Michter’s is no stranger to highly collectible, unicorn whiskey releases—the limited-edition 20-year-old bourbon and 25-year-old bourbon and rye all sell for much more than their asking prices on the secondary market, and for good reason (they are extremely good). But there’s one Michter’s expression that trumps all of these in terms of value and age—Celebration Sour Mash, a blend of whiskeys that represents the pinnacle of the distillery’s portfolio that has returned for 2026.

This is just the fifth release of Celebration Sour Mash to date—previous expressions were released in 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022. And although it’s being released in 2026, the new whiskey is actually the 2025 edition of Celebration Sour Mash (named after the process of adding a small amount of backset into a new batch of whiskey before distillation, a common practice that ensures consistency). It’s a blend of just seven barrels—four containing Kentucky straight rye whiskey, and three Kentucky straight bourbon casks, ranging in age between 12 and more than 30 years, and bottled at 115.2 proof.

“Each release of Michter’s Celebration is truly unique and cannot be replicated,” said Michter’s president Joseph J. Magliocco in a statement. “This extraordinary whiskey is a symphony decades in the making, orchestrated by master of maturation Andrea Wilson and master distiller Dan McKee. Together, they carefully oversee the aging and blending process, selecting these seven whiskeys not only for the extraordinary individual characteristics each brings, but with the understanding that together, they will create a whiskey so exquisite that the sum is even greater than its individual parts. It reflects patience, precision, and profound expertise composed into a single, unforgettable experience.”

That’s a pretty lofty description, but how does the new Celebration Sour Mash actually taste? Well… I can’t tell you that, because this whiskey is so rare and limited that samples were not provided. But the Michter’s team provided a little insight of their own that might help. This is the third Celebration release under McKee, who personally selected the barrels and this to say: “It’s remarkable how the oldest barrels contribute just the right amount of oak influence while leaving room for the delicate nuances of the other beautiful ryes and bourbons in the blend to shine.” It’s also about “blending whiskeys to a profile that surpasses the beauty of any one barrel alone,” according to Wilson. “The result is a composition of enchanting complexity, bold sophistication, and depth that echoes the timeless treasures of American whiskey.”

If you want to try Celebration Sour Mash for yourself, it arrives at specialty retailers this month. But be prepared for a hunt and some sticker shock when you find it—just 315 bottles are being released, and while the suggested retail price is $6,000, previous editions are listed at a minimum of $16,000 on the secondary market. The rest of the Michter’s lineup, however, can be found at websites like ReserveBar now.