2026 World Championship Barrel Relay® Presented by Independent Stave Company

By ISC Barrels

The World Championship Barrel Relay returned for its 35th year in 2026, bringing the bourbon industry together for a day of camaraderie and spirited competition. Teams rolled 500-pound barrels around the track and putting their immense skill, speed and efficiency to the test.

This year's lineup featured the biggest names in bourbon- Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barton 1792 Distillery, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Green River Distilling, Heaven Hill Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling, Maker's Mark, Potter Jane Distilling, Whiskey House of Kentucky and Willett Distillery.

For Corey Miles of Maker's Mark, success at the Relay is nothing new. Miles has captured three Men's Individual titles in the past five years, including back-to-back championships in 2025 and 2026. The only other competitor to capture the title during that span is his brother, Derek Miles, also of Maker's Mark, who won in 2022 and 2023, setting a World Record in 2022 before breaking his own record the following year.

"It's hard to put into words," Miles said. "Winning one of the individual titles is something to be proud of, so to be able to win three out of the past five years is just incredible. It’s only because Derek and I have pushed each other to be as fast as we are now.”

This year, the celebration for the Miles brothers extended beyond the individual competition. It also delivered a long-awaited team championship for Maker's Mark.

"It really meant a lot," Miles said. "We've been after it for the past 5 years and to finally put one together where we all can celebrate together was amazing."

While Maker's Mark won the Men's Team competition, the women of Buffalo Trace added another chapter to one of the Barrel Relay's most impressive streaks, capturing their fifth consecutive championship title.

“Every win makes you even hungrier for the next one,” said Brittany McGraw of Buffalo Trace. “There’s always that little bit of fear and pressure going into the competition because you want to keep the streak alive, but that’s also what pushes us to work even harder.”

In a competition where fractions of a second can separate teams, maintaining that level of excellence year after year is a remarkable feat. Buffalo Trace's continued success is a testament to their hard work behind the scenes.

“People don’t always see the sweat, tears, and hard work that go into preparing for the Barrel Relay. We put a lot of time into practicing, watching videos, studying different techniques, and coming up with strategies to figure out what works best for us as a team. It takes a lot of commitment, discipline, and teamwork,” McGraw shared.

As for next year’s title, McGraw said, “We’re ready to defend it now! Even after five consecutive wins, we know we still have to put in the work and never take anything for granted. We try to approach every year like we’re going after our very first win. Getting that fifth win was an incredible feeling, and we’re hoping to keep that tradition going for many more years!”