LOUISVILLE, KY (February 23 2026) — Pursuit Spirits, the award-winning whiskey brand founded by the creators of Bourbon Pursuit, today announced the ultra-limited release of Pursuit United Barrel Proof Bourbon: "The Alpha Barrel". This release marks a historic milestone for the brand as the first and only barrel proof single barrel expression of its flagship Pursuit United Bourbon. 

Originally blended and re-entered into the barrel in December 2023, "The Alpha Barrel" began as a rigorous R&D experiment to observe the effects of extended secondary aging on the Pursuit United profile at full barrel strength. This became specifically intriguing because the wheated component of Pursuit United bourbon utilizes a lower barrel entry proof of 102 to achieve a signature balance, this specific barrel defied standard aging conventions. 

Bottled on February 12, 2026, the whiskey underwent a remarkable transformation. After more than two years of additional maturation, the proof climbed from its original 118 entry to a staggering 132.4 proof—the highest proof ever bottled for Pursuit United Bourbon. 

"We are extremely excited at the result of this experiment," said Ryan Cecil, Co-Founder and Master Blender of Pursuit Spirits. "The 'Alpha Barrel' proved that our blend can not only handle higher proofs but thrive with extended aging. Because of this success, we are officially beginning the process of laying down more barrels for further single barrel releases. While this initial launch is extremely limited, we look forward to scaling this program and opening it up to our retail and on-premise accounts in the future." 

Due to the nature of the experiment and the high rate of evaporation over the extended aging period, the yield of "The Alpha Barrel" is limited to only 81 bottles.

A small selection of bottles will be available for purchase at the Pursuit Spirits Whiskey Row location (722 W. Main St, Louisville, KY) starting Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The remaining bottles will be reserved exclusively for P.Club members as part of the upcoming allocation release scheduled for late February. Pursuit United Barrel Proof Bourbon: "The Alpha Barrel" will be available for $99.99 for a limited time. 

ABOUT PURSUIT SPIRITS: Pursuit Spirits is a Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by the innovative forces behind the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. Their journey began with a deep curiosity and an unwavering dedication to the craft, leading them to seek out and blend exceptional American whiskeys. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits has pioneered a modern, customized approach to blending, carefully selecting award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the country. This unique method allows them to consistently craft small-batch expressions with unparalleled flavor complexity. Their award-winning Pursuit United line exemplifies this by harmoniously uniting diverse mash bills and barrel types. Additionally, their distillery-exclusive Mellwood Legacy Collection pays homage to the rich history of their distillery's location. Pursuit Spirits provides more than just bottles; their venue on Whiskey Row offers curated, immersive experiences where guests can participate in exclusive barrel selections and bottle their own whiskey; P. Club, an all-access, exclusive pass to Pursuit Spirits no matter your location; and a cocktail lounge called Trial + Error that seamlessly balances warm, lived-in charm and stylish modern comfort, complete with an extensive spirits menu and a variety of small bites. 

LOCATIONS:
Distillery Location: 1700 Mellwood Ave. Louisville KY 40206
‍Whiskey Row Location: 722 W. Main St, Suite 100, Louisville KY 40202