Rare Character Limited Release 2026 Batch#1 Straight Bourbon Whiskey 750ml

Rare Character was founded in 2021 by Pablo Moix and Peter Nevenglosky, and joined a year later by Andy Shapira, who grew up around the Heaven Hill Distillery family business. Rather than distilling their own spirit, the team travels across North America sourcing and purchasing casks of bourbon, rye, and American whiskey, then blending selections together to build a house style distinct from any single distillery. The Limited Release line, of which this bottling is part, represents what the brand considers the top tier of its barrel program, assembled from casks the team felt were too individually compelling to bottle alone.

This 2026 Batch #1 release is a blend of Kentucky straight bourbons pulled from multiple barrels and aging periods, married together to build layered depth rather than showcase a single cask's character. Each barrel going into the blend was chosen for bold aromatics and distinct flavor before being combined, and the resulting whiskey is bottled at cask strength, coming in at roughly 129 proof. The approach favors complexity and balance over the more straightforward profile of a single barrel bottling.

On the nose, look for maple syrup, dark brown sugar, cinnamon red hots, toasted almonds, and banana bread pudding, layered with caramel, sweet oak, leather, and dried cranberries. The palate carries a silky, dense mouthfeel with crème brûlée, cinnamon graham cracker, cherry hard candy, black pepper, and pipe tobacco. The finish runs long, settling into graham cracker pie crust and cream.