Bourbon Pursuit

It's This Week in Bourbon for November 13th, 2026. Andy and Charlie Nelson have repurchased full ownership of Nashville's Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, Stoli is returning to the US, and Knob Creek Trailmaster Edition.

Show Notes:Andy and Charlie Nelson repurchase full ownership of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery from Constellation BrandsSazerac Distillers proposes $605.9 million investment across four Kentucky facilitiesThe Private Rickhouse prepares to open in Dallas’s Deep Ellum neighborhood on November 20Green River launches Bullsh!t Refund offering $20 rebates on overpriced live-event expensesBreckenridge Distillery introduces quarterly 2 Mile High Whiskey Club membershipStoli Group resumes US distribution through MHW fo...

26 years in the military, 14 years of that serving in elite Delta Force units, and now the CEO of Lofted Spirits, the umbrella brand of of Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling. Mark Erwin joined the board at Bardstown Bourbon Co. in 2019 eventually stepping up as CEO. We talk about how the private equity deal with Prtizker made more strategic sense than selling out to a major spirits conglomerate, the acquisition of Green River. and how they support craft brands from custom mash bills all the way to bottling. Plus, in a market facing shifting demand, inventory corrections, and industry...

Penelope The Classic brings a new everyday bourbon at 92 proof and just $45. Caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, and a surprising grape candy note give this approachable pour a little something extra. Is this new classic worth adding to your shelf?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for November 6th, 2026. Republic National Distributing Company, is pressing forward with its Chapter 11, 2026 Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report has been released, and John Wick Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes:Industry publishing legend Marvin R. Shanken dies at 83Republic National Distributing Company advances Chapter 11 liquidation planKEG 1 Kentucky completes acquisition of RNDC’s statewide operationsWhiskey House of Kentucky launches interactive Customer Portal 2.0ACSA report shows 68% of Americans favor expanding DtC spirits shippingTown Branch debuts 17-Year Archive Series Kentucky Single MaltFour Roses introduces Experimental Series No. 003 finished in chestnut woodBarrel Global unveils officially licensed John Wick Ke...

That's the infamous sound you hear when Johnny Drinks is making a cocktail on your screen. John Rondi—better known to millions across the internet as Johnny Drinks— let his son film him making a cocktail at home, and it overnight exploded into millions of views?This single viral video back in 2020 completely transformed his life, that led him to walk away from corporate finance in 2021 to doing content full-time with his son. We talk about the iconic glass "clank" and camera setups to how they transitioned into cooking and hosting tips. We even talk about what it's like navigating fath...

Heaven Hill Double Mash combines traditional and wheated bourbon mash bills in a 9-year, 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond release. Bright raspberry, citrus, and brown sugar sweet tea bring an unexpected twist to this $50 bourbon. Does double mash mean double the character?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for October 30th, 2026. Fawn Weaver’s attempt to halt the sale has been denied, Tennessee Whiskey Trail is launching Fireside Tennessee, and Heaven Hill Phoenix.

Show Notes:Judge denies Fawn Weaver's bid to pause Uncle Nearest asset sale amidst receivershipTennessee Whiskey Trail launches seasonal Fireside Tennessee experience across eight distilleriesKentucky Distillers' Association honors Brown-Forman's Chris Morris with Lifetime Board designation and UK scholarshipHeaven Hill unveils Phoenix 18-Year Bourbon featuring pre-1996 fire whiskey to mark 30th anniversaryBarton 1792 Distillery announces new 1792 Wheated Full Proof Bourbon at 125 proof

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So what happens when a retail guy from D.C. decides he’s going to jump into the whiskey business? We're sitting down with Sid Dilawri, Founder and CEO of Filibuster Distilling, to talk about his journey. After moving from Delhi to the U.S. in 2007, Sid got his start working at a local liquor store where he discovered orange flavored vodka. He wasn't much of a drinker at the time. But In 2010, his family bought a struggling D.C. liquor store and Sid helped turn it around growing annual sales from under $400K to over $1.2 million simply by changing up...

Jefferson’s Founder’s Reserve brings a 20 year Kentucky bourbon finished in French Bordeaux wine casks. With only 250 bottles available, this rare release delivers old oak, dried cranberries, leather, and tobacco. But does it live up to its $500 price tag?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for October 23rd, 2026. As Uncle Nearest Comes to an End, Fawn is still appealing, Bourbon and Board Games Are hot this week, and Old Elk Distillery Folds of Honor Blended American Whiskey.

Show Notes:Judge sets accelerated briefing schedule on Uncle Nearest asset sale appealBib & Tucker collaborates with Hasbro to launch MONOPOLY collector's editionOld Fitzgerald and Jonathan Adler partner on luxury backgammon gift setBulleit and Mike’s Hot Honey announce 15-city nationwide mobile bar tourMGP Ingredients rebrands corporate identity as Sempreon with CASK tickerKnob Creek brings back 21 Year Old Bourbon at 100 proof for $249.99Ne...

Van Winkle announced the 2026 collection on September 11 with price increases. This lands in a year of a 16-million-barrel glut, craft sales down a third straight year, a distributor in liquidation, and a softening mid-tier secondary. Back on BCR #42 in 2020 this panel specifically praised Sazerac for not pricing Pappy at what the market would bear. Six years later they moved the number up in a down market. Was the restraint we praised always temporary? Look at October’s release calendar. Woodford’s 30th anniversary bundle is distillery-only at $225. New Riff’s six-year wheated went to whiskey club members with distillery pickup only...

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2026 brings 14 to 23 year barrels together for a rich, balanced pour. Toasted vanilla, leather, cinnamon rolls, gooey frosting, and that classic sweet oak finish made this one stand out.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for October 16th, 2026. Ummmm; Wes Henderson, Uncle Nearest Inc. is nearing a potential asset sale, and Pursuit Releases XS Double Oak.

Show Notes:Glenns Creek Distillery fire destroys historic vacant structures without loss of spiritsFederal probe examines hidden cameras seized from former Angel’s Envy founder Wes HendersonReceivership sale of Uncle Nearest assets nears Chapter 11 filing amid federal probesACSA economic study shows U.S. craft spirits volume declined 8% in 2025Performance fuel maker VP Racing acquires Alamo Distilling in contract expansionJetBlue adds 50ml bottles of Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon to onboard flightsFourth annual Nati...

Some stories are as old as time. A few friends get together, pick a few barrels, then all of a sudden it turns into full blown business. It kind of sounds familiar but I'm not talking about Pursuit, I'm talking about Shortbarrel. In this episode Clinton Dugan and Manny, co-founders at Shortbarrel talk about starting their company after selecting hundreds of barrels across the country. Clinton leveraged his marketing background and self-taught blending skills to focus on the consumer market rather than personal ego. They talk about how warehouse microclimates, high heat, and Kelvin Cooperage barrels shape core lineups like...

Parker’s Heritage 2026 brings a 14 year barrel proof bourbon with a rye backset twist. Cherry limeade, brownie batter, fudge, and rich Heaven Hill oak make this one feel like a return to form.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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How many times have you reached for a bottle on the shelf simply because the glass looked incredible or the label caught your eye? At Pursuit Spirits, we talk endlessly about what goes inside the barrel, but the multi-million dollar engineering and design process that gets that liquid onto the shelf is an entire science of its own. Today, we’re sitting down with Andrés Hernandez of Fusion Glass Mexico and Chad Michael of Chad Michael Studio to talk about custom bottles from engineering, designed, and evenutally going to market. Andrés has the factor that specializes in 100% PCR (post...

Bardstown Discovery 2026 brings a new name, new bottle, and a Garryana oak double-barrel finish. Rich oak, brown butter pastry, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking spice give this release a warm fall-inspired profile.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for October 2nd, 2026. Scotland is experiencing a whiskey glut, Brown Forman announced the 2026 King of Kentucky, and Lost Lantern is preparing to launch its highly anticipated Fall 2026 George Dickel Collection.

Show Notes:Bourbon Mixer reaches $1 million raised for Coalition for the HomelessScottish distilleries pause production amid massive Scotch supply surplusUS enforces import ban on Canadian alcohol as trade tensions escalateCopper & Kings relaunches interactive Bottle Your Own distillery experienceBrown-Forman announces 2026 release of 14-year King of Kentucky Single BarrelLost Lantern prepares Fall 2026 launch of rare George Dickel Collection

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The first time we had our guest on the show, we barely scratched the surface of what she has going on with the industry. It was more of a moment to remember her dad, Richard Wolf, and his impact on the industry. But now Monica is back and with a new last name of Wolf-Brown. We talk about some personal milestones before diving into how she built The Blending House in Shelby County. Monica about the state-of-the-art facility featuring a massive blending floor, seven custom rickhouses, and complete turnkey logistics for growing brands. Monica shares her take on how American...

New Riff’s 2026 Kentucky Single Malt takes a sharp turn from bourbon with smoky, peaty, Scotch-like notes, charcoal, chocolate sweetness, and a finish that may speak more to malt fans than bourbon drinkers.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for September 25th, 2026. The Brown Hotel is holiday cocktail competition titled "Top of the List", Eastern Light Distilling is moving forward with building a $60M distillery, and the release of Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength.

Show Notes:The Brown Hotel hosts "Top of the List" holiday cocktail competition benefiting Toys for TotsEastern Light Distilling secures $23.1M investment to build $60M contract facility in MoreheadWillett Distillery unveils Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength wheated bourbonB.R. Distilling Co. expands allocation for Blue Note Honey Bourbon and Rye Cask releases

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What happens when the biggest distilling powerhouse behind the scenes decides to step into the spotlight and release whiskey under its own name? On this edition of the Bourbon Community Roundtable, the crew kicks things off by celebrating a massive milestone—our very own Fred Minnick being inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. After raising a glass to the iconic ceremony, national coverage, and the community that made it happen, the panel dives headfirst into one of the most controversial moves in the spirits industry today: MGP dropping its flagship Chapter One 10-year, 111-proof straight bourbon. We debate wh...

Garrison Brothers Lady Bird Cask Strength Single Barrel layers Texas bourbon with wildflower honey and cognac cask finishing. Orange blossom honey, grape, warm spice, and cinnamon candy give this pour a big, sweet, and unexpected ride.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for September 18th 2026. Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits will pay a 12.5M penalty, More tariffs and bans of canadian liquor into the US, and Booker’s Bourbon The Reserves 2026 and Little Book The Infinite, Edition III.

Show Notes:Kentucky Bourbon Festival announces dates for 2027 event in BardstownEvan Williams expands college football presence with tailgates and collegiate bottlesBluegrass Distillers launches quarterly Bottle Club membership programSouthern Glazer's pays $12.5M penalty to resolve federal trade practice investigationPresident Trump announces plans to remove 10% tariff on Irish whiskeyCrown Royal avoids Canadian spirit import ban via bulk shipping stra...

We're back with Part 2 of our PursuitPalooza 2026 AMA session. We kick off by tackling the business realities of the RTD boom because we keep punting the idea if we should do one ourselves, and exploring why entering the canned cocktail market is a completely different beast than aging bourbon in a barrel. We talk about some the weirdest tasting notes we've ever pulled like peanut butter and jelly, peach rings, and Grandma's candy jar. Finally, we get personal about what it really takes to run an independent spirits company. We talk about managing operational pressure, our core philosophy of "no...

Frank August Case Study 07 takes a Kentucky bourbon and rye blend and finishes it in Calvados, Martinique rum, and Caribbean rum casks. Apple pie, brown sugar, pear, coconut, pineapple, and rye spice make this one a seriously fun tropical twist.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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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...

Today, we are bringing you part 1 of 2 for our Pursuit Palooza 2026 AMA session recorded live with myself and Ryan Cecil. We take a look back at how Palooza originally grew out of having way more whiskey and industry guests than we could ever fit on the podcast and why we decided to start having Palooza. From there, take questions from our fans in the audience about transparency in labeling, dissecting "bottled by" statements, straight bourbon requirements, and whether the average consumer actually cares about production details versus price, story, and flavor. Plus, we address the big question on everyone's mind...

Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 brings big ice cream shop vibes with cherry cordial, vanilla custard, waffle cone, and a gooey cherry syrup finish. This wheat whiskey had us seriously impressed.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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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 serviceAmerican Whiskey Scholars debuts three-level self-paced online certification programBuffalo Trace Distillery On Tour returns with four-city complimentary roadshowBBQ, Bourbon & Burlesque event set for October 24 in Evansville, IndianaOld Forester unveils 2026 Birthday Bourbon and Alpha Industries jacket collabOak & Grist Distilling debuts nine-year American Single Malt Whiskey Barrel #09Shortbarrel launches fifth-year limited-edition Cigar Batch #4 with Sherry finishSagamore Spirit debuts nationwide eight-year Bottled in...

There's a time when whiskey enthusiasm takes it to the next level. I've lived through it. I was a stone cold hobbyist, and I still am, but then I started a podcast and now Ryan and I have Pursuit Spirits. We don't know how to stop taking a hobby too far. And our guest today is no different. Mike Hinds is co-founder of Nashville Barrel Company, Mike takes us back five or six years to NBC's humble beginnings, starting with local charity picks for cancer research, hunting down Jack Daniel’s, Weller 12, and Willett single barrels, and making frequent runs to...

Penelope Riviera blends 8 year American light whiskey with straight bourbon, then finishes it in rosé wine casks for a lighter, sweeter pour. With buttered popcorn, brown sugar, soft berry notes, and an easy 94 proof profile, this one feels built for warm-weather sipping.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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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-FormanSazerac acquires Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, KentuckyHumble Baron bankruptcy shifts toward total liquidation as judge delays final judgmentTrade negotiations collapse as 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian alcohol goes into effectLegal analysis highlights growing AI compliance risks under federal and...

Is the classic "unicorn" whiskey officially dead, or is the market just finally giving us what we’ve been asking for? On this edition of the Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is breaking down how 2026 is shaping up in the world of whiskey releases. With older age statements hitting shelves, pricing pressure mounting, and an avalanche of finishes and experimental wood treatments coming from both heritage giants and craft newcomers, picking a clear bottle of the year is harder than ever. We dive into the heavy hitters and sleeper hits catching everyones attention, including the Blade & Bow 12-Year Solera, Parker’s He...

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass returns with its wheated “Year of Wheat” release. This 6 year, 107.8 proof bourbon brings sweet candy, maraschino cherry, cherry Pop-Tart, and creamy dessert vibes with a finish that kept us talking.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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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 PAMAGive 270 launches Bourbon Raffles Serial No. 013 benefiting the Hanger FoundationSt. Louis Bourbon Society announces 2026 St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival for October 9Bardstown Bourbon Company reveals 2026 releases: Lochs of Jura Finish and 2026 DiscoveryRedemption Whiskey introduces Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon and returns 18-Year-Old Ancients expressionStranahan's debuts historic 11-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Amer...

Single barrels have changed. It was once a time where it was a simple trip to a Kentucky warehouse but now it's morphed into a tech-driven, digital community experience. On this episode, we sit down with Michael Nagdi, co-founder of The Prime Barrel, and Garry—better known as "Mr. G"—chief taster and host of the Prime Barrel Chronicles. Michael shares his journey from retail into pivoting during the pandemic, taking his traditional retail setup into an online barrel club built on Discord, education, and exclusive access. But Prime Barrel isn't just picking regular old barrels—they’re leveraging tech like NFT...

Evan Williams celebrates America’s 250th with a blue wax, 117.76 proof single barrel that takes a surprisingly different turn. Cinnamon pastry, burnt kettle corn, herbal spice, and a funky finish make this one anything but ordinary.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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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 Louisville9th Circuit Court rules for VIP Products, overturning Jack Daniel’s dog toy sales banCalifornia craft distillers face deadline as direct-to-consumer delivery rights near expirationNext Century Spirits acquires Chicken Cock Whiskey and Grain & Barrel Spirits portfolioBrown-Forman partners with E! ne...

In this episode, we’re bringing you live, boots-on-the-ground coverage directly from the Pursuit Spirits booth at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. This action-packed compilation captures the energy, debates, and dynamic voices shaping modern whiskey culture. We kick off by tackling the push-and-pull between digital marketing, detailed tasting notes, and the essential trust built through live tastings. From there, we explore how fresh, diverse perspectives are breaking traditional industry molds, why balance and distillate quality beat arbitrary age statement numbers every time, and how tight-knit communities keep enthusiasts connected beyond the bottle. Plus, we throw down in a live de...