LEDBETTER, Texas (April 29, 2026) — Texas-based Koopers Whiskey today announced its most ambitious release to date: a 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey featuring an unprecedented nine-year secondary maturation in a used Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel.
Defying industry norms where “finishing” typically lasts only months, Koopers has leveraged the intense Texas climate to marry the bold spice of a 100% rye mash bill with the deep, mellow sweetness of seasoned Buffalo Trace oak. This limited-edition expression will be available exclusively at the Koopers Whiskey tasting room in Ledbetter, Texas, on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
“This whiskey tells our story better than anything we’ve released,” said Koopers Whiskey Master Blender Troy Kooper. “It starts with our roots at Koval Distillery in Chicago, where Michelle and I trained as distillers under Dr. Robert Birnecker. Koval gave us our start by allowing us access to unaged distillate while we were building our plans. But along the way, we fell in love with the art of aging, blending, and maturation—and that ultimately came to define who we are.”
Originally distilled in Illinois, the whiskey was transported to Texas for a decade of maturation. The final nine years were spent in a 7-year-old Buffalo Trace cask, resulting in a complex profile of dark caramel, cherry, and tobacco leaf. Due to the high “Angel’s Share” evaporation caused by Texas heat, only 231 bottles (375ml) were produced.
Product Details:
- Mash Bill: 100% Rye
- Age: 10 Years (9-year secondary finish)
- Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
- Price: $50 (375ml)
- Availability: May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (Ledbetter, TX Tasting Room)
For more information, visit KoopersWhiskey.com.
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