It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 15th 2026. Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf.
Show Notes:
- Brown-Forman rejects Sazerac’s $15 billion takeover bid to maintain family-owned independence
- Sixth Circuit strikes down Ohio’s unconstitutional ban on out-of-state wine shipping
- “Free Our Spirits” campaign launches to privatize North Carolina’s government-run liquor system
- FBI Director Kash Patel under fire for gifting personalized Woodford Reserve bottles
- Little Book Chapter 10 “All the Wiser” debuts with intuitive blending at 122.6 proof
- New Riff 2026 Single Malt features heirloom British barley and five-cask finishing
- Wenzel Distillery Batch 2 Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon launches as a 119.1 proof limited release
- Green River Honey Finished Bourbon utilizes 100% local, raw honey inside the barrel
- Chattanooga Whiskey marks 10th Bottled in Bond vintage with new five-grain mash bill
- Maker’s Mark honors America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic red, white, and blue bottle
- Town Branch releases 6-Year Wheated Bourbon as its first dedicated wheat expression
- Penelope Bourbon debuts “Architects of Golf” trilogy featuring variable stave finishing intensity