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Union Horse Distilling Co. announced a limited-release "Match Day" American Straight Whiskey to commemorate the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. The event will include a distillery social on June 18, with the first 100 bottles released during the event. The whiskey will be available for purchase in Missouri and Kansas starting June 22, in 750 and 375 ML formats. It will also be available for pickup at the distillery location.
Union Horse Distilling Co. has announced its “Match Day” American Straight Whiskey—a 6‑year‑old, double‑barrel finish that ties into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City. The distillery will produce just 100 bottles—split between a 750 ml and a 375 ml format—that will be available at an event on June 18 and through a retail release that week limited to Missouri and Kansas.
The 750‑mL bottle is priced at $52–54, while the 375‑ml version carries an MSRP of $24–27. These prices underscore a focus on collectibility rather than mass penetration.
Limited‑edition releases usually account for less than five percent of a distillery’s output, and this release follows that pattern. The short window—one week—creates an opportunity for distributors who secure the allocation to meet immediate demand; those who miss it may need to explore alternative high‑margin products or negotiate secondary‑market arrangements with other local brands that share a premium positioning.
The geographic focus reflects a local‑first strategy. Missouri’s alcohol market is worth roughly $5.2 billion and Kansas about $3.4 billion, for a combined $8.6 billion in the region where Union Horse has an established presence. By concentrating on that 8.6‑billion‑dollar area, the distillery stays within its community ties without the logistical complexity of a national rollout.
For operators and distributors, the recommendation is to act before the June 22 release window. Those in Missouri and Kansas should secure their full allotment ahead of the event; if they cannot do so, they may need to explore alternative high‑margin products or negotiate secondary‑market arrangements with other local brands that share a premium positioning.
Original Press Release
Union Horse Distilling Co. Announces Limited-Release “Match Day” American Straight Whiskey in Celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games in Kansas City
June 8, 2026 (Lenexa, KS) — Union Horse Distilling Co. is proud to announce the upcoming release of its Limited Release “Match Day” American Straight Whiskey, a special commemorative whiskey crafted to celebrate Kansas City’s role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games. Union Horse Distillery will be hosting an official “Match Day” Distillery Social and Release Party on Thursday, June 18 from 5-10 PM at Union Horse Distilling Co. Join the team for whiskey flights, summer cocktails, delicious eats, and free sample tastings of “Match Day”. Union Horse will also be releasing the first 100 bottles of Limited Release “Match Day” American Straight Whiskey during the social. Bottles will be signed by Master Distiller Travis Vander Vegte and Co-Founder/Master Distiller Patrick Garcia. The event is free and open to all who are 21+.
The limited-edition public release is scheduled for the week of June 22 throughout Missouri and Kansas only, and will be offered in both 750 and 375 ML formats. As a limited release, availability will be extremely limited once sold out. In addition to MO and KS retailers, the whiskey will also be available for pickup at Union Horse Distilling Co. (11740 W 86th Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66214). Follow Union Horse on social media for more details about the Release Party and “Match Day”.
“We not only wanted to present something for the World Cup taking place in Kansas City this summer, but to also exemplify what it means to be from Kansas City to both visitors and our local audience. They can take the experience home from KC as a memory to celebrate our Midwestern hospitality,” said Director of Sales and Co-Founder, Damian Garcia. “Match Day American Straight Whiskey plays up to the hard work and strong Midwest character with deep roots in craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and hospitality. This whiskey commemorates and exemplifies who we are not only as a distillery, but as a host city in the Midwest. It makes a great souvenir for all those from abroad visiting our great city, or simply one to enjoy while taking in the World Cup Games this summer.”
The Limited Release “Match Day” American Straight Whiskey is a bold, yet approachable small-batch expression that reflects both craftsmanship and character. The whiskey is aged six years before undergoing an additional two-year double-barrel maturation in new and used American oak barrels. The final blend consists of 82% bourbon and 18% six-year-old malt whiskey that was aged exclusively in new American oak. Bottled at 96-proof, the release delivers a full-bodied profile with rich notes of biscuit and caramel layered alongside warm nutmeg and a subtle hint of tobacco, creating a complex and memorable sipping experience designed specifically for the occasion. In addition to the spirit itself, the packaging pays a tribute to the World Cup and Kansas City. The label incorporates metallic foiling and vibrant color accents inspired by the FIFA colors and the World Cup (MSRP: $24-27 for 375 ML; $52-$54 for 750 ML).
“The whiskey combines our award-winning Bourbon, double-barreled then blended with our single malt component to create a spirit inspired by both American tradition with a worldly recognizable vibe,” said Travis Vander Vegte, Master Distiller. “This whiskey was crafted to deliver a well-rounded profile that unfolds in layers — opening with rich notes of caramel and nutmeg, followed by toasted oak, biscuit, and subtle hints of dark fruit, creating a whiskey that is approachable, complex, and rooted in our Midwest whiskey heritage. Each sip reflects our commitment to producing authentic, artisanal spirits with character, balance, and lasting distinction.”
The distillery will also be partnering with local companies and events throughout the summer to help celebrate Kansas City’s moment on the global stage. Keep an eye on Union Horse’s social media for tasting events and visit the website to find their whiskeys in the KS and MO markets. Union Horse Distilling Co. emphasizes that while the release celebrates the city and its visitors, the company is not affiliated with or participating in official FIFA events.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Union Horse Distilling Co
- Lenexa Based Union Horse Distilling Co Reveals Limited Release Rye Wh…
- Union Horse Distilling Co Announces Year Round Release Of Bottled In…
- Unionhorse site
- Spirits
- Union Horse Distilling Lenexa 3
Source: BevNET