Brother Justus Whiskey Company Releases Fourth Expression of Acclaimed Founder’s Reserve Series

Fourth Expression of Acclaimed Founder’s Reserve Series, Crafted Annually, Never Repeats; Minneapolis Cocktail Room Opens for a One-Night Celebration

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, UNITED STATES, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- MINNEAPOLIS, September 14, 2026 — Brother Justus Whiskey Company, a Minneapolis-based craft distillery, announced the limited release of the fourth expression of its annual Founder's Reserve series. Founder's Reserve IV (2026), made from 100 percent two-row pale ale malted barley and aged in new, charred Minnesota white oak barrels, is bottled at 55% ABV/110 proof and available in a run of only 1,000 bottles.

The release comes on the heels of the distillery's most decorated year to date. Founder's Reserve III (2025) earned the fourth spot on whiskey expert Fred Minnick's annual list of the top 100 American whiskeys — and his personal favorite of the year. This year, the distillery's flagship American Whiskey was awarded 97 points, Double Gold, and Best of Class Finalist honors at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — the same honors previously awarded to Founder's Reserve 1 (2023). The recognition is evidence, as Founder and CEO Phil Steger has noted, of a craft that keeps getting better.

"Our Founder's Reserve never repeats itself, because the whiskey always has something new to reveal. This year, it was stone fruit and the image it brought with it: a slow breakfast in sunshine, nowhere to be,” said Steger. “Twenty-five barrels, two to four years old, single- and double-distilled yielded a gradually unfolding fruit jam over fresh butter and rye bread that earns every sip."

Each Founder's Reserve expression is distinct from the distillery's core products and previous special releases. Like all Brother Justus American whiskeys, it is crafted exclusively from two-row pale ale malted barley, flavor-packed and cold-climate-grown white oak, and perfectly balanced limestone water from the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Details:
Nose: Dried apricot, sage, blackberry, and brown bread
Palate: Marmalade, brown sugar, herbed butter, and toasted sesame seed
Finish: Rye cracker, walnut, and wildflower honey
Color: Orange topaz
Age: 2-4 years
Limited run of fewer than 1,000 bottles
Available in 750ml bottles
Proof: 55% ABV/110 Proof
Price: $149.99

Brother Justus Founder’s Reserve IV (2026) is available online (shipping to most states), at the Distillery Bottle Shop in Minneapolis, and in many liquor stores in Minnesota and Illinois (see the store locator for specifics). Additionally, there will be a special event in the Minneapolis distillery for Brother Justus fans to get free sips of the new spirit on Thursday, September 17 (registration required).

Previous expressions of Founder's Reserve are largely sold out. Contact a Brother Justus retailer to find out if they still have any in stock (Founder’s Reserve I (2023), Founder’s Reserve II (2024), and Founder’s Reserve III (2025)). Other special releases expected this year include six different Single Barrel Selections with select on- and off-premise retailers, releasing later this fall.

About Brother Justus Whiskey Company
Brother Justus Whiskey Company, a distiller of luxury American Whiskey made from 100 percent malted barley, was founded in Minneapolis in 2014. Inspired by the landscape of the North Star State, all ingredients—barley, water, oak, and peat—are Minnesota-sourced to craft perfect sips of whiskey. The company opened its industrial production facility in March 2021 in Minneapolis, and is now capable of producing more than 66,000 proof gallons (gallons at 100 proof) of whiskey annually. Named in 2026 as a Fred Minnick favorite (acclaimed global whiskey expert), the company also has received international accolades for flavor, quality, and innovation. The company’s products are currently available for purchase online (to most states), and at restaurants and liquor stores in Minnesota and Illinois.

# # #

Dawn Bryant
Simplydawnb, LLC
+1 612-859-6941
email us here