Milam & Greene Unveils "Live Oak" Bourbon as the Latest Release in Its Wildlife Collection

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

• Age: 6 Years, 11 Months

• Proof: 123.4

• ABV: 61.7%

• Yield: 608 Bottles

• Barrel Numbers: 23-0638, 23-0647, 23-0906, 23-0908

• 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.

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ABOUT MILAM & GREENE WHISKEY

Milam & Greene crafts bold whiskeys transformed by the extremes of Texas Hill Country weather, where scorching summers and limestone-filtered water create spirits that could only come from this place. The portfolio includes whiskeys distilled and matured on site, as well as carefully sourced barrels finished under the Texas sun in a process known as “Texification.” With decades of experience in blending, distilling, and brand building, Milam & Greene is dedicated to craftsmanship, authenticity, and sharing Texas whiskey with the world—bolder by the moment.

ABOUT MILAM & GREENE WHISKEY’S WILDLIFE SERIES

Milam & Greene’s Wildlife Series celebrates the beauty and spirit of the Texas Hill Country – the landscape that helps shape the character of its whiskey. Inspired by the region’s wildlife and rugged terrain, the series reflects the connection between the land and the craft of whiskey-making while supporting conservation efforts that protect the Hill Country for future generations.

PR CONTACT

Andrew Cosenza

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(856) 685-8147