Rolling Fork Spirits has brought back a piece of bourbon history with the launch of their Bourbon de Luxe Vintage Series, and whiskey enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement. The third release of their small-batch Bourbon de Luxe marks the debut of this exclusive series, which promises to showcase ultra-aged bourbons in extremely limited quantities. With only 500 bottles available, this 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon is already shaping up to be a collector’s dream and a treat for anyone who loves a high-quality sip.
The story of Bourbon de Luxe is one of resilience and revival. Originally created in 1911 by a Texas whiskey merchant named Milton Eppstein, the brand became a household name before Prohibition hit. It survived those dry years by being sold as a medicinal whiskey under the R.E. Wathen Co. and later became a staple of National Distillers, sharing shelf space with iconic names like Old Grand-Dad and Old Crow. By the early 2000s, though, Bourbon de Luxe had faded from retail shelves after being part of Jim Beam’s portfolio. That is, until Turner Wathen and Jordan Morris, the co-founders of Rolling Fork Spirits, decided to breathe new life into this historic brand.
Turner Wathen, whose family ties trace back to the Wathen family that once owned Bourbon de Luxe, and his business partner Jordan Morris have been passionate about reviving old brands since they started Rolling Fork Spirits in 2017. While they initially made a name for themselves blending award-winning rums, their hearts were set on bourbon. They wanted to bring back a brand with deep roots, one that honored Kentucky’s whiskey-making tradition while delivering something exceptional. Bourbon de Luxe was the perfect fit.
The third release of Bourbon de Luxe, which hit the market on April 25, 2025, is a testament to their commitment to quality. This batch is the first in the Bourbon de Luxe Vintage Series, a new line that will focus on ultra-aged bourbons, each release crafted to highlight the complexity and depth that only time in a barrel can bring. For this debut, Rolling Fork carefully selected four barrels of 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky. Bottled at a bold cask strength of 126.1 proof, this whiskey is designed to make an impression.
What makes this release stand out is the thought and care that went into choosing those four barrels. When the opportunity to source 16-year-old bourbon came up, Wathen and Morris didn’t just jump at it—they went all in. They tasted through the entire lot of available barrels to find the ones that matched the flavor profile they wanted for Bourbon de Luxe. Their goal was to create a whiskey that not only lived up to the brand’s storied past but also felt special enough to carry the Vintage Series label. As Morris put it, they wanted a bourbon that would be “memorable for customers” and worthy of the Prohibition-era Bourbon de Luxe name.
The result is a whiskey that’s as rich in flavor as it is in history. While specific tasting notes for this batch haven’t been widely shared, the high proof and 16 years of aging suggest a bold, complex pour with layers of oak, caramel, vanilla, and maybe even some spice or fruit notes that older bourbons often develop. At 126.1 proof, it’s a sipping whiskey that demands attention, perfect for enjoying neat or with a splash of water to open up its flavors. It’s the kind of bourbon you pour when you’re sharing stories with good friends, just as Wathen envisioned when he said their guiding principle was creating “high quality Kentucky bourbon meant to be enjoyed with good friends.”
This release is exclusive to Seelbachs.com, an online retailer known for curating top-notch craft spirits. Priced at $299 per bottle, it’s a premium offering, but for a 16-year-old cask-strength bourbon with only 500 bottles available, it’s a fair ask in today’s market, where rare whiskeys often fetch much higher prices. The limited nature of this release means it’s likely to sell out quickly, just like the first two batches of Bourbon de Luxe did when they launched in 2024. Those earlier releases, made from 8-year-old bourbon, flew off the shelves, with the first batch of 528 bottles selling out in days and the second batch of 1,116 bottles not far behind.
The success of those earlier releases gave Wathen and Morris the confidence to expand the Bourbon de Luxe line with the Vintage Series. The strong reception showed them that whiskey fans are hungry for high-quality, small-batch bourbons with a story to tell. And Bourbon de Luxe has a story that spans over a century, from its pre-Prohibition popularity to its medicinal whiskey days to its modern revival under Rolling Fork’s watchful eye. The brand’s motto, created by the Wathen family in 1788—“No Finer Spirits Can Be Made”—feels just as true today as it did back then.
For Rolling Fork Spirits, the Bourbon de Luxe Vintage Series is more than just a new product—it’s a way to honor the past while pushing the boundaries of what bourbon can be. Wathen and Morris have big plans for the series, with future releases already in the works for 2025 and beyond. They’ve even hinted at experimenting with unique finishes, like aging bourbon in rum casks from their Rolling Fork Rum line. If this first Vintage Series release is any indication, bourbon fans have a lot to look forward to.
For now, though, the focus is on this 16-year-old gem. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon collector or just someone who loves a good whiskey, the Bourbon de Luxe Vintage Series is worth seeking out. It’s a chance to own a piece of history, to taste a bourbon that’s been 16 years in the making, and to toast to the vision of two guys who refused to let a legendary brand stay forgotten. Head to Seelbachs.com to grab one of the 500 bottles before they’re gone—and don’t be surprised if you find yourself checking back for the next release in the series.
