In the rolling hills of Oldham County, Kentucky, a new player has entered the bourbon scene with a release that’s turning heads and tantalizing taste buds. Trackside Distilling Company, a fresh face in the whiskey world, has unveiled its debut offering: the Trackside Founder Release 2025. This Kentucky bourbon, crafted with care and a nod to tradition, is making waves for its unique flavor profile and the passionate story behind its creation. For bourbon enthusiasts and casual sippers alike, this release is a must-know, and here’s why it stands out in a crowded market.
A Passion Project Born from Experience
Trackside Distilling Company isn’t just another distillery popping up in Kentucky’s bourbon-soaked landscape. It’s the brainchild of two industry heavyweights: Master Distiller Jade Peterson and veteran Jeremy Dever. Together, they’ve poured their expertise and love for whiskey into a project that feels personal and purposeful. Peterson, in particular, brings a treasure trove of experience to the table, having spent the last decade curating a private collection of exceptional whiskey barrels. These barrels, carefully selected over years of tasting and acquisition, form the backbone of Trackside’s first release.
Peterson’s approach is rooted in a deep appreciation for the craft. “Over my career, I’ve been lucky enough to taste and collect some truly special whiskeys,” he shared in a recent statement. “We felt the time was right to blend these unique spirits into something extraordinary under the Trackside name.” This isn’t about churning out another bourbon to fill shelves—it’s about creating something memorable, a bottle that tells a story with every sip.
The Art and Science of Trackside Founder Release 2025
What makes the Trackside Founder Release 2025 so special? It starts with the bourbon itself. This is a four-grain Kentucky bourbon, built on a chocolate malted mash bill that sets it apart from the standard corn-heavy recipes. The four-grain blend—combining corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley—creates a complex foundation, while the chocolate malt adds a rich, distinctive depth. Aged for a minimum of four years in charred American oak barrels, the bourbon develops a balanced character that’s both bold and approachable.
Crafting this release was no small feat. Peterson and Dever approached the blending process like artists and scientists, experimenting with a variety of barrels from Peterson’s collection. These barrels, with their diverse mash bills, ages, proofs, and barrel types, offered a playground of flavors to work with. The challenge was finding the perfect combination—flavors that complemented each other to create a harmonious whole. “It’s a blend of art and science,” Peterson explained, “figuring out how specific notes come together to make a bottle that’s worthy of being Trackside’s first.”
The result is a 93-proof (46.5% ABV) bourbon that’s as inviting as it is complex. On the nose, drinkers can expect sweet confectioner’s sugar, creamy vanilla, and a hint of roasted cocoa. Take a sip, and the palate unfolds with dark chocolate, smoky oak, ripe cherries, and candied stone fruit. The finish is long and lingering, leaving behind a warm mix of cherry and toasted sugar that begs for another taste. It’s a bourbon that feels crafted, not manufactured, and it’s clear that every decision was made with intention.
A Nod to Kentucky’s Racing Heritage
The name “Trackside” isn’t just a catchy moniker—it’s a tribute to Kentucky’s deep-rooted connection to horse racing and bourbon. As Dever pointed out, some of the world’s finest bourbons are produced in the shadow of one of the most legendary racetracks on the planet. “Distilling is a lot like racing,” he said. “It takes precision, coordination, and a lot of moving parts working together to cross the finish line or create the perfect bottle.”
This connection to Kentucky’s racing culture adds a layer of authenticity to the Trackside brand. The Founder Release 2025 isn’t just a bourbon; it’s a celebration of the state’s traditions, from the rolling pastures of horse country to the rickhouses filled with aging barrels. By naming their debut release after this heritage, Peterson and Dever are staking a claim as a distillery that’s proud to be part of Kentucky’s story.
Where to Find It and Why It’s Worth the Hunt
Trackside Founder Release 2025 is a limited bottling, which means it won’t be sitting on every liquor store shelf. Available at select retailers across Kentucky, including the prestigious Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Shop, this bourbon is distributed by Heritage Wine and Spirits. With a suggested retail price of $59.99 for a 750ml bottle, it’s positioned as a premium yet accessible option for bourbon fans looking to try something new.
The limited nature of the release adds to its allure. Only a finite number of bottles are available, making it a potential collector’s item for those who appreciate the craft of small-batch bourbon. For locals and visitors to Kentucky, stopping by the Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Shop offers a chance to snag a bottle while soaking in the state’s racing and bourbon culture. For those outside the region, checking with specialty retailers or online bourbon communities might yield a lead on where to find this gem.
A Distillery with a Bigger Vision
Trackside Distilling Company is more than just a one-hit wonder. As a subsidiary of Just A Distiller, Enterprises, LLC, the distillery is poised to make a lasting mark on the bourbon industry. The Founder Release 2025 is just the beginning, a proof of concept that showcases what Peterson and Dever are capable of. With Peterson’s barrel collection as a foundation, the distillery has the resources to continue experimenting and releasing unique expressions in the years to come.
What sets Trackside apart is its commitment to quality over quantity. This isn’t a distillery focused on flooding the market with generic whiskey. Instead, it’s about curating experiences—bottles that spark conversation, evoke memories, and honor the craft of bourbon-making. The Founder Release 2025 is a testament to that philosophy, and it’s a safe bet that future releases will follow the same thoughtful approach.
Why Bourbon Fans Should Care
For anyone who loves bourbon, Trackside Distilling Company’s debut is worth paying attention to. It’s not every day that a new distillery launches with such a strong offering, backed by the expertise of a master distiller and a veteran of the industry. The Trackside Founder Release 2025 delivers on flavor, heritage, and craftsmanship, making it a standout in a state known for its whiskey.
Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon hunter or someone just dipping their toes into the world of Kentucky whiskey, this release offers something special. It’s a chance to taste a bourbon that’s been years in the making, crafted from a unique collection of barrels and inspired by the spirit of Kentucky. At $59.99, it’s a bottle that delivers far more than its price tag suggests, both in quality and in the story it tells.
Final Thoughts
Trackside Distilling Company has arrived, and it’s clear they’re here to stay. The Founder Release 2025 is a bold first step, a bourbon that balances innovation with tradition and invites drinkers to experience Kentucky in a new way. From its chocolate malted mash bill to its racing-inspired name, every detail of this release feels intentional and heartfelt. For those lucky enough to snag a bottle, it’s more than just a drink—it’s a piece of Kentucky’s bourbon legacy, bottled and ready to be savored.
So, next time you’re in Kentucky or browsing a bourbon retailer, keep an eye out for Trackside Founder Release 2025. It’s a bottle that’s worth seeking out, and it just might become your new favorite pour.
