Brother Justus releases fourth Founder’s Reserve whiskey

Brother Justus Whiskey Company launched the fourth annual expression of its Founder’s Reserve series in Minneapolis, with fewer than 1,000 bottles now available. The limited 2026 release follows a standout awards year and will be marked by a one-night distillery event on Sept. 17.

Why it matters: - Brother Justus is using a limited annual release to reinforce its premium positioning in a crowded American whiskey market. - The new bottling follows major industry recognition, which can help drive demand for the distillery’s core whiskey and special releases.

What happened: - Brother Justus Whiskey Company announced Founder’s Reserve IV (2026), the fourth expression in its annual Founder’s Reserve series. - The release is limited to fewer than 1,000 bottles. - The whiskey is available now online, at the Distillery Bottle Shop in Minneapolis, and at many liquor stores in Minnesota and Illinois. - The Minneapolis distillery will host a one-night tasting event on Thursday, Sept. 17, with free sips for attendees who register.

The details: - Founder’s Reserve IV is made from 100% two-row pale ale malted barley. - The whiskey is aged in new, charred Minnesota white oak barrels. - The bottling strength is 55% ABV, or 110 proof. - The whiskey is sold in 750ml bottles. - The price is $149.99. - The aroma profile includes dried apricot, sage, blackberry and brown bread. - The palate features marmalade, brown sugar, herbed butter and toasted sesame seed. - The finish includes rye cracker, walnut and wildflower honey. - The color is described as orange topaz. - The age range is 2 to 4 years. - Brother Justus says each Founder’s Reserve expression is distinct from the distillery’s core products and previous special releases. - The company says its whiskeys are made exclusively from two-row pale ale malted barley, cold-climate-grown white oak and limestone water from the headwaters of the Mississippi River. - Previous Founder’s Reserve releases from 2023, 2024 and 2025 are largely sold out. - Brother Justus also expects six Single Barrel Selections to release later this fall through select on- and off-premise retailers.

Between the lines: - Founder’s Reserve IV arrives after a strong awards run that gives Brother Justus more credibility with whiskey buyers and collectors. - Founder’s Reserve III (2025) ranked fourth on Fred Minnick’s annual top 100 American whiskeys list and was his personal favorite of the year. - The distillery’s flagship American Whiskey earned 97 points, Double Gold and Best of Class Finalist honors at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. - Those same honors were previously awarded to Founder’s Reserve I (2023), signaling consistency across the lineup. - Founder and CEO Phil Steger said the annual release never repeats and this year’s whiskey showed stone fruit notes and a profile he described as slow breakfast in sunshine.

What's next: - Brother Justus is pointing buyers to its store locator and retail partners to check remaining stock of earlier Founder’s Reserve bottles. - The company’s next wave of special releases will be the six Single Barrel Selections arriving later this fall. - Brother Justus continues to sell its whiskey online in most states and through restaurants and liquor stores in Minnesota and Illinois.

The bottom line: - Brother Justus is pairing scarcity, awards and a one-night launch event to keep its annual Founder’s Reserve series in the premium conversation.