There are bourbons, and then there are bourbons that mean something. The latest release from Remus Bourbon falls squarely into the second category. The brand just announced Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve Bourbon, a limited-edition bottle packed with so much intentional detail that it almost demands you sit down before you start reading the label.
This is the follow-up to the Remus Babe Ruth Reserve Bourbon, which came out in both 2024 and 2025. That series did well enough that the folks at Remus kept the baseball theme going, and this time they landed on one of the sport's most revered figures — Lou Gehrig, the New York Yankees first baseman who played 2,130 consecutive games and earned the nickname the "Iron Horse" for being as durable as he was talented.
Gehrig was the kind of player who showed up every single day, did his job without complaining, and let his numbers do the talking. It turns out that kind of character translates well to a bourbon release.
Every Number on This Bottle Tells a Story
Master Distiller Ian Stirsman put a lot of thought into this one. The bourbon is made from four separate mash bills — a nod to Gehrig's famous No. 4 jersey. The bottle comes in at 109 proof, which connects to the 100th anniversary of Gehrig's 109 RBI season back in 1926. That 1926 season wasn't a fluke, either. It was the start of 13 straight seasons in which Gehrig drove in 100 or more runs — a streak that stands as one of the most consistent stretches of production in baseball history.
Only 9,665 bottles are being released nationally. That number represents Gehrig's total career plate appearances, and Remus didn't stop there. Each bottle carries a QR code on the back label. Scan it, and you'll find out exactly what Gehrig did at the plate during the game that corresponds to your bottle's specific plate appearance number. That's the kind of added layer that turns a bottle into something closer to a piece of history.
Stirsman explained the thinking behind the release: "In the 1920s, only one man was worthy of following Babe Ruth in the lineup, and that was the great Lou Gehrig. In 2026, the same holds true. Every detail was thoughtfully created to celebrate his legacy in a meaningful way, while maintaining the craftsmanship of Remus Bourbon that drinkers love and expect from our distillery."
What's Actually in the Bottle
For those who want to get into the specifics of the liquid itself, here's the breakdown. Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve is made up of four distinct components. The largest portion is 70% bourbon from 2017 built on a 49% rye mash bill, which gives it a solid backbone. That's blended with 14% bourbon from 2016 using a 44% rye mash bill. The remaining portions — each at 8% — come from 2019 bourbons, one with a 99% corn mash bill and one with a 36% rye mash bill. The corn-heavy component rounds out the sweetness, while the varying rye levels across the blend create a complexity that takes some time to work through.
The bottle itself is worth a look before you ever crack the seal. There's an embossed baseball diamond-shaped label and a baseball bat knob closure. It's the kind of packaging that doesn't feel gimmicky because the effort put into the liquid earns it.
The whole thing comes out of the Ross & Squibb Distillery, where Remus Bourbon has been crafted under Stirsman's watch. The distillery uses naturally limestone-filtered water pulled from the Great Miami Aquifer, which has long been part of what defines the regional style of bourbon coming out of that part of the country. The Remus name itself reaches back to George Remus, a figure from the Prohibition era who became known as the "King of the Bootleggers" — a history the brand leans into without apology.
A Donation That Carries Real Weight
The release also carries a charitable component that connects directly to Gehrig's legacy. Lou Gehrig died in 1941 from ALS, the degenerative neurological disease that, to this day, many people still refer to simply as "Lou Gehrig's disease." The Live Like Lou Foundation works to fund research into ALS and provide support for families who are dealing with the disease right now.
Remus is donating $9,665 to Live Like Lou — one dollar for every one of Gehrig's career plate appearances. They're also extending that effort to consumers through social media. For every like and comment on launch content posted to the brand's Instagram account at @remusbourbon, Remus will donate an additional dollar, up to $2,130. That cap isn't arbitrary — it's Gehrig's consecutive games played record.
Wendy Faust, Executive Director of the Live Like Lou Foundation, spoke to what the partnership means: "Partnerships like this are powerful because they turn awareness into action for the ALS community. At Live Like Lou, we are committed to supporting families facing ALS today while investing in research to change the future of this disease. Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve honors Lou's legacy in a meaningful way, bringing people together to raise critical funds, expand awareness, and help us continue our important work."
Where to Find It and What It Costs
Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve is rolling out now in select markets across the country. The suggested retail price is $129.99 for a 750mL bottle. For anyone who can't track it down locally, it's also available online through ReserveBar.com.
Given that only 9,665 bottles exist and that the release is tied to a figure of Gehrig's stature, it's safe to assume these won't sit on shelves for long. Collectors will want it for the bottle alone. Fans of well-constructed high-rye bourbons will want it for what's inside. And anyone who grew up watching baseball or simply respects the kind of grit Gehrig represented will likely find something meaningful in the whole package.
A Legacy Worth Pouring One For
Lou Gehrig spent his career in the shadow of Babe Ruth and never seemed to mind. He just kept playing, kept producing, and kept showing up. When he was finally forced to step away from the game in 1939, he stood at home plate at Yankee Stadium and told a packed crowd he considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. He died two years later at 37.
That kind of story deserves more than a footnote. Remus Bourbon has gone out of its way to make sure this release honors the details — the numbers, the records, the character — in a way that feels earned. Whether someone buys it to drink, to collect, or simply to have on the shelf as a reminder of what sustained excellence looks like, the bottle delivers on what it promises.
For more information on Remus Bourbon and the Lou Gehrig Reserve, visit remusbourbon.com.
