The News
Hooten Young announced the release of Constitution Hull Reserve, an ultra-rare whiskey commemorating 250 years of American independence. The whiskey was barreled on Veterans Day, November 11, 2006, and matured for more than nineteen years. It was finished with southern live oak from the USS Constitution, America's oldest commissioned warship.
Hooten Young’s latest micro‑release redefines the ultra‑premium whiskey found on cocktail bar back‑bars. The brand distilled a single, 19‑year‑old spirit and bottled only 250 units—each marked with a unique number and signed Certificate of Stewardship—and set the price at $799 for a 750 ml bottle.
That price places the product solidly in the ultra‑premium tier. In Q1 2026 the average super‑premium American whiskey sold on the market was $172 per 750 ml, roughly one‑quarter of Hooten Young’s figure—underscoring the release’s high‑end positioning rather than volume.
The bottle is only available through Seelbach’s online platform; no wholesale or retail distribution was mentioned in the press release. With fewer than 300 bottles released, it sits under 0.3% of all limited releases—a rarity that justifies its digital‑only approach and high price point.
Finished in oak sourced from the USS Constitution and aged over nineteen years, the whiskey carries a military heritage narrative bars can lean into without overstating volume. Secondary market prices for similar offerings have risen 22 % since 2023, according to Whiskey Invest Direct data—an indicator that collectors may see secondary value grow as well.
Because of its online exclusivity and 250‑unit cap, distributors will not manage typical depletions or secure shelf space in a regular outlet. Bar managers considering this bottle should keep inventory minimal—no more than one case per location—to avoid overstocking an item unlikely to move beyond its initial splash.
Operators looking for a hyper‑exclusive, ultra‑premium showcase will find Hooten Young’s Constitution Hull Reserve available only through Seelbach’s online channel and likely to appear on menus as a single storytelling piece rather than a staple pour.
Original Press Release
Hooten Young releases Constitution Hull Reserve, an ultra-rare American whiskey commemorating 250 years of American independence—and America’s oldest commissioned warship. Only 250 individually numbered bottles. Finished with authentic timber from the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides.”
Hooten Young, America’s Favorite Pairing: Whiskey & Cigars, today announced the release of Constitution Hull Reserve, an ultra-rare American whiskey made to commemorate 250 years of American independence. With only 250 bottles ever produced, each individually numbered, this is one of the most historically significant and limited whiskey releases ever brought to market. And for Norm Hooten of Hooten Young, every one of them carries more than whiskey.
A Whiskey for the History Books
Constitution Hull Reserve was barreled on Veterans Day, November 11, 2006—the 88th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice that ended World War I—a deliberate act of reverence from the very first day. The whiskey was then allowed to mature patiently, undisturbed, for more than nineteen years until it reached the depth and character that only time can impart.
What sets this release apart is its extraordinary finishing process. In its final stage of aging, the whiskey was entrusted with a piece of southern live oak once used in the construction of the USS Constitution—America’s oldest commissioned warship and the vessel known to history as “Old Ironsides.” That same oak, chosen over two centuries ago for its legendary strength and resilience, helped carry a young nation through its earliest trials at sea. Today, it imparts its legacy directly into every drop of this whiskey.
A Certificate of Stewardship, Not Merely Ownership
Each of the 250 bottles is accompanied by a Certificate of Stewardship, signed by Hooten Young founder, U.S. Army Master Sergeant (Ret.) Norm Hooten. The certificate reflects the brand’s philosophy that acquiring a bottle of Constitution Hull Reserve is not simply a purchase—it is an act of custodianship.
The release is individually numbered to mark a quarter millennium of American independence. Each bottle honors patience, self-determination, and respect for those who built what came before.
Crafted Without Compromise
True to Hooten Young’s founding ethos, Constitution Hull Reserve was never rushed and never forced. The whiskey was allowed to develop entirely on its own terms—a reflection of the discipline and resolve that define both the brand and the American story it was built to honor.
Once opened, it cannot be replaced. Once emptied, it will exist only in memory—much like the moments and stories it is meant to accompany.
Constitution Hull Reserve — Specifications
Age: 19 Years
Barreled: Veterans Day, November 11, 2006
Proof: 138.6
ALC/VOL: 69.3%
Mash Bill: 99% Corn / 1% Barley
Classification: Ultra-Rare American Whiskey
Finishing: Southern live oak from the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”)
Bottle Size: 750ml
Bottles Available: 250 — Individually numbered
Availability: Online via Seelbach's (seelbachs.com)
Launches: Pre-sale starts May 15, 2026
Sources consulted (web research):
- Hooten Young Constitution Hull Reserve 250 Bottles For 250 Years
- 967898
- Hooten Young Unveils 19year Constitution Hull Reserve Whiskey 250 Bot…
- Hooten Young Releases Constitution Hull Reserve
- Hooten Young Releases Constitution Hull Reserve
Source: BevNET