It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 23rd. Scotch producer Loch Lomond Group has made its first move into American whiskey with the purchase of New York Distilling Co., ORCA golf has a new bourbon inspired golf bag line, and Milam & Greene Whiskey introduce The Answer.

Show Notes:

• Loch Lomond Group acquires New York Distilling Co., entering American whiskey market.
• Council of Whiskey Masters welcomes 16 new members, including four Masters of Bourbon.
• BMW Car Club of America announces “Rendezvous – The Bourbon Trail 2025” in Louisville, June 12-15.
• ORCA GOLF launches Bourbon Collection golf bags in “Old Oak,” “Tawny,” and “Burnt Amber” hues, starting at $275.
• Hard Truth Distilling Co. partners with World Food Championships for “Charred Truth” Live Fire Invitational, June 27-28.
• New Riff Distilling releases First Decade Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye, 10-year-old, 120.5 proof, $90.
• Frank August releases Small Batch Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 10-15 barrels per batch, $69.99-$74.99.
• Woodford Reserve releases Tawny Port Finish in Distillery Series, 90.4 proof, $65 for 375ml.
• Rebel Bourbon and Childress Vineyards release Rebel 100 Cabernet Franc Barrel Finish, 100 proof, $39.99.
• Milam & Greene Whiskey introduces “The Answer” Straight Bourbon, a two-bottle set comparing Kentucky and Texas aging, $150.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 16th, Old Elk has been acquired by Middle West Spirits, Bardstown Bourbon Co has named a Master Blender, and Blue Run releases the Blue Run Flight Series

Show Notes:

• Old Elk acquired by Middle West Spirits; tasting room closed.
• Oregon ethics panel rejects Pappy Van Winkle scandal fine.
• InvestBev invests eight-figure sum in Registered Distillery One.
• Smoke & Oak book explores bourbon and cigar history, pairings, out May 28.
• Lofted Spirits elevates Dan Callaway to Master Blender.
• Knob Creek Single Barrel Select now cask strength, Bourbon & Rye, $69.99 SRP.
• Hard Truth releases American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon, 100 proof, $69.99.
• Blue Run Spirits releases Flight Series III “micro batch” whiskeys, $124.99 SRP each.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 9th, 2025. E.H. Taylor comes to the BTAC, Pursuit releases 4 new expressions and new packaging, Heaven Hill releases new Grain To Glass and Old Fitz.

Show Notes:

• Wild Turkey’s 8-year age statement likely ended around 2002 due to production shifts and industry decline.
• Documentary “Frankfort, Kentucky: The Heart of Bourbon” screening June 13.
• Camp Runamok returns for 14th year of bourbon education.
• Lost Lantern announces Discovery Club, a monthly whiskey subscription.
• Devils River Whiskey files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon joins Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in 2025.
• Pursuit Spirits introduces new proof points and packaging for Pursuit United Bourbon and Rye.
• Frey Ranch releases Harvester Series: 10th Anniversary Edition, 121.14 proof, $249.99.
• Chattanooga Whiskey releases Spring 2021 Bottled in Bond Vintage Series, $52.99.
• Green River Whiskey named Official Whiskey of the U.S. Army, commemorative release June 14, 111.1 proof.
• Heaven Hill launches Family Farms First initiative with Second Edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon, 105 proof.
• Heaven Hill releases Spring 2025 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series, 9-year-old, $129.99.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 2nd, 2025. National Bourbon Week in Bardstown releases event schedule, Derby Week insider announcements from Brown Forman, and Star Trek Spirits and Stellum collaborate on new whiskeys.

Show Notes:

• Brown Forman changes President’s Choice and New Woodford Reserve Barrel Strength Rye.
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend passes are sold out.
• National Bourbon Week announces full event schedule, June 9-15, 2025.
• Oaklore Distilling Co. releases Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon nationwide, 92 proof, $69.99.
• WOODINVILLE WHISKEY releases Tequila Finish Bourbon, 100 proof, $69.99.
• Quest’s End Whiskey unveils Quest’s End Druid, rum & vermouth finish, $149.99.
• Star Trek Spirits & Stellum Spirits release limited edition Romulan whiskeys, $79 each.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for April 25th, 2025. 2 court cases battle over the commerce clause for sprits shipping, Larrakin releases Rosewater Bourbon, and Ducks Unlimited and World Whiskey Society team up for a bourbon release.

Show Notes:

• Kentucky Distillers’ Association welcomes Left Bank Bourbon as newest member.
• Nearest Green Distillery launches The Fifty-Six Society membership club.
• California distillery sues New York over out-of-state shipping restrictions.
• Federal judge rejects New York whiskey maker’s challenge to Washington rule.
• Four Branches Bourbon appoints Gregg Snyder as strategic advisor.
• Larrikin Bourbon Co. releases Rosewater Bourbon, proofed with rosewater.
• Ducks Unlimited & World Whiskey Society release limited-edition whiskeys.
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon releases The John Edwards Release, 107 proof, $119.99.
• BHAKTA Spirits releases BHAKTA 2011 Bourbon, Armagnac cask finish, 111 proof, $149.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for April 18th, 2025. Garrard County Distilling Co. has closed only after 1 year in operation, Cream of Kentucky moves to Kentucky Artisan Distillery, and Angel’s Envy launches its newest Cellar Collection Series.

Show Notes:

• Garrard County Distilling Co. closes after a year, faces $2.2M lawsuit.
• Kentucky River returns to normal, Buffalo Trace begins flood recovery.
• Cream of Kentucky partners with Kentucky Artisan Distillery as its home place.
• RD1 Spirits announces May 14, 2025 opening of new Lexington distillery.
• Graeter’s & New Riff Distilling collaborate on Bourbon Ball Ice Cream.
• Rolling Fork Spirits re-releases Bourbon de Luxe small batch, 119 proof, $64.99.
• 2XO releases The Vinyl Blend bourbon, featuring high and moderate rye mash bills, $99.99.
• ANGEL’S ENVY releases Rye finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila barrels, $269.99.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for April 11th, 2025. Buffalo Trace stops production from flooding, bourbon is exempt from EU tariffs, Pursuit launches the Mellwood Legacy Collection.

Show Notes:

• Buffalo Trace Distillery temporarily closed due to Kentucky flooding.
• EU exempts bourbon from new US retaliatory tariffs after lobbying.
• EU enforces 20-year-old agreement, reclassifying European ‘rye whisky’.
• Heaven Hill fills first barrel at new Bardstown distillery after 29 years.
• Gigi Burris partners with Woodford Reserve for Kentucky Derby hat collection.
• Oxmoor Bourbon Co. becomes official partner of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.
• Westward Whiskey maker House Spirits files for bankruptcy protection.
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail sees record 2.7 million visitors in 2024.
• Woodford Reserve offers $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cups for Kentucky Derby.
• Barrell Craft Spirits releases P.X. Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon, $84.99.
• Jack Daniel’s releases McLaren F1 Team limited edition whiskey, 86 proof.
• Bluegrass Distillers launches Elkwood Reserve Finished Series, 119 proof, $105.
• Penelope Bourbon releases Peach Old Fashioned bottled cocktail, 80 proof, $29.99.
• Keeneland, Maker’s Mark honor Lexington with “Greats of the Gate” bottle, $179.99.
• Dancing Goat releases #8 I Would Rye 4 U, port finished rye, 108 proof, $60.
• Elijah Craig named “Official Bourbon” of 2025 PGA Championship, commemorative bottle $36.99.
• Old Dominick releases 7-Year Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel, $60-$70.
• The Last Drop releases 27 Year Old Buffalo Trace Bourbon, 121.8 proof, $10,500.
• Maker’s Mark debuts Star Hill Farm Whisky, first wheat whisky, 114.7 proof, $100.
• Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old Bourbon becomes permanent US offering, $45
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 21st, 2025. A brand new auction record hits with a Van Winkle Private selection, Heaven Hill launches the Connoisseur Club, and Booker’s releases the first batch of 2025.

Show Notes:

• Holladay Distillery breaks ground on Rickhouse D, ironclad bourbon aging.
• Old Rip Van Winkle bottle sells for record $125,000 at Sotheby’s.
• Heaven Hill launches Connesuir Club, exclusive bourbon access.
• Lux Row Distillers releases Blood Oath Pact 11, Tequila barrel finish, $129.99.
• Michter’s releases 10 Year Bourbon, 94.4 proof, $195.
• Buzzard’s Roost releases Signature Double Oak Bourbon, 100 proof, $45.
• Booker’s Batch “Barry’s Batch” 2025 released, 125.7 proof, $99.99.
• New Riff releases Silver Grove Bourbon and Rye, 110.3 and 110.2 proof, $55.99.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 21st, 2025. 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival announced tickets on sale, Brewzle announces their first Master Blender Collaboration, and David Jennings launches Caleb’s Crossing.

Show Notes:

• Diageo ends Distill Ventures brand intake, resulting in job losses.
• InvestBev partners for $100M Kentucky Bourbon barrel acquisition.
• Lexington man charged with unlicensed whiskey sales, thousands of bottles.
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 tickets on sale April 17th.
• Yellowstone Bourbon Small Batch 107 released, 6-year age statement, $44.99.
• Old Forester 117 Series Bottled in Bond Rye released, 100 proof, $64.99.
• Old Potrero Hotaling’s Bottled in Bond Rye released, 50% ABV, $199.
• Max Homa, Elijah Craig release 8-year Toasted Barrel pick, 126.6 proof.
• Brewzle, Old Dominick release Master Blender Collaboration, $90 bundle.
• Milam & Greene Gray Wolf Bourbon released, 125.5 proof, $149.99.
• Stephen Curry releases Gentleman’s Cut Rye, 4,000 days aged, $333.
• Maker’s Mark Keepers Release 2025 announced, 109.2 proof, $74.99.
• Caleb’s Crossing whiskey launched, Bourbon and Rye, $149.99 each.
• Shaquille O’Neal invests in BeatBox RTDs, releases Blueberry Lemonade.
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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 14th, 2025. I can’t believe we’re still talking about tariffs, the University of Kentucky has a new Estate Whiskey Alliance, and Chattanooga Whiskey releases Experimental Single Batch Series Pre Prohibition Style.

Show Notes:

• Trump delays Mexico, Canada tariffs to April 2nd.
• EU plans 50% whiskey tariff April 1st, may target other US spirits.
• Bourbon documentary filmed at Oxmoor Farm, streaming Spring 2025.
• UK launches Estate Whiskey Certified program for authenticated whiskeys.
• Larrikin Bourbon Co. appoints Barbara McDonald as Assistant Distiller.
• Diageo pauses Lebanon distillery production for productivity goals.
• Tequila regulator sues Additive Free Alliance for misleading consumers.
• Remus Bourbon launches Master Distiller Experimental Series, 107 proof, $79.99.
• 15 STARS releases Three Ports Fine-Aged Bourbon, 103 proof, $179.
• Chattanooga Whiskey Batch 043: Pre Prohibition Style, 110 proof, $69.99.
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