The 12 Best Bourbon And Rye Whiskeys Of Fall 2026

Fall means a lot of things to a lot of people… The changing of the leaves, football, the approaching holiday season. To me, Fall is Bourbon season. And with Autumn on the horizon, as we are halfway through Bourbon Heritage Month, I wanted to pay homage to the best Bourbons and Ryes you can find this Fall.

Below I have pulled the most exquisite Bourbon and Rye Whiskey releases from this month and last month. Sure there are others out there but these ones I am willing to stamp my signature approval on as I’ve either gone through exhaustive tastings of them already or at least sampled them with more intensive reviews to come.

Ranking 12 of the Best Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys For Fall 2026

1. Little Book: The Infinite, Edition III

I have been fortunate to try every Little Book release since Day 1. I was even at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. for the Little Book Chapter 5 release and got to taste it with Beam Family Master Distiller Freddie Noe. So when they first released ‘Little Book: The Infinite’ I knew it would be love at first sip for me because each one of these releases has been spectacular.

Lo and behold, they struck gold with Little Book: The Infinite, Edition III. 30% of Edition III is blended in from Edition II. For those unfamiliar, Little Book: The Infinite was a multi-generational blend incorporating whiskeys crafted by Booker Noe (6th generation Master Distiller), Fred Noe (7th generation Master Distiller), and Freddie Noe (8th Generation Master Distiller), with each release building upon the past.

Little Book: The Infinite, Edition III drew 30% from Edition II and this year it adds a 23-year-old Knob Creek Bourbon distilled by Booker Noe, 11-year-old Knob Creek Bourbon distilled by Fred Noe, and a 9-year-old Baker’s Bourbon distilled by Freddie Noe. It was bottled at 118.3 proof (retail $200). That 23-year-old Knob Creek is one of the oldest Bourbons ever bottled up by the James B. Beam Distilling Company.

Little Book: The Infinite, Edition III backs up the hype with flavor. You’ll find signature oak and char with notes of creamy caramel, vanilla, and butterscotch from Fred’s blend and rich dark fruit and tobacco from Freddie’s. If you are looking to splurge on a nice ultra-premium bottle this Fall, this is it. Pick it up if you see it. Thank me later.

2. Remus Repeal Reserve Series X

To celebrate 10 years of the Remus Repeal Reserve Series, Master Distiller Ian Stirsman has released Remus Repeal Reserve Series X. It just might be the finest release during Bourbon Heritage Month.

Something special was needed to commemorate this momentous occasion and Series X has pulled from three mash bills: Remus’ historic LBSV and LESV, along with the LISV mash bill that is rarely seen. The blending components were aged between 2008 and 2017 and Series X came together in perfect harmony after Master Distiller Ian Stirsman went through countless blending combinations.

The finished blend has French oak on the nose with vanilla, dark chocolate, and tobacco. Across the tongue it has subtle pistachio, almond croissant, and more vanilla with a finish of candied almond and English toffee. Bottled at 107-proof, this is a flavor bomb that I suspect will not last on my shelf through the Fall. It is spectacular.

3. WhistlePig’s The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh

The WhistlePig Boss Hog is an anomaly within the Rye Spirits world. It is consistently one of the most sought-after and prized annual releases but each year it is an entirely different release with a unique flavor profile. Last year’s Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame drew flavors from the ancient Aztec drink pulque, a fermented drink from the agave plant, and xocolatl, an ancient (and spicy) drink made from cocoa beans that is related to chocolate.

Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh marks the first time ever a spirit has been finished in barrels seasoned with an Tiger Nut Cake recipe that dates back thousands of years. The recipe was found on an ancient tomb!

On the nose, The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh is bursting with brown sugar, cinnamon, and toasted almond. Imagine you just walked into a Parisian bakery and that wave of pastries hits you like a warm hug.

Down the palate, The Golden Pharaoh packs Egyptian honey and baking spices, two of my favorite notes, and two notes that are perfect for the Fall and Winter seasons. There’s rye spice there to be sure but it is not overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination, just enough however to remind you that you’re sipping one of the finest rye whiskeys ever bottled. The finish brings back those warm bakery notes with toasted almond and fresh oatmeal.

4. Booker’s The Reserves 2026 Rye

The James B. Beam Distilling Company just released Booker’s The Reserves 2026, a 125.1 proof Rye Whiskey that is finished in apple brandy barrels and infused with cinnamon. The story goes, every year in early Winter the Beam family (specifically, Fred Noe’s granddaddy), would decant a batch of ‘Apple Wine’ to be shared with the family throughout the holiday season. He called it the ‘A.B.C. Wassail’ which stands for Apples, Bourbon barrels, and Cinnamon Wassail.

For Booker’s The Reserves 2026, Fred Noe put his own spin on the family recipe and used a spicy and powerful Rye Whiskey aged in apple brandy casks with cinnamon sticks. It is now an ‘A.R.C. Wassail’ that has a rich auburn color, lots of caramel on the nose with bright apple and some oak. On the tongue you will find vanilla, caramel, charred oak, and a hint of cinnamon. Then the finish brings a nuanced wave of cinnamon baked apples that is absolutely divine.

Booker’s The Reserves 2026 125.1-proof Rye carries an age statement of 6 years, 2 months, and 23 days. Most folks have never had the good fortune of sampling a Booker’s Rye and I hope this one finds its way to them because it is divine. It is ultra premium at a $129 price point but worth every penny.

5. Remus Repeal Reserve Straight Rye

Also in honor of Bourbon Heritage Month, Remus has released their first-ever Rye Whiskey, a 111-proof limited-edition Straight Rye that was crafted from Remus’ 95% Rye Mash Bill with aged Ryes from 2015 an 2016 in the blend. Am I crazy for thinking that 2015 and 2016 was just five years ago and not 10/11 years ago?! It seems like just yesterday.

The Remus Repeal Reserve Rye has an exquisite flavor profile. If you are longtime BroBible reader then you’ve certainly sussed out by now that I’m partial to high-rye bourbon and Rye Whiskey in general, but this one is spectacular with rich notes of caramel, butterscotch, and French oak. The nose has wafting notes of of mint, toffee, and star anise. At $79.99 MSRP, this one is a steal. They could have priced it at 3x that and I still would’ve bought it for the Fall/Winter.

6. Wilderness Trail – Symphony of Disruption

Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville, Kentucky has been a favorite of mine for the past few years. I think I first came to know their bourbon about five years ago and have been hooked ever since. Last Halloween, I busted out my whole collection of Wilderness Trail and got half a dozen neighbors hooked with all of them unanimously agreeing it is special. So when I saw Wilderness Trail was releasing ‘Symphony of Disruption‘ 10-Year-Old Wheated Small Batch Kentucky Bourbon my interest was piqued.

The name, Symphony of Disruption, pays homage to the distillery’s reputation as being “sweet mash disruptors” and balking at tradition while championing sweet mash fermentation. The name is also a tribute to founders’ musical roots.

Symphony of Disruption is bottled at 122.9 proof. It is a non-chill filtered Bourbon with only 69 cases available (414 total bottles) and an MSRP of $189.99. They can only be procured at the Wilderness Trail Distillery, of course. But it’s worth the trip! There are notes of warm spice, caramel apple and crème brûlée on the palate. It has a nose of brown sugar and baking spices, clove and cedar. And a smooth, long finish rich with toasted oak and tobacco.

7. 2026 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch

Arguably my favorite ultra-premium annual Bourbon release, the Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch this year continued a history of excellence from Four Roses master distiller Brent Elliott. It is non-chill filtered, bottled at 109.2 proof, and contains bourbons aged from 14 to 23 years.

This year’s Four Roses LE Small Batch includes a 14-year-old OBSK recipe, 14-year-old OESK, 15-year-old OESV, and a 23-year-old OESK. I was able to do a tasting via Zoom with Brent as this year’s Limited Edition Small Batch was announced and it blew me away with notes of apricot and oak on the nose, baking spice and honey across the tongue, and a smooth finish of vanilla and caramel.

As is the case every year, Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch is VERY difficult to get your hands on. Limited quantities will be made available nationwide with 16,800 bottles in total being released.

8. Wilderness Trail’s 8-Year-Old Cask Strength Kentucky Rye Whiskey

This one is Wilderness Trail’s second release in the collection, an 8-year-old Cask Strength Kentucky Rye Whiskey which was crafted from Wilderness Trail’s signature mash bill. It is a fruit-forward Rye with sweet red apple, burnt caramel, vanilla pudding, baking spice, and confectionery sugar.

At Cask Strength, it was bottled at 116.1 proof and only 408 bottles (68 cases) were bottled up and sold at $79 at the Wilderness Trail Distillery. If these two Wilderness Trail releases aren’t reason enough to book your next trip to Kentucky I don’t know what is!

9. APW Limited Edition 11 Year Bourbon

Legendary guitarist Derek Trucks’ A– Pocket Whiskey (aka ‘APW’) has been doing special things since day 1. It has become one of those ‘if you know, you know’ bourbons where the people who have been fortunate enough to have tried it know just how special it is.

I want to specifically call out the APW Limited Edition 11-year-old Bourbon. It packs bright notes of peach and pear on the nose with a tiny hint of lemon zest. Across the tongue you’ll find that rich oak and toasted cherry wood with dark baking spices. It has a smooth, long finish of dark stone fruit, berries, and orange peel. The color of honey is inviting from the first sip. Interested? Check out the distillery’s website to see where you can find it.

10. Cedar Ridge 2026 Anniversary Edition Bourbon

For Cedar Ridge’s 21st Anniversary Edition release, they have put together an exquisite Bourbon. The mash bill of 74% corn, 14% rye, and 12% malted barley was then split and aged in five separate casks: Madeira, Napa Cabernet, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Tawny Port and Tokaji casks.

There have been times Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks overpower a spirit for me but this blend of all five comes together in perfect harmony and at $64.99/bottle, this Anniversary Edition Bourbon is something special. It is bottled at 112-proof and can be found at select retailers, the Cedar Ridge Distillery in Iowa, and you can find more information on the Cedar Ridge Distillery’s website if you are interested.

11. Baker’s Limited Edition 13-Year Single Barrel Bourbon

Edward ‘Baker’ Beam turned 90-years-old this year. They have released one heckuva Bakers to commemorate it! A limited-edition 13-year-old single barrel bourbon that was bottled at 107-proof. The last time they released a Baker’s 13 I dare say it lasted all of two weeks on my shelf before I’d finished the bottle, it was that good.

Bottled at 107-proof, Bakers 13 has a nose of vanilla and caramel with rich ripe fruit, a plate of vanilla, toasted nuts, and oak, and hearty warm finish that will you have immediately reaching for another pour. At $149.99, this limited-edition release often flies off shelves so if you see it, grab it, or it’ll be gone the next time you look.

12. Knob Creek 12-Year Cask Strength

From Clermont, Kentucky comes the Knob Creek 12-year Cask Strength release. It is bottled at 121.1 proof but has all of the flavor and full character you desire from an older Knob Creek release.

With notes of dried apple, caramel, butterscotch, and seasoned oak this is a perfect sipping bourbon for Fall 2026. The best part? It is priced at $89.99 which is incredibly reasonable given that it is a 12-year-old bourbon with enough flavor for the whole party.