LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 8, 2026) — Proof & Precedent today announces the release of M11, an 11-year-old Straight Rye Whiskey blended from four rare barrels distilled in Illinois in spring 2015 and aged for eleven years in Bardstown, Kentucky.

The inaugural release brings together exacting proportions of whiskey drawn from four archived barrels, each aged in specialty cooperage with a No. 3 char. The result is a limited micro-batch bottling that reflects the character of the original barrels and the deliberate craft of blending.

In 2026, the four barrels were brought out of the archives for consideration as Proof & Precedent’s debut release. Chief Blender Marcus Niemann assembled the final blend, which was unanimously approved by the tasting panel. The blend was then returned to one of the original barrels for an additional month of rest, allowing its component whiskeys to marry before bottling.

“To assemble M11, we returned the blend to one of the original barrels and allowed it to rest for another month,” said Niemann. “That final step gave the whiskey additional time to come together while preserving the distinctive character of these rare, eleven-year-old barrels.”

Bottled at barrel strength and without chill filtration, M11 represents Proof & Precedent’s approach to whiskey: thoughtful blending, respect for the spirit, and proving that the proof is in the bottle.

M11 will be available in limited quantities beginning in October 2026, exclusively through Seelbach’s. The suggested retail price is $185.99 per 750 mL bottle.

About Proof & Precedent
Founded in Louisville in 2026, Proof & Precedent was established to make the case for exceptional sourced whiskey through deliberate blending and uncompromising transparency. Each new limited edition provides proof of our core values and precedent for the next release.

For more information, visit instagram.com/proofandprecedent.