There are distilleries—and then there’s Stitzel-Weller. Known to bourbon devotees as the “cathedral of Bourbon,” the Louisville landmark has quietly held court since 1935, aging barrels that have become the stuff of legend. Now, the historic site is throwing open its gates in a new way, launching Stitzel Reserve, a distillery-exclusive series that begins with a showstopper: a 24-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey drawn from just nine barrels.
This isn’t your average limited-edition bottle. This is history—bottled.
The Start of a New Era
Stitzel Reserve is more than a brand extension—it’s a platform for the rare, the archival, and the impossibly well-aged. The series draws from some of the oldest and most exceptional barrels resting within the legendary rickhouses of Stitzel-Weller, beginning with a showstopping debut: a 24-Year-Old Bourbon aged in new charred American oak barrels, laid down in 1999 by a historic Kentucky producer and matured in Warehouse B.
Only nine barrels were selected for this release, yielding a mere 191 bottles—each one individually numbered and hand-signed by Nicole Austin, Diageo’s Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities, who personally curated and blended the whiskey.
“At Stitzel-Weller Distillery, we are fortunate to have inherited some of the most remarkable aging barrels in the country,” said Austin. “The launch of Stitzel Reserve is a pivotal moment for our distillery. It’s a celebration of the past and a bold step forward.”
Aged Gracefully, Tasted Reverently
This 24-Year-Old expression isn’t just a flex of age—it’s a fully developed character study in bourbon form. The whiskey opens with a rich, leathery profile, layered with saddle oil and an elegant sweetness that rounds into burnt sugar on the finish. With an ABV of 61.7%, this is a cask-strength pour that still manages remarkable balance, depth, and warmth.
If you’re the type who appreciates tasting notes that sound like the inside of a vintage study, this bottle is your spirit animal.
The Legacy of Stitzel-Weller
The story of the Stitzel-Weller Distillery begins in 1935, when it opened its doors just outside Louisville, Kentucky, on the same day as that year’s Kentucky Derby. It was formed through the merger of two whiskey operations: the W.L. Weller & Sons company and the A. Ph. Stitzel Distillery. Among its founding figures was Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle Sr., a whiskey salesman-turned-executive whose influence would shape the identity of the distillery and the direction of American bourbon more broadly.
Stitzel-Weller became known for producing what was then an unconventional style of bourbon—one made with wheat instead of rye in the mash bill. This “wheated bourbon” profile yielded a softer, rounder flavor that stood in contrast to the spicier, more assertive bourbons of the time. While not widely embraced at first, the style would go on to form the basis for some of the most iconic bourbons in the world, including Pappy Van Winkle and W.L. Weller expressions.
During the mid-20th century, the distillery quietly built a reputation for quality, aging barrels in its rickhouses with an eye toward long-term character rather than quick turnaround. But like many bourbon producers, Stitzel-Weller was affected by the sharp decline in whiskey consumption during the 1970s and ’80s. The distillery ceased production in 1992, and for years its warehouses stood as a kind of monument to a bygone era of American whiskey making.
In the decades that followed, bourbon experienced a resurgence, and interest in Stitzel-Weller—and the aging barrels it still held—began to build. Though no longer producing whiskey on-site, the distillery was preserved and eventually came under the ownership of spirits conglomerate Diageo.
More Than Just a Label
Stitzel Reserve’s packaging is an homage to the whiskey’s character, featuring design cues inspired by wood and leather—elements as timeless as the bourbon inside. While there’s no official release calendar for future expressions, Diageo says that each Stitzel Reserve bottling will be based solely on peak liquid maturity and barrel quality, not marketing timelines. In other words, you’ll have to be patient—and lucky.
All releases in the Stitzel Reserve series will be available exclusively on-site at the Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning June 2025, consumers 21 and up can purchase the 750mL bottle directly at the distillery. Pricing, naturally, is available only upon request (a sure sign of prestige, or possibly heartbreak).
For those who just want a taste without committing to the full bottle (or those who can’t afford a full bottle, talking about myself here), the distillery is offering bespoke pours at the Garden & Gun Club on-site. Each tasting experience includes an etched whiskey glass, branded bag, and a limited-edition Stitzel-Weller Distillery pin, ensuring your bragging rights come fully accessorized.
What Comes Next
With Stitzel Reserve, the distillery is reaffirming its place not just as a producer, but as a custodian of bourbon legacy. This first release may be rare, but if the promise of the series holds, it’s only the beginning.