Our First 2026 Rare Character Limited Release Drop

It isn't often we're able to send out a Rare Character release to our main list. Not for lack of want - quite the opposite. Rare Character remains one of the most exciting brands in whiskey right now, but the limited nature of their offerings has made it difficult to share widely. While these will likely still move very quickly, we wanted to re-highlight one of our favorite brands with the Seelbach's audience.  
 
We’ve journeyed alongside them since some of the earliest single barrels, from our IRT-35 5-year bourbon to the “Origin Series” RIO barrels and many more along the way. Over the years, we’ve watched Rare Character steadily grow, expand into new product lines, and refine their barrel program, bringing us here today with the Batch 02 2026 releases of Limited Release Bourbon, Limited Release Rye, and Limited Release Kentucky Whiskey. 
 
The Limited Release line represents the pinnacle of their barrel program: a thoughtful marriage of some of the finest barrels discovered on their journey through America’s most storied rickhouses. Each cask is chosen for its individuality: bold aromatics, layered flavors, and unique character. Together, they create a whiskey greater than the sum of its parts, offering depth, complexity, and balance that single barrels alone can’t deliver.
 
Batch 02 2026 Bourbon is a 7-9 year blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon coming in at 119.94 proof.
 
Utilizing the remainder of the low yield barrels from Indiana saved from 26B1, B2 used those as a foundation of the blend while adding in two different Kentucky mashbills to create the final product that you are experiencing. 

Fresh orange zest, marshmallow, cinnamon graham cracker, brown sugar, honeycrisp apple, charred oak, toffee, fresh baked bread, raspberry, and vanilla.
 
Weighty mouthfeel - fresh apples, cinnamon sugar, honey, black pepper, cherry cola, light leather, nutmeg, raspberry, toasted sugars, soft oak tannins, and whipped cream.

Long length finish, the 119.94 proof is very much on point. 26B2 drinks every bit of it, but without overwhelming the palate. A mix of clove, nutmeg, and allspice greet you on the finish with nuances of different fruits, such as, apple, pear, cherry, and raspberry before leaning into the heartier notes of oak, whipped cream, and fresh bread. 26B2 is one that offers different flavors and experiences so it can pair well with just about anything. 

We are also back with Batch 02 of their Limited Release Rye. RCLR Rye has been a hit with rye enthusiasts, beginners, and even bourbon fans who enjoy rye occasionally. This blend features 8-year rye whiskey from Kentucky and Indiana, showcasing the unique characteristics of rye whiskey that drinks beyond its age. Prepare to be captivated by its spicy, herbal, and oak-rich nuances that dance across your palate.