{"product_id":"shenks-homestead-kentucky-sour-mash-2026-release","title":"Shenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash 2026 Release","description":"\u003c!-- META DESCRIPTION --\u003e\n\u003cmeta name=\"description\" content=\"Shenk's Homestead 2026 Release, Michter's Legacy Series Kentucky sour mash whiskey aged in Vosges French oak and American oak, 91.2 proof, 750mL. Shop now.\"\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; color: #2b2b2b; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 style=\"font-size: 26px; color: #a86a12; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eShenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey — 2026 Release\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; color: #7a7a7a; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eMichter's Legacy Series, Small Batch, Rye-Forward Sour Mash Whiskey Aged in French and American Oak, 91.2 Proof\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eShenk's Homestead honors the very beginning of the Michter's story. In 1753, Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded a distillery on his Pennsylvania homestead, the operation that would become Bomberger's Distillery in the 1800s and Michter's in the 20th century. Alongside Bomberger's Declaration, it forms the Michter's Legacy Series, released once a year in limited quantities, and every edition is a little different because of the experimentation Michter's carries out at the distillery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eFor 2026, Master Distiller Dan McKee built a whiskey that is \"a bit rye forward,\" using caramel malted barley in the mash to lend what he calls a \"caramel bread pudding\" note that balances the spice. The whiskey matured in a mix of French oak from the Vosges forest, air dried for 24 months, and American oak air dried for 60 months. It is bottled small batch at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV), with each bottle hand-numbered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 19px; color: #a86a12; margin-top: 30px;\"\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel, toasted bread and baking spice, with a lift of rye.\u003cbr\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Caramel bread pudding, vanilla and dried fruit, balanced by peppery rye spice and French oak.\u003cbr\u003e\n  \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm and medium-long, with toffee, cinnamon and gentle oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 19px; color: #a86a12; margin-top: 30px;\"\u003eWhy Collectors Seek This Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"font-size: 16px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAnnual limited release from Michter's Legacy Series, a perennial sell-out\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eRye-forward 2026 recipe with caramel malted barley\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMatured in Vosges French oak air dried 24 months and American oak air dried 60 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCrafted by Master Distiller Dan McKee, bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHand-numbered small batch bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNamed for the 1753 homestead distillery at the root of America's oldest whiskey lineage\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 19px; color: #a86a12; margin-top: 30px;\"\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 15px; margin-top: 10px;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold; width: 40%;\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003eKentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, Small Batch\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003eMichter's Legacy Series, Shenk's Homestead, 2026 Release\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMash\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003eRye-Forward, with Caramel Malted Barley\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWood\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003eVosges French Oak (24-Month Air Dried) and American Oak (60-Month Air Dried)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e750mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ecdfc6;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003e91.2 Proof (45.6% Alc. Vol.)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 10px 8px 0; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 0;\"\u003eMichter's Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size: 13px; color: #7a7a7a; margin-top: 20px; font-style: italic;\"\u003ePlease drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c!-- FAQ SECTION --\u003e\n  \u003ch3 style=\"font-size: 22px; color: #a86a12; margin-top: 45px; border-top: 1px solid #ecdfc6; padding-top: 30px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eWhat is Shenk's Homestead?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eIt is an annual limited release from Michter's Legacy Series, named for the Pennsylvania homestead distillery John Shenk founded in 1753, the origin of what became Michter's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eWhat is a sour mash whiskey?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eSour mash is the traditional method of adding a portion of a previous fermentation to a new mash for consistency and balance. Shenk's is labeled Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey because its recipe and process sit just outside the strict bourbon definition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eWhat is different about the 2026 release?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eThe 2026 edition is rye forward, uses caramel malted barley for a caramel bread pudding note, and was matured in both Vosges French oak and long-seasoned American oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eHow does it compare to Bomberger's Declaration?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eBoth are Legacy Series releases. Shenk's is the softer, caramel-and-spice expression at 91.2 proof, while Bomberger's leans on Chinquapin oak for cherry and chocolate at 108 proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 4px;\"\u003eIs this a limited release?\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; margin-top: 0;\"\u003eYes. Shenk's Homestead is released once a year in limited quantities with hand-numbered bottles, and regularly sells out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- FAQ SCHEMA MARKUP (JSON-LD) --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is Shenk's Homestead?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"It is an annual limited release from Michter's Legacy Series, named for the Pennsylvania homestead distillery John Shenk founded in 1753, the origin of what became Michter's.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is a sour mash whiskey?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Sour mash is the traditional method of adding a portion of a previous fermentation to a new mash for consistency and balance. Shenk's is labeled Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey because its recipe and process sit just outside the strict bourbon definition.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What is different about the 2026 release?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"The 2026 edition is rye forward, uses caramel malted barley for a caramel bread pudding note, and was matured in both Vosges French oak and long-seasoned American oak.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How does it compare to Bomberger's Declaration?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Both are Legacy Series releases. Shenk's is the softer, caramel-and-spice expression at 91.2 proof, while Bomberger's leans on Chinquapin oak for cherry and chocolate at 108 proof.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is this a limited release?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. Shenk's Homestead is released once a year in limited quantities with hand-numbered bottles, and regularly sells out.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003c!-- PRODUCT SCHEMA MARKUP (JSON-LD) --\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"Product\",\n  \"name\": \"Shenk's Homestead Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, 2026 Release, 91.2 Proof, 750mL\",\n  \"description\": \"Shenk's Homestead 2026 Release is a small batch Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey from Michter's Legacy Series, rye forward with caramel malted barley, matured in Vosges French oak and American oak, and bottled at 91.2 proof (45.6% ABV) in hand-numbered bottles.\",\n  \"brand\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n    \"name\": \"Shenk's\"\n  },\n  \"manufacturer\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n    \"name\": \"Michter's Distillery\"\n  },\n  \"offers\": {\n    \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n    \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n    \"price\": \"110.00\",\n    \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\"\n  }\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Shenk’s Homestead","offers":[{"title":"750 ML","offer_id":50959882453185,"sku":"SHENKS-HOMESTEAD-WHISKEY-2026","price":129.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/6290\/9518\/files\/Shenk_sHomesteadKentuckySourMash2026Release.png?v=1794607770","url":"https:\/\/www.nestorliquor.com\/products\/shenks-homestead-kentucky-sour-mash-2026-release","provider":"Nestor Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}