Larrikin Bourbon Co. has announced the launch of its highly limited “Australia Series,” a collection of three cask-strength bourbons finished in distinctive Australian barrels. Three limited 11-year-old cask strength bourbons feature uniquely Australian barrel finishes.

The exclusive collection will be available only during the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky, giving bourbon enthusiasts the opportunity to experience three unique expressions inspired by Australian ingredients and barrel finishes.

The Australia Series includes:
- Manuka Honey Barrel Finish
- Golden Wattle Barrel Finish
- Sugar Cane Rum Barrel Finish

The collection has been produced from just six barrels of 11-year-old Old Elk bourbon. Made from a high-rye mash bill of 51% corn, 34% rye and 15% malted barley, the bourbon provides a consistent foundation for the three distinct finishing processes. Each expression will be bottled at cask strength.

Three Australian-Inspired Finishes

Larrikin Bourbon Co. founder and distiller Greg Keeley said the series was created to explore how authentic Australian barrel finishes could transform the same bourbon.

“We were bloody lucky to get our hands on these unique Aussie barrels,” said Keeley. “We wanted to see what three genuine Australian finishes—Manuka honey, golden wattle and sugar cane rum—would do to the same bourbon. The Manuka honey is subtle and lingers, the golden wattle is simply extraordinary, and the rum barrel will have folks hoisting the jolly roger. Same bourbon going in, three very different expressions coming out.”

Adding to the exclusivity, the three expressions will be released individually throughout the festival’s main weekend.
Friday, September 11: Manuka Honey Barrel Finish
Saturday, September 12: Golden Wattle Barrel Finish
Sunday, September 13: Sugar Cane Rum Barrel Finish

Exclusively Available at the Festival

The Australia Series will be sold exclusively at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, with each expression available only while its limited allocation lasts. There are currently no plans for a retail or online release, making the festival the only opportunity to purchase bottles from the collection.

The 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival will take place from September 10–13 in Bardstown, Kentucky, bringing bourbon producers, enthusiasts and industry representatives together for one of the year's major celebrations of American whiskey culture.