Bourbon Pursuit

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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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 NFTs as digital membership cards and embedded NFC chips on bottles that let their club members unlock tasting notes, watch videos from the pick, and even provide that information back to distilleries for real-time data on where bottles are actually being opened and enjoyed.
Show Notes:
Behind the scenes of building The Prime Barrel and pivoting from retail to an online-first model during COVID.

How Discord and digital access transformed a local bottle-picking group into a thriving nationwide community.

Using NFTs and NFC-chipped bottles to unlock exclusive tasting notes, videos, and real-time consumer data.

Mr. G's journey into bourbon, selecting barrels for diverse palates, and hosting the Prime Barrel Chronicles.

Current market trends: high age statements, the shift away from finished whiskeys, and upcoming distillery experiments.

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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 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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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 debate comparing the innovation of craft distillers against the scale of heritage titans, and wrap up with a look at how social algorithms, hype, and online content creators drive today’s bourbon market. Pour yourself a drink and experience the best of the festival floor with us!
Show Notes:
Live coverage directly from the Pursuit Spirits booth at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown.

The balance between digital marketing, detailed tasting notes, and building trust through live tastings.

How fresh, diverse voices and perspectives are reshaping traditional whiskey culture.

Why distillate quality and overall balance matter far more than age statements.

The role of tight-knit communities in keeping whiskey enthusiasts connected beyond the bottle.

A live debate comparing the innovation of craft distillers against the scale of heritage brands.

How social media algorithms, hype, and online content creators drive today’s bourbon market.

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