The Louisville, Kentucky-based Michter’s Distillery has announced the release of its 2026 Shenk’s Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey and 2026 Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Shenk’s Homestead (45.6% ABV) features a combination of 24-month air-dried French oak from the Vosges forest and 60-month air-dried American oak. Bomberger’s Declaration (54% ABV), highlights its hallmark Chinquapin oak, complemented by the addition of Hungarian oak.

These latest Legacy Series releases honour Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk, who founded Shenk’s Distillery in Pennsylvania in 1753. The distillery was later renamed Bomberger’s Distillery in the 1800s after Abraham Bomberger, before being renamed once again as Michter’s Distillery in the mid-20th century.

Commenting on the Shenk’s release, Dan McKee, Michter’s Master Distiller, said: “In addition to this whiskey being slightly rye-forward, we used caramel malted barley, which offers a rich caramel bread pudding note that balances the spice. The cooperage includes 24-month air-dried French oak from the Vosges forest as well as 60-month air-dried American oak, helping to impart a distinctive character to this Shenk’s release.”

Andrea Wilson, Michter’s Master of Maturation, added: “It is a wonderful opportunity to work on Shenk’s and Bomberger’s with Dan and the team at Michter’s. The aim is not just to try something new, but to explore how aroma, depth, flavour, complexity and finish can be influenced by changing variables to enhance the drinking experience.”

Limited in quantities, Shenk’s Homestead and Bomberger’s Declaration will be available from April through selected retailers in the US, for the respective RRPs of $110.00 and $120.00.