Bourbon Pursuit

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 spirits

Federal probe examines hidden cameras seized from former Angel’s Envy founder Wes Henderson

Receivership sale of Uncle Nearest assets nears Chapter 11 filing amid federal probes

ACSA economic study shows U.S. craft spirits volume declined 8% in 2025

Performance fuel maker VP Racing acquires Alamo Distilling in contract expansion

JetBlue adds 50ml bottles of Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon to onboard flights

Fourth annual National Bourbon Week announced for Bardstown, Kentucky, June 14–20, 2027

Lofted Spirits promotes Nick Smith to Master Distiller following 1,000,000th barrel milestone

Pursuit Spirits announces Pursuit United XS Double Oak Rye capped at 720 bottles

Starlight Distillery debuts Estate Collection 7-Year Cask Strength Bourbon at 110.8 proof

Woodford Reserve releases 30th anniversary Triple Pot Still and ceramic decanter offerings

Russell’s Reserve debuts Single Rickhouse 2026 – Camp Nelson D at 120.8 proof

Maker’s Mark debuts World Wood Collection Expedition 01 travel-retail exclusive at 101 proof

High West releases A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14 finished in Port and Sherry casks

Kentucky Senator Bourbon debuts Thoroughbred Legacy Series dedicated to champion filly Nitrogen

KNOBEL Tennessee Whiskey launches 7-Year Special Edition funding trade scholarships at $99.99

Frey Ranch introduces Harvester Series Third Harvest featuring farm-grown triticale at 90 proof

Old Forester debuts Tribute Series 12-Year Bourbon in historic decanter bottle for $299.99

Wyoming Whiskey launches Queen of the Tetons Second Edition honoring Grizzly 399 at 99 proof

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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 their toasted bourbon, rye, four-grain, Bee's Knees and Sapsquatch expressions. At the very end we talk about industry collaborations like our Found Footage that has now been sold out to our clubs plus scaling into major hubs like Atlanta airport tasting bars, and why staying authentic keeps Shortbarrel ahead of the curve.
Show Notes:
The team sits down with Short Barrel co-founder Clinton and sales head Manny to discuss the brand's evolution from barrel picks to a full-scale whiskey company.

Clinton shares how a marketing background and self-funded growth strategy helped shape Short Barrel's methodical distribution expansion.

The team explores core product development, warehouse aging impacts, Kelvin Cooperage barrels, and blends designed specifically for consumer palates.

The conversation details the creation of the Bee's Knees honey-finished series and the team's approach to using honey as a core flavor ingredient.

Clinton and Manny discuss clear spirits offerings, airport tasting bar expansions, and their collaborative release with Pursuit Spirits.

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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-consumer recycled) glass that gives their glass a certain rustic appeal. But that process has to managing extreme temperatures, color formulation, and structural tolerances from the designer. That's where Chad comes in. He's the creative guy that can turn an idea on the back of a napkin into a bottle that looks like artwork. He spends his time understanding the brand DNA and translating that into one of a kind package design. This is an angle of the show we've never taken before and I'm sure a lot of bourbon geeks will appreciate everything that goes into the bottle you pick up off the shelf but if you're a whiskey producer looking into the custom space for something your brand can call your own, this episode is the complete package... see what I did there?
Show Notes:
How Fusion Glass Mexico approaches sustainable glass manufacturing and 100% PCR recycled glass

The step-by-step process of collecting, crushing, washing, and remaking recycled glass

How high-temperature glass forming impacts bottle symmetry, wall thickness, and weight

Chad Michael’s journey from agency design work to founding Chad Michael Studio

Using brand story questionnaires to define brand personality before designing packaging

Stock glass vs. bespoke custom molds: balancing cost, MOQs, and shelf presence

When and why growing brands should transition away from stock bottles

Technical limits of glass production: machine compatibility, GPI standards, and impact testing

The future of whiskey packaging design: balancing creative storytelling with logical, cost-effective engineering

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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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