Bourbon Pursuit

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 24th 2026. Sazerac has formally offered $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest could be forced to shut down within 30 days, and Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the release of Eagle Rare 30.
Show Notes:
Jeptha Creed Distillery launches new visitor experiences and single-barrel programs to mark 10th anniversary

Sazerac launches $15 billion acquisition bid for rival Brown-Forman

Uncle Nearest faces potential shutdown and insolvency amid financial crisis and default

Diageo opens new $415 million automated manufacturing facility in Alabama

Buffalo Trace announces Eagle Rare 30, its oldest age-stated bourbon, for $12,500

Kentucky Senator Bourbon and PDJF partner for limited 140-bottle charity release

Jack Daniel Distillery debuts Special Release Small Batch Rye aged 10 years

Michter’s announces first-ever release of US*1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash in May

Hard Truth Distilling Co. unveils limited Mizunara Finished Wheated Bourbon

B.R. Distilling launches unfiltered Blue Note Small Batch Wheated Bourbon

Maker’s Mark releases 2026 edition of wheat-forward Star Hill Farm Whisky

Four Roses rolls out second rotation of its Single Barrel Collection nationwide

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Is the era of the secret sourced bottle finally over, or are we just getting started? Today, we’re digging into contract distillation. We’re tracing the roots from the early days of "shhh, don't tell them it's MGP" to the massive, high-tech operations like Bardstown Bourbon Company that have turned being a NDP into a badge of honor. But as you, the consumer, gets more sophisticated, the demand for transparency is hitting an all-time high, and we’re talking about why "faking the funk" with a made-up story just doesn't fly in 2026. We also tackle the elephant in the room: market oversaturation. With speculative investments pouring in and foreign tariffs squeezing exports, the landscape is shifting under our feet. It's not all bad news. We’re envisioning a true whiskey renaissance as those massive inventories of aging barrels finally hit the market, likely leading to some of the most unique, high-quality releases we've ever seen.
Show Notes:
Historical significance and evolution of contract distillation

Increased consumer interest in whiskey authenticity and sourcing

Key players in the current contract distillation landscape

Risks and opportunities for new distilleries entering the market

Discussions on market oversaturation and speculative investments

Effects of foreign tariffs on the whiskey export business

Predictions for a bright future in whiskey with innovative barrel-aged flavors

Importance of strong customer relationships for contract distillers

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We’ve been living out of suitcases lately. Between officially opening up the West Coast and those back-to-back market visits, it’s been a whirlwind, but it’s the only way to really see how the brand is landing on the ground. On today’s episode, we’re recapping those travels and diving deep into the inception of Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon. We talk about the momentum we’re seeing from one release to the next and how a successful launch like this actually dictates our LTO strategy as we start mapping out the calendar for the rest of 2026 and even into 2027.

We also get into the weeds on the "finishing" craze. There is a lot of noise in the market right now, so we’re asking the hard questions: Does a wood-finished product actually land better with the consumer than a wine, spirit, or even a honey-maple finish? Plus, we get honest about the "gut feeling"—could we tell Sakura Bloom was going to be a hit before it ever touched a shelf, or is it always a gamble until the first reviews start rolling in?Show Notes:
Market Challenges and Opportunities

Product Development: Sakura Bloom Bourbon

Consumer Reception and Market Trends

The Anticipation of Product Success

Building Trust with Consumers

The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection

Future Product Strategies and Market Adaptation

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Bardstown Bourbon’s new Cascadia Garryana Finish takes straight bourbon whiskey and gives it a unique Garryana oak barrel finish. The result brings rich baking spice, cocoa, brown sugar, and a surprising pear cobbler note that makes this one seriously memorable.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 April 17th 2026. Sazerac has reportedly approached Brown-Forman regarding a potential merger, MGP stops distilling operations at Limestone Branch Distillery and Lux Row Distillers, and Oscar Mayer has announced its first bacon innovation in five years with the launch of Maple Bourbon Bacon with Evan Williams.
Show Notes:
Sazerac has approached Brown-Forman with a rival merger bid, complicating Brown-Forman’s ongoing "merger of equals" talks with Pernod Ricard

Sazerac has rebranded its La Vergne, Tennessee, site as the AJ Bond Distillery and will launch its first Tennessee whiskey this summer

MGP Ingredients is idling distilling operations at two Kentucky facilities for at least 12 months starting May 1, 2026, to address market oversupply

Kentucky Artisan Distillery Program launched a new single barrel program offering smaller 15- and 25-gallon barrels to increase accessibility for consumers

A new 60-seat speakeasy focused on bourbon history and Prohibition-era legends will open beneath Louisville's Hotel Distil on May 5, 2026

Give 270's 19th Whiskey Wednesdays round, the "Bourbon Buddy Bonus," features weekly raffles for rare whiskey through June 24, 2026

GALLO has acquired Four Roses Bourbon from Kirin Holdings, bringing the historic brand back under U.S. family ownership

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail hosted 2.7 million visitors in 2025, with 80% traveling from outside Kentucky and 62% reporting household incomes over $100,000

Foley Family Wines & Spirits launched Gambit No. 6, a 6-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in six different barrel types, priced at $69.99

James B. Beam Distilling Co. launched the Blender's Edition 01, a 10-year-old, 106-proof release priced at $44.99

New Riff/Rhinegeist released DUET American Whiskey, a 6-year-old, 111.2-proof blend of malted barley, raw barley, and rye priced at $79.99

Hard Truth French Oak Finished Bourbon, a sweet mash whiskey finished in French oak casks, is available now for $69.99

Rabbit Hole Raceking’s new 6-year-old, 5-grain mash bill bourbon debuts on April 14, 2026, at its Louisville distillery

Buffalo Trace is releasing the Single Oak Rye Bourbon ($74.99) and the Experimental Collection Low Entry Proof Wheated Bourbon ($46.99) this April

Oscar Mayer partnered with Evan Williams to launch a new maple bourbon-cured bacon as part of an annual innovation strategy

Koopers is releasing 225 bottles of a 7-year-old, Cognac-cask finished rye on April 11, 2026, priced at $80 per bottle

The third "Greats of the Gate" bottle, honoring Hall of Fame horse Northern Dancer, releases April 16, 2026, to support Kentucky nonprofits

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