Knob Creek and Eli Manning Unveil Bold Pick: 2026 Batch Cask Strength Bourbon

Knob Creek has announced the release of Knob Creek® Single Barrel Select Cask Strength Bourbon, Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch, the brand’s second limited-edition barrel release tied to its season-long partnership with football legend Eli Manning. Timed to coincide with the culmination of the 2025–2026 football season, the cask-strength bourbon is now available nationwide for a limited time.

A New Evolution of the Single Barrel Select Program

The 2026 Batch represents the newest evolution of Knob Creek’s Single Barrel Select Program, introducing a cask-strength option bottled straight from the barrel. Hand-selected by Eli Manning at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky, the bourbon is unfiltered and uncut, with barrel proofs ranging from 112.2 to 121.6, highlighting the brand’s signature depth and intensity.

Bold, Gameday-Strengh Character

According to Knob Creek, the cask-strength expression opens with flavors of rich vanilla and toasted oak, develops into layers of roasted nuts and warm spice, and finishes with a long, full-bodied warmth. The release is designed to be enjoyed during major game-day moments, from postseason watch parties to championship celebrations.

Master Distiller Perspective

“Football teams are built on trust – trusting your picks, your preparation, and your instincts, whether you’re on the field or managing your fantasy lineup,” said Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller. “That same mindset guides how we make bourbon. Working with Eli last year set a high bar and bringing him back this season raised it. We put some of our finest barrels in front of him, and this one stood out right away. Bottled at cask strength, it delivers more intensity and more flavor – a full-bodied bourbon built for game day.”

Eli Manning on the Selection

“At this point in the season, you’ve made your calls, and it’s now about seeing them through,” said Eli Manning. “Hand-picking this barrel was a bold pick of its own – balanced, uncompromising, and full of character. It held up every time I came back to it, and that’s exactly what I expect from Knob Creek® when it counts most: a bourbon worthy of the biggest moments.”

Availability and Pricing

Knob Creek® Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch is available nationwide in limited quantities with a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750 mL bottle. The release concludes the brand’s Bold Picks campaign for the season, which has included game-day content, hosting tips, and cocktail features such as Eli’s Gameday Old Fashioned.

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