Nine Bourbon Experts, 11 Barrels, One $50 Bourbon
Artfully Bourbon / October 15, 2026New Era Distillery introduces Marquee Exclusive, a small-batch bourbon created by a panel of bourbon personalities, with a price tag under $50.
Photo Credit: New Era DistilleryNew Era Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, is taking a different approach to creating its newest bourbon. Instead of leaving blending entirely to the distillery, they're handing some decisions to people who know and love whiskey.
The result is Marquee Exclusive Small Batch Bourbon, a blend of 11 Kentucky bourbon barrels aged 5 to 9 years, featuring seven different mash bills. And at $50, it's priced to be approachable.
What to know
- Brand: Marquee Exclusive
- Distillery: New Era Distillery
- Type: Small Batch Bourbon
- Proof: Not disclosed
- Age: 5–9 years
- Blend: 11 barrels, 7 mash bills
- Price: $50 (750ml)
- Release: October 2026
- Availability: New Era Distillery, online and select Kentucky retailers
For the inaugural release, New Era brought together nine bourbon personalities, including bartenders, retailers, whiskey writers and bourbon society members.
The group tasted through 30 barrels before splitting into three teams to develop their own blends. Each team presented its creation, and the entire panel voted to select the final bourbon.
Participants included Maggie Kimberl of American Whiskey Magazine, Kenny Mills of the Mash Up Bourbon Podcast, Mark Rucker of The Bourbon Life Podcast, and representatives from Liquor Barn, Watch Hill Proper and several Kentucky bourbon organizations.
Future batches will follow a similar process, bringing in different groups of whiskey enthusiasts and industry personalities to create their own versions of Marquee.
Photo Credit: New Era DistilleryThe AB take
We like this idea. Get a bunch of bourbon people together, let them argue over barrels and see what they come up with. Sounds like a pretty good time to us.
At $50, the price is right, too. And we have to give them credit for the labels. They're colorful, creative and a refreshing change from the traditional bourbon look.
Now we just need to try the whiskey.
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