the Black Maple Hill releases and my tasting notes on each see my previous post: Black Maple Hill Release Party at Jack Rose

Tickets for T8KE's Eleventh Hour Whiskey Festival go on sale tomorrow, Monday May 18th. Here is a summary of the event. For full details click the link at the bottom of this post.

Ticket prices range from $70-$250. Tickets will launch at 12pm CST/1pm EST tomorrow (Monday, May 18th) via email in a dedicated email from the system. They will process through the distillery checkout platform rather than a platform that's been used previously. You will receive an email with checkout info at this time tomorrow. If you are not yet subscribed to T8KE's email you can do so here: Private Selections by T8KE

• When: August 1st, 2026
• Time: 2-6pm (General Admission), 1-6pm (VIP)
• Where: Middleburg, Virginia
• What: Pick up where last year left off at Ten Years of T8KE and experience The Eleventh Hour, the 2026 whiskey festival hosted by T8KE in Middleburg, Virginia. Meet friends new and old and experience an incredible spread of great drinks from brands old and new.

 

Hosted at Middleburg Barrel Company, on the 11th anniversary of T8KE, home of The Reveries and Provenance Bourbon. The Reveries, Found North, Barrell Craft Spirits and Waypost Coffee, return with new appearances from Dancing Goat Distillery, Backbone Distillery, Small Victories Imports and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

Food trucks, live music, all star snacks and alternative bevs, lawn games, local food and more take the stage alongside killer pours and exclusives that are available for purchase: both whiskey releases and merch. 

The following releases will be available for purchase the day of the event, with more to be announced closer to time: 

• The Reveries Rye Single Barrel Barrel Strength Festival Exclusive - VIP ONLY
• Provenance Bourbon Festival Exclusive
• Reveries Festival Exclusive Release 
• Reveries + Provenance Festival Exclusive Single Barrel Releases 
• Found North 'The Eleventh Hour' Exclusive Release

 

TICKETS

The Solo Blind is this cool blind tasting device that is designed to be used entirely solo, AND can be used for a tasting of 2, 3, or 4 bourbons. The first few batches sold out and they are releasing their next batch of stock this Thursday, May 21st, at 7PM. It sells for 75 and will likely sell out again.

Check it out here

BigValu Liquors in DC, right around the corner from the Costco, has a bunch of allocated bourbon they are looking to move this weekend. I talked with the owner, Bef, and here are the prices he is willing to do for this weekend only. Just make sure you mention you saw them on DMVWhisky and show this post if needed.

• Blanton's Gold = $179
• Blanton's Straight From The Barrel = $199
• Caribou Crossing = $59
• Jack Daniel's 10 Year = $125
• King of Kentucky Small Batch = $349
• Old Charter Finest Oak = $99
• Stagg 25C = $99

He also has a lot of the recent Binder's Stash releases

• Children of the Stave 9y Bourbon = $399
• Pinch of Darkness 8y Bourbon = $349
• Planet Caramel 8y Bourbon = $349
• Crazy Grain 8y Bourbon = $349
• Snowbound 8y Bourbon = $349
• Rye-n Man 7y Rye = $299

Disclosure: As with all of my posts on DMVWhisky, I post only things I think might be of interest and value to the community. I do not receive any compensation to do so nor have any affiliation.

Jack Rose is holding a Willett Single Barrel Launch Party on Sunday, May 24th 1-4pm. Cost is 93/person. All new single barrels will have retail availability for event attendees.

Pours:

• Willett Family Estate Bourbon “Jack Rose - OG Wheat 2” ck 9830 | 4 YR, 120.4° 
• Willett Family Estate Bourbon “Jack Rose - Beltway Connection” ck 8899 | 5 YR, 121.6° 
• Willett Family Estate Bourbon “Jack Rose - Jelly Belly” ck 6511 | 6 YR, 125.8° 
• Willett Family Estate Bourbon “Jack Rose - Les Citrons” ck 548 | 8 YR, 134.0°

 

TICKETS

Garrison Brother's Whiskey is giving away a Backyard Bourbon Barn.

• A Tuff Shed barn installed at your property, ready for whatever stories you’ve got to tell.
• A Garrison Brothers–designed interior built for bourbon and good company.
• A fully finished space designed for hosting, relaxing, and bringing people together.

DETAILS and ENTRY FORM

Silverthorn is offering DMVWhisky followers a discount on their current releases this week until Monday 5/18 at midnight. Use code: STR10 to receive $10 off every bottle during the sale. Free shipping on 2+ bottle orders. The bottles will ship this week.

If you are unfamiliar with Silverthorn, they are a new brand based in MD started by the previous CEO of Sagamore. He is sourcing some really great whiskey. Check out my previous review of all three bottles here: Silverthorn Reserve - Three new whiskies out of Baltimore

BUY SILVERTHORN WHISKEY

Wild Turkey is releasing a new Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition. It is a 16 Year Old Bourbon that comes in at 120 Proof. It is to be a tribute to the classic "Cheesy Gold Foil" releases during the 80s and 90s that are considered some of the very best ever released.

No word yet on price or even where/how it will be released, but it is set to be released next Tuesday, May 19th. Stay tuned as we will post as we find out more.

On Saturday, May 16th at 8:00 AM Total Wine's Friendship Heights store is dropping 247 allocated bottles for Grand Reserve Members. You have to present an email they sent today at the customer service desk and give your Rewards Account phone number for account verification to purchase a bottle. Quantities are first come, first served—and extremely limited. Limit 1 per customer.

So we now know why Total Wine stopped putting all of these bottles on the shelves a few months back. They are holding for Grand Reserve Members. The prices are above retail on these as Total Wine is doing these days. Most of the bottles you can find on shelves in the DMV now for cheaper without too much work and without having to have a membership.

Overall this is a huge disappointment. I have yet to get one decent bottle being a Grand Reserve member and this weekends drop wont change that. I personally will not be wasting my time and money to try and maintain the GR status.

HOW TO GET GRAND RESERVE STATUS WITHOUT SPENDING $2500: Normally you have to spend $2500 every year to get and maintain Grand Reserve status. As seen here I am not sure if it is really worth it. BUT if you want to get it without spending $2500 here is how to do it. Whenever they open a new store they typically will offer 10x points for the first month or so on any purchases at the store. When DC opened I spent $250 on a couple of bottles and got Grand Reserve that day. You can also do this even if out of state if you know someone in the state who can help you out. I know one guy who bought online from the DC store but lived out of state. He had a friend in DC pickup his bottle and he got his status for another year by just spending $250. Trick is finding when a new store is opening (doing a Google search works) and then finding someone in the area who can help... usually not too hard if you belong to some of the various discord or FB groups as guys usually willing to help each other out. The next one opening is Lubbock, TX

Nashville Barrel Company just dropped a 24 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon. While 24y Canadian and American Light Whiskies are a dime-a-dozen these days, it is rare to find a Kentucky Bourbon single barrel at this age. It isnt cheap of 500 but it is pretty unique and NBC picks some great barrels.

I dont know anything about the source or if it is any good. My guess is Barton or HH. I just wanted to share as I doubt this will last long.

LAX MD has Booker's Phantom for 49.99