It’s This Week in Bourbon for September 11th 2026. The KY ABC is going to be auctioning off rare bottles of confiscated bourbon, The New Era Whiskey Distillery and Social Club has opened in Lexington KY, and Heaven Hill announces 20th Edition Parker’s Heritage Collection.

Show Notes:

• A Thanksgiving raffle win turns into an intense family debate when a collector snags a $100 Pappy Van Winkle instead of her brother-in-law.
• Team Kentucky opens virtual bidding on 70 seized collectible bottles to support campus alcohol responsibility programs.
• Downtown Lexington welcomes its first combination distillery, tasting room, and private social club founded by Zane Brammell.
• Elijah Craig and Evan Williams secure official bourbon partnerships and naming rights across UK Athletics venues.
• Silverbelly Whiskey announces a new flagship craft distillery, museum, and venue coming to Nashville.
• Brown-Forman resurrects the “Kentucky Boy” label to celebrate Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris’s 50-year legacy.
• New limited fall releases debut from Woodford Reserve, Remus, Penelope, Four Roses, Proof and Wood, Chicken Cock, and Heaven Hill.
• Bourbon with Heart partners with Give 270 to raffle custom hand-painted barrel heads paired with Elijah Craig 21-Year Single Barrel.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for September 4th 2026. Kentucky Bourbon Boys has officially launched KBB Reserve, the American Whiskey Scholars program, and Starlight has 2 brand new releases.

Show Notes:

• Kentucky Bourbon Boys launches KBB Reserve three-tier travel concierge service
• American Whiskey Scholars debuts three-level self-paced online certification program
• Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour returns with four-city complimentary roadshow
• BBQ, Bourbon & Burlesque event set for October 24 in Evansville, Indiana
• Old Forester unveils 2026 Birthday Bourbon and Alpha Industries jacket collab
• Oak & Grist Distilling debuts nine-year American Single Malt Whiskey Barrel #09
• Shortbarrel launches fifth-year limited-edition Cigar Batch #4 with Sherry finish
• Sagamore Spirit debuts nationwide eight-year Bottled in Bond Straight Rye
• Baker’s Bourbon returns 13-year Single Barrel release for Baker Beam’s 90th birthday
• Chattanooga Whiskey introduces Bottled in Bond Vintage: Fall 2018 four-grain bourbon
• Town Branch Distillery debuts IMPERIUM MMXXVI cask-strength wheated bourbon blend
• Starlight Distillery announces 5th Annual Pink Bottle Release for breast cancer support
• Starlight Distillery launches rare 10-Year Mizunara Reserve via lottery and distillery sale

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for August 28th 2026. Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada have officially broken down, Humble Baron from Uncle Nearest is facing a change from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 liquidation, and Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils its new Australia Series.

Show Notes:

• Brown family members clash over falling profits and cratering stock price at Brown-Forman
• Sazerac acquires Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, Kentucky
• Humble Baron bankruptcy shifts toward total liquidation as judge delays final judgment
• Trade negotiations collapse as 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian alcohol goes into effect
• Legal analysis highlights growing AI compliance risks under federal and state alcohol ad laws
• Uncle Boojie’s research links F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby to Louisville bourbon history
• Angel’s Envy unveils Distillery Series finished in Stout and Amburana barrels
• Belle of Louisville and Brough Brothers partner on commemorative bourbon expressions
• Larrikin Bourbon Co. debuts Australia Series with exotic wood finishes at Kentucky Bourbon Festival
• Redwood Empire Whiskey launches inaugural limited-edition series with The Hyperion Batch 001
• Jack Daniel’s releases American Single Malt Whiskey nationwide across the U.S.
• B.R. Distilling Company launches Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask finished in wild-cherry barrels
• Four Roses Distillery unveils Experimental Series No. 002 Honey Cask Finish
• Actor Chris Hemsworth joins Archie Rose Distilling Co. as co-owner ahead of U.S. launch
• Dueling Grounds Distillery celebrates 10-year anniversary with Bourbon Harvest Picnic 2026

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for August 21st 2026. Heaven Hill is joining the fun on E!’s upcoming mixology competition series, Cocktail Wars, Bardstown Bourbon Company has two new releases, and Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026.

Show Notes:

• Heaven Hill partners with E!’s Cocktail Wars competition series featuring Deep Eddy and PAMA
• Give 270 launches Bourbon Raffles Serial No. 013 benefiting the Hanger Foundation
• St. Louis Bourbon Society announces 2026 St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival for October 9
• Bardstown Bourbon Company reveals 2026 releases: Lochs of Jura Finish and 2026 Discovery
• Redemption Whiskey introduces Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon and returns 18-Year-Old Ancients expression
• Stranahan’s debuts historic 11-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whiskey
• Branch & Barrel Distilling launches first-ever corn-forward Straight Rye Whiskey in Colorado
• New Riff Distilling brings back award-winning Sherry Finish Malted Rye at barrel proof
• Koopers Whiskey releases limited 8-Year Texas Oak Bourbon finished in local toasted barrels
• Maker’s Mark announces Cellar Aged 2026 release blending 11-, 12-, and 14-year bourbons

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for August 14th 2026. The Bourbon and Beyond line up with set times has been announced, US Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the decision on Bad Spaniels, and Chattanooga Whiskey has announced Chattanooga Whiskey Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished.

Show Notes:

• Festival details and culinary lineup revealed for 8th annual Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville
• 9th Circuit Court rules for VIP Products, overturning Jack Daniel’s dog toy sales ban
• California craft distillers face deadline as direct-to-consumer delivery rights near expiration
• Next Century Spirits acquires Chicken Cock Whiskey and Grain & Barrel Spirits portfolio
• Brown-Forman partners with E! network for new “Cocktail Wars” competition series
• Indianapolis-based Circle City Whiskey Co. celebrates major growth as an independent bottler
• Copper & Kings expands reach with new direct-to-consumer online shipping program
• Hard Truth Distilling announces Master Distiller’s Reserve Dark Roast Rye for fall release
• Garrison Brothers reveals 2026 Cowboy Bourbon at 141 proof for September release
• Chattanooga Whiskey launches Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished bourbon

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for August 7th 2026. Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR, Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Selection #17 High Angel’s Share Straight Tennessee Whiskey, and Uncle Nearest now has a proposed court date.

Show Notes:

• Uncle Nearest legal dispute moves forward as parties propose an October 2027 trial date.
• MGP Ingredients reports a 59% drop in bulk whiskey sales despite growth in premium brands.
• Chevalier Casks launches an online exchange for trading barrels, bulk spirits, and cooperage.
• Author D.T. Poole releases The Men Who Made American Bourbon to explore the real history of six pioneers.
• Overholt debuts its 11-year-old Extra Aged Cask Strength American Rye 2026 Edition.
• Middle West Spirits launches the Old Elk 10-Year Collection following its brand acquisition.
• Historic whiskey brand H. Obernauer & Co. revives in Pittsburgh after 110 years.
• Jack Daniel’s unveils its 10-year, 138.4-proof High Angel’s Share Tennessee Whiskey.
• Wyoming Whiskey releases State of the Union, a limited 6-year-old straight bourbon.
• Dancing Goat Distillery launches Stillman’s Sonder with new bourbon and single malt releases.
• Jefferson’s Bourbon debuts an ultra-rare 20-Year-Old Founder’s Reserve finished in Bordeaux casks.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for July 31st 2026. 24th class of inductees into the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame have been announced, More tariff wars resume, and Bardstown Bourbon Company is launching Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Kentucky Distillers’ Association announces 24th Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame class
• Apogee 21 acquires Luca Mariano Distillery and Rod & Hammer’s
• President Trump levies 50% tariffs on select Canadian imports
• Uncle Nearest receiver files major counterclaim alleging lender oversight and fraud
• Starlight Distillery celebrates 25th anniversary with limited-edition releases
• Bourbon Women SIPosium returns to Louisville for 15th anniversary event
• Alabama Cooperage to close Trinity plant by September 2026
• US removes 10% tariff on Scotch whisky imports
• Moonshine University to cease operations at the end of 2026
• RNDC files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winds down operations
• James B. Beam Distilling Company announces 2026 Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-In-Bond
• Goose Island unveils 2026 Bourbon County Brand Family stout lineup
• New Riff Distilling brings back annual Headliner release for 3rd year
• B.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky bourbon
• Heaven Hill Distillery debuts Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 9-year bourbon
• Maker’s Mark launches travel retail exclusive Artist Series – City Edition
• Brother’s Bond Bourbon launches 7-year bottled-in-bond straight bourbon
• Garrison Brothers Distillery announces 1st-ever pre-sale for Hye Rye Bourbon
• Bardstown Bourbon Company debuts Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey
• Old Forester debuts The 117 Series Triple Char Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• St. Louis Bourbon Festival returns to Lemp Mansion on October 16, 2026
• Bib and Tucker introduces 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Tennessee Bourbon
• Still Austin Whiskey Company opening massive 15,000-sq-ft venue in Austin
• Jefferson’s Bourbon debuts ultra-limited Founder’s Reserve 20-Year-Old

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for July 10th 2026. Fawn Weaver and Keith Weaver have been terminated from Uncle Nearest, a new investigation into Canada’s ongoing boycott of American alcohol, and Barton now has their 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Court-appointed receiver terminates Fawn and Keith Weaver from Uncle Nearest, Inc. amidst Humble Baron’s collapse
• Jack Daniel Distillery partners with USO for national “United We Toast” campaign honoring the Armed Forces
• WhistlePig Whiskey sells Moriah Business Park auxiliary facility for over $17,000,000 to Zags 26
• Wyoming Whiskey returns to local ownership as WW Partners, LLC acquires an 80% stake from Edrington
• Congresswoman Claudia Tenney introduces the “Canada Act” to investigate Canada’s ongoing boycott of American alcohol
• Country Boy Brewing expands into spirits production with Country Boy Distilling launching this autumn
• Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery fights Washington’s direct-to-consumer shipping restrictions in federal appeals court
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail expands to 74 total stops by welcoming four new distilleries to the trail
• Buffalo Trace Distillery debuts “Camp Buffalo Trace” immersive overnight adult summer camp experience
• Knob Creek introduces limited-edition 9-Year-Old Independence Edition with a blue wax seal for America’s 250th
• Redwood Empire Whiskey officially releases Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a premium four-grain blend
• Woodinville Whiskey Company launches national rollout of premium Single Barrel Bourbon and 100% Rye program
• Sagamore Whiskey announces nationwide launch of its 108-proof High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Brush Creek Distillery expands 2026 Heroes Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey release to three barrels
• Buffalo Trace Distillery unveils the third limited-edition release of its historic medicinal Prohibition Collection
• B.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky Bourbons at 76 proof
• Jackson Purchase Distillery debuts its first house-branded Bottled in Bond and Select Bourbons
• Barton 1792 Distillery introduces permanent Straight Rye expression alongside ultra-aged 1792 XV Bourbon
• Garrison Brothers Distillery announces the return of Laguna Madre alongside a new Cask Strength companion bottle

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for June 19th 2026. Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon, the debut of SHANG from the whiskey house, and Lost Lantern has announced the launch the United States of Bourbon collection.

Show Notes:

• Spec’s Family Corp. acquires Lee’s Discount Liquor in first move outside Texas
• Give 270 launches restored 1989 Ford Bronco raffle for Kentucky Jailers Association
• Liberty Pole Spirits and MB Roland team up for America’s 250th anniversary blend
• Green River Distilling Company debuts 8-Year Toasted Double Oak Bourbon
• Coors launches exclusive 110.5-proof Blended American Malt Whiskey in expansion into premium spirits
• Whiskey House of Kentucky and global partners debut innovative SHĀNG baijiu whiskey line
• Town Branch Distillery releases groundbreaking Bourbonola Tropical Style banana seltzer
• Industry veteran Jason Wooler makes comeback with launch of Wooler Brands whiskey
• Lost Lantern launches United States of Bourbon featuring first-ever 50-state blend
• Belmark and ADI Distilling partner for distillery packaging and revenue webinar

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for June 12th 2026. $500,000 of Noble Oak bourbon has been stolen in a truck heist, An organized crime ring targeting high-end whiskey collectors has been solved from the Madisonville Police Department, and Booker’s “The Milkshake Batch” Bourbon gets released.

Show Notes:

• Philadelphia Police and FBI Investigate $500,000 Noble Oak Bourbon Heist
• Lawrenceburg Historic Homes to Host Exclusive Screening and Guided Tours This July
• Madisonville Police Disrupt FB Group Whiskey Scam Defrauding Buyers of $86K
• Whiskey House of Kentucky Lays Off 30% of Staff Amid Industry Slowdown
• Give 270 Announces Next 20/20 Unicorn Raffle Featuring Rare Brown-Forman 150th Anniversary Bottle
• Orphan Barrel Unveils 25-Year Night Sage Blended Canadian Whisky
• Allies for Cherry Point Partners with Bespoken Spirits for Final Flight Reserve Harrier Tribute
• Thirty-One Lengths Launches $1,500 Ultra-Premium Bourbon Honoring Secretariat’s Legendary Victory
• Adventure Spirits Distilling Partners with Toledo Mud Hens for Stadium Craft Cocktails
• Hard Truth Distilling Co. Welcomes Back Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye at 113 Entry Proof
• Penelope Flips Strategy to Debut New Classic Everyday Bourbon and Rye Series
• Old Fourth Distillery Teams Up with Dragon Con for 2nd Annual Landmark Anniversary Bourbon
• James B. Beam Distilling Company Rolls Out Booker’s “The Milkshake Batch” Bourbon

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