Former Wine Club Exclusives Launch for Public Purchase at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival
CALISTOGA, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2026) — Phifer Pavitt Spirits is bringing its limited-production bourbon whiskeys, LATE NIGHT and RESERVE, to the public for the first time, with sales beginning at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. The two bourbons, until now reserved exclusively for Phifer Pavitt wine club members, can be purchased online now with a Phifer Pavitt Spirits membership at phiferpavittspirits.com, or in person for ticket holders throughout the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 10–13, in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Rooted in Phifer Pavitt’s Napa Valley winemaking expertise, both expressions pair straight bourbon whiskey with extended finishing in the winery’s flagship DATE NIGHT and premium RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, bringing together the character of mature whiskey with the influence of Phifer Pavitt’s acclaimed wines. Both spirits have been finished, blended, and bottled by their collaborative partner, Whiskey House of Kentucky.
“Everything we do is rooted in our connection to the land — to our vineyards, to the barrels that hold our wine, and to the moments where people slow down to truly savor something,” said Suzanne Phifer Pavitt, founder of Phifer Pavitt Spirits. “Our DATE NIGHT dream has become a reality, and now we’re inviting a wider circle of bourbon lovers to be part of that story — whether this is their first pour or their fiftieth.”
Phifer Pavitt’s approach to cabernet-finished bourbon first gained industry attention through an earlier limited release, recognized with:
- 93 points, Wine Enthusiast
- 92 points, Whisky Advocate
- Double Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- Named among Robb Report’s 50 Best Bourbons of the 21st Century
- Featured in a Forbes roundup of standout cask-finished whiskeys
LATE NIGHT and RESERVE build on that foundation, returning to the interplay between longer-aged bourbon and Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon barrels while introducing two new expressions of the concept. LATE NIGHT has already drawn attention of its own, named one of the standout pours of the 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival by Drinkhacker.
LATE NIGHT
LATE NIGHT is an 11-year straight bourbon whiskey finished for 13 months in Phifer Pavitt DATE NIGHT Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and bottled at 107 proof. Designed for everyday celebration — equally suited to a neat pour or a well-built cocktail — LATE NIGHT is offered in a limited run.
On the nose, layered cabernet-kissed French oak meets bold vanilla, dark caramel, spiced almonds, worn leather and cinnamon spice. The palate is complex and bold, with rich raisin and fig deepening into smoked caramel and almond brittle, followed by a long, warm finish.
RESERVE
RESERVE is a 12-year Tennessee straight bourbon whiskey finished for 24 months in Phifer Pavitt RESERVE Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and bottled at 115 proof, cask strength.
Rich dark fruit, dark chocolate and toasted oak lead the nose, followed by a palate of vanilla bean, caramelized sugar, toasted almonds, charred maple wood, worn leather and cinnamon spice. Velvety toffee and espresso deepen into a warm, lingering finish.
Bottles are now available for purchase online through a Phifer Pavitt Spirits membership, offering consumers beyond the winery’s existing wine club a new way to access Phifer Pavitt Spirits. A two-bottle set featuring RESERVE and LATE NIGHT is also available for those looking to experience both expressions together.
Purchase online: phiferpavittspirits.com
Phifer Pavitt Spirits at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Phifer Pavitt Spirits will also bring LATE NIGHT and RESERVE to the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky, Sept. 10–13 — marking the first time Phifer Pavitt Spirits will be available for purchase by general festival attendees.
Festival attendees can purchase LATE NIGHT and RESERVE in person, on-site at the Whiskey House chalet throughout the festival weekend, Sept. 10–13, while limited quantities last.
Tasting Hours: 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Whiskey House chalet.
On-Site Purchase: Available at the Whiskey House chalet throughout the festival weekend, while quantities last.
The expanded availability marks a new chapter for Phifer Pavitt Spirits, bringing its distinctive approach to cabernet-finished bourbon to a broader audience while maintaining the limited-production nature of each release.
For additional information about LATE NIGHT, RESERVE and Phifer Pavitt Spirits, visit phiferpavittspirits.com.
About Phifer Pavitt Spirits
Born from Phifer Pavitt’s Napa Valley winemaking heritage, Phifer Pavitt Spirits explores the intersection of aged American whiskey and wine barrel finishing. Its limited-production releases are finished in Phifer Pavitt Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, bringing a distinctly Napa Valley perspective to American whiskey.
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