It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 6th 2026. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.

Show Notes:

• Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partner to debut home plate speakeasy and stadium club
• Give 270 announces 20/20 Unicorn raffle featuring 1988 vintage Old Rip Van Winkle
• Hotel Distil launches Peerless Distilling Suite featuring historical artifacts and immersive tastings
• Pursuit Spirits debuts Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon finished in Japanese cherry wood
• Burnt Church Distillery celebrates fifth anniversary with 100% Seashore Black Rye Whiskey
• Bulleit releases Mesquite Smoked Malt Bourbon as its first permanent rye-free expression
• Barrell Craft Spirits adds 12-Year Toasted American Oak Finish to premium Red Label Series
• Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils 2026 Rosewater Bourbon proofed with house-brewed botanical water
• Heaven Hill launches Deatsville 13-Year-Old as first entry in commemorative site tribute series
• Heaven Hill Heritage Collection returns with 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon at barrel proof
• Jack Daniel’s and McLaren F1 debut 86-proof limited edition for 1000th Grand Prix milestone
• Log Still Distillery and Archdiocese of Louisville release second annual Bishop’s Blend

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for February 27th 2026. The USDA has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) over $1.07 million to promote American spirits, Pursuit Spirits has released The Alpha Barrel, and Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition.

Show Notes:

• Hotaling & Co. shuttering Pier 50 distillery to focus on brand building and importing
• Former HR VP files whistleblower lawsuit against Bardstown Bourbon Company alleging corporate misconduct
• American Whiskey Association President addresses industry “normalization” and global growth potential
• Iowa House committee approves bill to end state’s monopoly on liquor distribution
• Mississippi facing severe alcohol shortages due to state-run warehouse technical failures
• North Carolina SBI investigating nonprofit “Greater Carolina” over alleged improper distillery lobbying
• President Trump invokes Section 122 of Trade Act to impose global 15% import surcharge
• USDA awards DISCUS $1.07 million to promote American spirits in global markets
• Pursuit Spirits announces “The Alpha Barrel” as its first barrel-proof single-barrel expression
• Limestone Branch Distillery launches “The Branch” members-only whiskey society
• Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey officially launches 95.6 proof six-year expression
• Bourbon & Beyond announces record-breaking artist lineup for September 2026 festival
• Heaven Hill debuts Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition
• Kentucky Distillers’ Association launches interactive “Build Your Own Bourbon Trail” trip builder
• Michter’s shipping highly anticipated 2026 release of its 10 Year Bourbon this March

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for February 20th 2026. E. & J. Gallo announced its plans to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered receivership, and Michter’s Releases their Celebration at $6,000 a bottle.

Show Notes:

• E. & J. Gallo expands its spirits portfolio with a $775 million acquisition of Four Roses Distillery from Kirin
• A U.S. District Judge ruled that Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered receivership through March amid insolvency allegations
• Frey Ranch Distillery debuts “Harvest the Savings,” a new farm-to-glass subscription program offering up to 15% off and free shipping
• A Texas judge blocked the immediate liquidation of Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl, opting for a structured Chapter 11 wind-down
• A new Kentucky bill proposes a 4% regulatory fee on alcohol sales, shifting the tax burden from producers to consumers
• Unicorn Auctions’ 2025 report reveals a democratized secondary market where 80% of bottles now sell for under $250
• Green River launches a 109.3-proof wheated bourbon at a $50 price point across 25 markets this February
• Black Diamond Distillery introduces a $25 wheated bourbon “Mineshaft” expression designed specifically for cocktails
• Maker’s Mark partners with artist Ashley Longshore on a limited-edition label benefiting women’s leadership through Vital Voices
• Yellowstone Bourbon celebrates America’s semiquincentennial with 250 limited-edition Bottled-in-Bond single barrels
• Michter’s prepares to ship the rare 2025 Edition of its Celebration Sour Mash, limited to just 315 bottles globally
• Buffalo Trace and Chris Stapleton evolve their partnership with the nationwide release of Traveller Whiskey Full Proof at 121 proof
• Rebel Bourbon joins forces with NASCAR champion Kyle Busch for a limited 108-proof single barrel release
• Penelope Bourbon upgrades its core Barrel Strength expression to a 7-year age statement for a limited 13,000-case release
• Southern Distilling Company releases a Statesville-exclusive Southern Star Paragon Bourbon finished in Zinfandel wine casks

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for February 6th 2026. The court-appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest, presents a grim financial outlook for the whiskey brand, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops, and Brown Forman is releasing King of Kentucky Small Batch.

Show Notes:

• Uncle Nearest faces insolvency with $164M debt and revenue shortfall
• ABC Fine Wine & Spirits enters Colorado with Applejack acquisition
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail expands to record 68 stops statewide
• Barrell Craft Spirits consolidates blending operations to original Gilmore facility
• Supreme Court weighs legality of out-of-state alcohol shipping bans
• Kentucky Bourbon industry economic impact surges to $10.6 billion
• Jim Beam taps Kenan Thompson for 2026 “Refresh Your Season” campaign
• Yellowstone Bourbon partners with Vital Ground Foundation for grizzly conservation
• King of Kentucky announces 250th Anniversary Small Batch three-part series
• Shortbarrel launches Four Grain Straight Bourbon flagship for nationwide distribution
• Buzzard’s Roost unveils 5-year-old Four Grain Double Oak Bourbon
• Chattanooga Whiskey debuts Irish-style Batch 047: Single Pot Still

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for January 30th 2026. Sotheby’s has set a record for the most valuable bourbon ever sold at auction, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction has announced a historic collaborative lot titled “United We Stand”, and Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have reclaimed and are relaunching their Belle Meade whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Bardstown Bourbon Company unveils packaging redesign for core portfolio and new wheated single barrel option
• Uncle Nearest founders file emergency motion to end receivership amid plummeting sales and market value
• Sotheby’s sets $2.5M record for most valuable American whiskey collection ever sold at auction
• Off Hours Bourbon named “Official Partner of the Detroit Pistons” in multi-year sports collaboration
• Pursuit Spirits and partners announce “United We Stand” collaborative barrel auction for veteran charity
• Old Forester’s 156-year legacy celebrated in new “Whiskeyland” documentary by the Balas Brothers
• Maker’s Mark Cask Strength receives premium bottle redesign and debut age statement
• Garrison Brothers to release first-ever Bottled in Bond Texas Bourbon on Texas Independence Day
• Nelson brothers reclaim Belle Meade brand for independent regional relaunch in Tennessee

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for January 23rd 2026. Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl have moved into a Chapter 7 liquidation, Casey Jones Distillery has been acquired B3 Beverage Company, and Penelope Bourbon is doing a collaboration with Serena & Lily.

Show Notes:

• Few Spirits founder Paul Hletko officially departs distillery
• Meta restricts alcohol business pages on Facebook, slashing organic reach
• Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl move to Chapter 7 liquidation
• Court orders $34.5M sale of newly completed Luca Mariano Distillery
• Casey Jones Distillery joins B3 Beverage Company portfolio
• Kirin Holdings reportedly exploring $1B sale of Four Roses Bourbon
• New Riff Distilling announces return of award-winning Balboa Rye
• Penelope Bourbon and Serena & Lily debut Charleston-inspired “Beaufain” collaboration
• Knob Creek launches limited Eli Manning’s Bold Pick 2026 Cask Strength Bourbon

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for January 9th 2026. Meat Church BBQ Makes an Investment in Pursuit Spirits, The Weavers of Uncle Nearest File a Civil Suit against their former CFO, and Watch Hill Whiskey Company unveils two new limited releases.

Show Notes:

• Meat Church BBQ acquires minority stake in Pursuit Spirits to fuel distribution and innovation
• Uncle Nearest co-founders file 223-page fraud lawsuit against former CFO Michael Senzaki
• Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction unveils rare Elijah Craig and Four Roses “12 Lots” benefiting veterans
• Ohio-based A.M. Scott Distillery files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with $3.35 million in debt
• Bardstown Bourbon Company earns second consecutive EPA ENERGY STAR certification for energy efficiency
• Whiskey House of Kentucky achieves major ISO certifications for quality, safety, and environmental excellence
• The Whiskey Social App launches new Clubs feature to enhance community bottle tracking and discovery
• Sotheby’s announces first live single-owner American whiskey auction estimated at $1.17M–$1.68M
• Give 270 surpasses $2 million in donations and launches Weller “Rainbow” vertical charity raffle
• Watch Hill Whiskey Company debuts 18-year Exceptional Series Batch 03 and Chef Series Rye
• New Riff Distilling expands single barrel program to include 6-year-old 100% Malted Rye

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for December 26th 2025. Jim Beam halts production at its Clermont Facility, the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition has signed another petition for trump to remove retaliatory tariffs, and new Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition release.

Show Notes:

• Jim Beam pauses Clermont distillation for 2026, shifting production to Boston, KY plant
• Toasts Not Tariffs coalition petitions President Trump to eliminate retaliatory spirits taxes
• Lux Row Distillers launches “One Lux Row” subscription service for rare bottle releases
• John Cena reveals The Undertaker’s “hard” locker room tradition of gargling bourbon
• World Whiskey Society debuts 70-proof Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition flavored whiskey

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for December 19th 2025. Cannabinoid regulation is underway, a trial using a robotic dog with an ethanol sensing system is launched, and Wilderness Trail Distillery has announced the limited-edition release of a 10-Year Wheated Bourbon.

Show Notes:

• The Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) establishes a strict federal framework for hemp-derived products
• President Trump reportedly planning executive order to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III status
• Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver issues apology following “dismissive” out-of-context video encounter
• Benson Valley Bourbon joins Kentucky Distillers’ Association as newest craft level member
• Bourbon on the Banks Festival awards over $100,000 to local nonprofits from 2025 proceeds
• Bacardi trials autonomous “Royal Bark-la” robot dog to detect Scotch warehouse leaks
• Garrison Brothers announces December 6 release of 2025 Cowboy Bourbon at $249.99
• Four Roses launches 375ml Small Batch and Small Batch Select bottles nationwide
• Wilderness Trail debuts limited 10-Year Wheated Bourbon for Wilderness Road 250th anniversary
• Heaven Hill announces Fall 2025 Old Fitzgerald 11-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond decanter release

(more…)

It’s This Week in Bourbon for December 12th 2025. WhistlePig Distillery has opened The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Garrison Brothers Distillery has released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel bourbon, and The Old Forester 117 Series is releasing their Prohibition Era Still Proof.

Show Notes:

• WhistlePig opened “The Vault” in Louisville—an immersive experience in a bank featuring a blending room and unique cocktail service via ATM tube
• Maker’s Mark became the first Official Spirits Partner of the Unrivaled women’s basketball league, their first-ever sports league sponsorship
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #16, a Tennessee Rye, was released after finishing in Southern table syrup barrels (exclusive to Tennessee)
• Garrison Brothers released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel to celebrate the San Antonio Spurs’ City Edition uniforms return
• Old Hickory launched two new age-stated whiskies: a 12-year Straight Rye BiB and a 15-year Barrel Proof Whiskey
• Ole Smoky Distillery expanded nationwide into the premium straight whiskey category with a four-year-old Tennessee Straight Bourbon
• Old Forester 117 Series released the Prohibition Era Still Proof at 130 proof, marking Repeal Day with a historic strength
• Cathead Distillery introduced Tintype #3 ‘Kenny Brown,’ an 11-year, high-rye, uncut & unfiltered Old Soul Bourbon

(more…)