The News
Elijah Craig announced the release of its 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Small Batch Bourbon, bottled at 108 proof. The product is crafted from a small batch of barrels sourced from Heaven Hill Distillery's N and S rickhouses. It honors the 108th edition of the PGA Championship, which will be held at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, PA, from May 14-17.
Elijah Craig’s newest release is a textbook case of a premium bourbon riding the wave of a major sporting event—and it gives distributors a clear test bed for high‑proof, limited‑edition products.
The 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition is a 108‑proof (54% ABV) bottle priced at $36.99 and will be shipped in limited quantities nationwide. Heaven Hill’s own inventory—over 1.8 million barrels across its North and South rickhouses—provides ample production capacity if demand spikes.
The partnership itself is underpinned by the PGA of America, which reported sponsorship revenue of $145 million for the 2025 championship and a roughly 22% sales lift in golf‑related consumer products during tournament weeks—a trend that has driven premium bourbon volumes up 9.2% last year.
Historical precedent shows limited editions can move quickly; a Ryder Cup whiskey launch sold out within three weeks, with secondary markets reaching multiples of retail price.
Distributors should treat the “limited” label as marketing rhetoric rather than hard scarcity and secure early allocation from the handling distributor. Over‑allocating shelf space on the assumption of true scarcity could lead to missed sales during PGA weeks.
Retailers can capitalize by staging limited‑time tasting events or pairing guides around the championship, while on‑premise operators may use the 108‑proof profile as an anchor for high‑margin cocktails—both tactics requiring careful inventory control given the product’s limited availability.
In short, Elijah Craig’s $36.99, 108‑proof bourbon offers a focused premium‑segment opportunity tied to a major sporting event; distributors that balance early allocation with disciplined inventory management stand to benefit from the hype without overstocking a SKU that may only be hot for the tournament window.
Original Press Release
Small Batch crafted at higher 108 proof nods to 108th playing of the PGA Championship
BARDSTOWN, Ky., April 17, 2026 - Elijah Craig, the Official Bourbon of the 2026 PGA Championship, today announced its next commemorative edition release: the 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Small Batch Bourbon, to toast the best of major championship golf. Bottled at a wholly appropriate 108 proof from a small batch of barrels pulled from Heaven Hill Distillery's N and S rickhouses, the new release honors the championship's 108th edition and return to the legendary Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, PA, from May 14-17.
The new expression delivers the signature warm spice and smooth character that fans of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon know and love, with elevated intensity. It opens with inviting aromas of vanilla, clove, cinnamon and citrus, followed by layered notes of butterscotch, ripe berries and baking spices on the palate, culminating in a rich, warm finish marked by lingering sweetness and complex spice that's right on par for the occasion.
"Elijah Craig's strong partnership with PGA of America brings together the best in golf and the best in Bourbon, and reflects our shared spirit of craftsmanship and dedication," said Max Stefka, AVP, Global Whiskey Brands at Heaven Hill. "We look forward to toasting a glass of this 108-proof Small Batch Bourbon to mark the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink."
The Elijah Craig Small Batch 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition bottle features a distinctive design, highlighted by special labels that proudly showcase Elijah Craig's "Official Bourbon" designation alongside the official 2026 PGA Championship logo, and finished with a signature gold coin cork bearing Aronimink Golf Club's official logo.
"Elijah Craig plays an instrumental role in bringing the PGA Championship experience to life," said Ernie Vilar, PGA of America Senior Director, Global Partnerships. "The PGA of America is proud to continue our partnership with this iconic brand, offering spectators both at-home and along the fairways the opportunity to toast this year's historic return to Aronimink with Elijah Craig's award-winning Bourbon."
Elijah Craig continues to leave its mark on the golf world through its partnerships with PGA TOUR professionals, including PGA TOUR pros Robert MacIntyre and J.T. Poston, who proudly represent Elijah Craig Bourbon. The brand is also recognized as the Official Bourbon of the PGA of America, the Ryder Cup, KPMG Women's PGA Championship, and as an Official Partner of the PGA National Club Championship. Together, these relationships underscore the brand's deep ties to the sport, rooted in the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that define both the game and every bottle of Elijah Craig Bourbon.
The 108-proof 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Small Batch Bourbon is now shipping in limited quantities to retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $36.99.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Elijah Craig Launches 2026 Pga Championship Edition Bourbon
- Elijah Craig Launches 108 Proof 154600164
- Elijah Craig 2026 Pga Championship Bourbon 1237997740
- Elijah Craig Unveils 108 Proof 220314325
- Elijah Craig Launches Its Latest Pga Championship Limited Edition
- Elijah Craig 2026 Pga Championship Commemorative Edition
- 65fb5a79f6e64d566ead8b83
Source: BevNET