Big news out of the scoop shop: Graeter's Backstretch Bourbon Cherry has been nominated for Dairy Foods 2026 Product of the Year, and voting is officially open. We'll say it plainly: we're thrilled, and a little smug, because this flavor has been turning heads since the first spoonful left the French Pot®.
What makes Backstretch Bourbon Cherry a contender
This isn't a flavor built for a trend cycle. Backstretch Bourbon Cherry is a smooth bourbon ice cream layered with black cherries and praline pecans, crafted for a bold, indulgent bite. It doesn't apologize for its richness: exactly the kind of ice cream we've been stubbornly making since 1870.
The name nods to the energy of race day, that stretch of track where things get interesting. We figured a flavor with that much character deserved a name with a little swagger to match.
Why quality still wins, every single time
A nomination like this doesn't happen by accident. It happens because every batch of Backstretch Bourbon Cherry is still made the way we've always made ice cream: two and a half gallons at a time, in small-batch French Pot freezers, with superior ingredients and zero shortcuts.
That process is slower. It's more labor-intensive. It's also non-negotiable for us, because it's the only way we know how to make ice cream that's actually worth talking about. When an industry publication takes notice, it's confirmation of something our fans have known for generations: the craft is the difference.
How to cast your vote
Dairy Foods' 2026 Product of the Year recognition is decided in part by public vote, which means the people who love this flavor most get a real say in the outcome. If you've tasted Backstretch Bourbon Cherry and it stopped you mid-scoop, now's the moment to make that opinion count.
- Head to the Dairy Foods Product of the Year voting page to cast your ballot.
- Share the news with fellow ice cream lovers who've already fallen for this flavor.
- Spread the word on social: every vote helps tell the industry what we've believed all along.
Haven't tried it yet? Let's fix that.
Voting is a lot more fun when you've actually tasted what you're voting for. Stop into a Graeter's scoop shop and see for yourself why Backstretch Bourbon Cherry earned a spot on this year's shortlist.
Whether you're a longtime regular or new to the family, this is exactly the kind of ice cream we set out to make back in 1870: crafted with obsession, made for celebrating, and, evidently, worth a nomination or two. Come taste the greatest bourbon cherry ice cream we've ever handpacked, and vote like you mean it.
Ready to taste it for yourself? Find a scoop shop near you.
