Old Fourth Distillery and Dragon Con co-founders have unveiled the second annual edition of Dragon Con Bourbon, a limited-release whiskey honoring four decades of one of pop culture’s most recognizable conventions.
ATLANTA, GA. (June 2026) — Few fan conventions have achieved the cultural staying power of Dragon Con. This September, the Atlanta institution celebrates its 40th anniversary, and attendees will have an opportunity to commemorate the milestone with a bottle created specifically for the occasion.
Old Fourth Distillery has announced the 2026 edition of Dragon Con Bourbon, the second annual release born from a collaboration between the Atlanta distillery and Dragon Con’s co-founders. The limited-edition whiskey is intended as both a collectible and a celebration of four decades of fandom, cosplay, panels, and the convention’s iconic parade through downtown Atlanta.
With only 3,700 bottles available, the release is expected to appeal equally to whiskey enthusiasts and longtime convention attendees.
A Whiskey Built Around the Dragon Con Experience
Anniversary releases often rely heavily on branding. Dragon Con Bourbon attempts to go a step further by pairing collectible presentation with a whiskey profile designed to stand on its own.
Old Fourth Distillery crafted the bourbon using a high-rye mashbill consisting of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The whiskey was aged between four and six years before being bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).
That higher rye content should contribute a noticeable spice component while still allowing the sweetness of the corn-forward foundation to remain intact. According to the distillery, the resulting whiskey balances approachable character with enough structure to satisfy experienced bourbon drinkers.
The release also continues what appears to be an ongoing collectible series. Each annual edition features a unique label design, giving Dragon Con attendees a reason to return year after year as the collection grows.
“The bourbon serves as a tangible extension of the Dragon Con experience.”
Why This Matters
Collaborations between conventions and spirits brands have become increasingly common, but few conventions possess Dragon Con’s scale, longevity, or dedicated community.
Founded in 1987, Dragon Con has grown into one of North America’s largest pop culture conventions, drawing tens of thousands of attendees annually to downtown Atlanta. The event has become known for its expansive programming, elaborate cosplay culture, celebrity guests, and one of the country’s most recognizable convention parades.
The bourbon serves as a tangible extension of that community experience.
Rather than positioning the whiskey as a simple souvenir, the partnership reflects a broader trend of lifestyle-driven whiskey releases aimed at passionate fan bases. Much like sports team bottlings or music-themed collaborations, Dragon Con Bourbon connects enthusiasts to a shared experience through a collectible product that extends beyond the event itself.
For many attendees, the bottle may ultimately become a keepsake as much as a pour.
The Whiskey
- Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Distillery: Old Fourth Distillery
- Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
- Age: 4–6 Years
- Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
- MSRP: $39.99
- Bottle Size: 750mL
- Limited Release: 3,700 Bottles
Additional personalization options will also be available. Consumers can add custom engraving to their bottle for an additional $15, further emphasizing the release’s collectible nature.
Availability
Dragon Con Bourbon is available for preorder through Dragon Con’s official fan channels ahead of the convention’s September 2026 celebration.
Given the relatively small bottle count and the convention’s dedicated following, availability may prove limited as the anniversary event approaches.
The Bottom Line
Dragon Con Bourbon succeeds because it understands its audience.
The release isn’t attempting to be the rarest whiskey on the shelf or the most technically ambitious bourbon of the year. Instead, it offers something many fans value just as much: a meaningful connection to an event that has become a tradition for generations of attendees.
For Dragon Con veterans, the bottle represents forty years of memories. For collectors, it’s the latest entry in what could become an increasingly sought-after annual series. And for bourbon drinkers, it’s a reasonably priced, high-rye release from one of Atlanta’s best-known distilleries.
In a hobby built on stories and shared experiences, that combination may be exactly what makes this release worth chasing.
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