- - Eli Manning Reveals His ‘Boldest’ Picks — From Bourbon to Super Bowl LX Predictions (Exclusive)

Emily RellaJanuary 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM

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Eli Manning speaks onstage at the Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at Jacob Javits Center on August 16, 2024 in New York City. -

Eli Manning has released a new full cask-strength bourbon, Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch, in partnership with Knob Creek ahead of Super Bowl LX, marking his second year collaborating with the brand

The retired NFL star tells PEOPLE that he was hands-on in the selection process, visiting the distillery, tasting multiple barrels and leaning on Master Distiller Freddie Noe’s expertise to craft what he calls a “very bold,” warmer, full-bodied bourbon

Manning — who began enjoying bourbon after retiring — says he prefers it on the rocks during a big game and shared early Super Bowl thoughts, noting Seattle could be the NFC standout while the Broncos’ close wins in the AFC “scare” him

Eli Manning is a man who lives his life at full strength — and his latest bourbon release is certainly not one for the weak.

The retired NFL star, 45, has released a new full cask-strength bourbon in partnership with Knob Creek ahead of Super Bowl LX for football fans to enjoy before, after and — of course — during the Big Game, aptly called Eli Manning's Bold Pick: 2026 Batch.

Knob Creek

Eli Manning Knob Creek collab

This is Manning’s second year partnering with the company on a limited release and he was hands on throughout the entire process, visiting the Knob Creek distillery to sample, learn and taste the different variations of bourbon before selecting this year’s choice.

“We started this kind of project last year, in the beginning of 2025 for my first batch. And so I went back again this year in August and met with [Master Distiller] Freddie Noe, who's legendary and just so knowledgeable,” Manning told PEOPLE of the selection process. “I'm sitting there and I’m tasting the different barrels and kind of acting like I know what's going on, but really listening to him and letting him kind of lead the way.”

He continued: “Just being there, talking around bourbon, the history around that and going through the tastings of the different barrels and opening them up, it's so much fun. So I'm so excited about this project. I think we have a very bold bourbon this year. It's a little bit, I think, warmer and full body, last year’s is a little spicier. I think seeing that difference from year to year has been really cool.”

The Manningcast host explained that his love for bourbon came long after his love for football — in fact, it began after he retired.

Knob Creek

Eli Manning Knob Creek collab

“I’ve been drinking probably the last like five or six years, probably when I retired from playing football, I started getting in a little bit into bourbon,” he said. “My dad started getting into it. He likes an old fashioned, so I started having a few old fashions.”

Manning said that his favorite way to sip on the spirit is “on the rocks on kind of a cold day watching a big game,” which will suit him well during this year’s Big Game.

While the former NFL star admits that there’s no one “dominant team” this year, he still has some predictions about which team might find themselves on the field at Levi's Stadium next month.

Knob Creek

Eli Manning Knob Creek collab

“I think maybe Seattle [Seahawks], if you kind of look at it as the team that might be the most dominant, of any of them and in my mind from the NFC. The AFC, the Broncos have obviously won a lot of close games but that scares me a little bit, the fact they played so many.”

He continued: “I think that that's what makes the playoffs so exciting is that it's gonna come down to some bold decisions, some fourth quarter drive, some going forward on fourth down, you know, going for two [points] in certain situations. That's what makes the games exciting and the fans excited, looking forward to those big decisions that occur.”

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”