The News
Milam & Greene Whiskey announced the release of Live Oak, a new bourbon in its Wildlife Collection on May 27, 2026. The product is named after live oak trees in Blanco, Texas, and supports the Blanco County Conservation Initiative. The release highlights the distillery's commitment to conservation efforts.
Milam & Greene’s newest bourbon, Live Oak, arrives amid a broader contraction in premium whiskey sales—industry‑wide revenue fell roughly 15 % to $18.3 billion in 2024 as on‑premise demand softened and inventories piled up【1】. In that environment, limited‑edition releases are increasingly used to capture niche demand rather than drive volume.
Live Oak is a 750‑ml bottle of 123.4 proof (61.7 % ABV) aged 6 years, 11 months in split barrels—four Kentucky‑distilled barrels and one Texas‑aged barrel【2】. The run is capped at 608 bottles, the same yield that the distillery’s product page lists for the Wildlife Collection【3】.
Because Live Oak is sold only through Milam & Greene’s tasting room in Blanco, Texas, and a handful of select retail partners, bars that wish to feature it must obtain the spirit via those channels. The release does not enter the standard wholesale distribution network, so regular shelf placement at off‑premise retailers is not an option.
The brand ties the limited edition to conservation: proceeds support the Blanco County Conservation Initiative【2】. This narrative adds a provenance hook that may help justify its premium price point of $149.99 per bottle【3】.
In the secondary market, premium bourbons priced above $150 per bottle have seen their resale values drop 20–30 % in early 2025, reflecting broader skepticism around “hype” releases【3】. Live Oak’s tight supply and Texas‑Kentucky split aging may mitigate some of that devaluation, but the brand is betting on direct‑to‑consumer sales and storytelling rather than speculative resale.
For retailers, the key takeaway is that shelf space for Live Oak should be reserved for high‑margin, niche offerings. Operators who already carry the Wildlife Collection can slot it as a premium, conversation starter; those without an existing partnership with Milam & Greene will likely find the SKU too scarce to justify inventory investment.
By focusing on provenance and limited availability, Milam & Greene is positioning Live Oak as a boutique option that aligns with current trade priorities of portfolio diversification and premiumization while sidestepping the volume‑centric pressures facing the broader whiskey market.
Original Press Release
Blanco, TX (May 27, 2026) - Milam & Greene Whiskey proudly announces the release of Live Oak, the newest expression in its acclaimed Wildlife Collection – the distillery’s highly sought-after series of limited-edition bourbons known for selling out quickly upon release. Inspired by the enduring beauty and resilience of the Texas Hill Country, Live Oak continues the collection’s tradition of showcasing exceptional whiskey while supporting Texas conservation efforts.
Named for the majestic live oak trees that shade visitors at the Milam & Greene distillery in Blanco, Texas, this release pays tribute to one of the most symbolic and ecologically important trees in the Hill Country landscape. The live oak represents endurance, shelter, interconnectedness, and quiet resilience—qualities that mirror both the character of the land and the whiskey shaped by it.
Unlike towering redwoods or mountain pines, the live oak’s strength is not found in dramatic height, but in permanence. Rooted deep in Texas terroir and shaped by climate and time, live oaks thrive through drought, wind, heat, limestone soil, and rapidly changing seasons. Their branches stretch outward rather than upward, creating expansive canopies that provide shade, refuge, and life for entire ecosystems beneath them.
As part of the Wildlife Collection’s ongoing mission to support conservation efforts, Milam & Greene is proud to partner with the Blanco County Conservation Initiative for this release. A portion of proceeds will help support the organization’s work preserving and protecting the natural beauty, wildlife, and open spaces of Blanco County.
Distilled in Bardstown, Kentucky, in May 2019 from a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% rye, and 12% barley malt, the barrels that became Live Oak arrived in Blanco in the summer of 2023. After aging in Milam & Greene’s rickhouses through the intense Texas climate, the whiskey developed extraordinary depth, richness, and balance.
Originally selected for Milam & Greene’s exclusive Single Barrel Private Select Program, the final four barrels from this lot demonstrated such exceptional character that the distillery chose to preserve them as a special Wildlife Collection release.
“These barrels told a different story once they arrived in Texas,” said Marlene Holmes, Master Distiller at Milam & Greene Whiskey. “The Hill Country climate pushes whiskey in a way that demands constant attention, and with Live Oak we saw these barrels develop deeper texture, richer caramel notes, and a balance that really reflects the environment they aged in. Naming this release after the live oaks on our property felt fitting because, like those trees, this whiskey was shaped by enduring the extremes of Texas year after year.”
Bottled at 123.4 proof (61.7% ABV), the nearly seven-year-old bourbon delivers a deeply layered sensory experience. The nose opens with aromas of caramel candy, grape nuts cereal, biscuit, earth, dusty oak, and marzipan. On the palate, a viscous, oily mouthfeel carries sweet notes of caramel and honey alongside creamed corn, oak, nutmeg, and almond. The finish lingers with honey, oak, black pepper, and herbaceous mint.
“What made these barrels special was how well they held their structure through the years of aging,” said Rikk Munroe, Director of Distillery Operations and Master Blender at Milam & Greene Whiskey. “You can trace the progression of the whiskey from Kentucky into Texas just by tasting it. The foundation was already there, but the time spent aging in Blanco brought out a heavier texture, deeper oak integration, and more developed spice and herbaceous notes. Once we saw how consistently these final barrels were performing, it became clear they belonged together as a Wildlife Collection release.”
The release consists of just 608 bottles drawn from four carefully selected barrels and aged both in Kentucky and Texas, allowing the whiskey to develop complexity from two distinct climates before being polished by the intense conditions of the Texas Hill Country.
“Live Oak represents everything we love about making whiskey in Blanco—honoring the land around us while creating something that people can gather around and genuinely connect with,” said Marsha Milam, Founder of Milam & Greene Whiskey. “The Hill Country has a way of leaving its mark on both the whiskey and the people who experience it. Being able to celebrate that through this release, while also supporting conservation efforts in Blanco County, makes Live Oak especially meaningful for our team.”
Wildlife Collection: Live Oak Details:
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Rye, 12% Barley Malt
Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Rye, 12% Barley Malt
Age: 6 Years, 11 Months
Age: 6 Years, 11 Months
Proof: 123.4
Proof: 123.4
Yield: 608 Bottles
Yield: 608 Bottles
Barrel Numbers: 23-0638, 23-0647, 23-0906, 23-0908
Barrel Numbers: 23-0638, 23-0647, 23-0906, 23-0908
Bottled: April 14–15, 2026
Bottled: April 14–15, 2026
Live Oak will be available in limited quantities through the Milam & Greene tasting room and select retail partners.
Milam & Greene Whiskey is currently distributed in 19 states and is available for online purchase.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Milam Greene Unveils Live Oak Bourbon As The Latest Release In Its Wi…
- Milam Greene Unveils Live Oak Bourbon As The Latest Release In Its Wi…
- Six Years And Eleven Months In The Making Milam Greenes Live Oak Bour…
- Milam Greene Whiskey Unveils The Wildlife Collection
Source: BevNET