Bourbon Pursuit

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 3rd 2026. Brown-Forman Corp. and Pernod Ricard have confirmed mutual interest in a merger, two lawsuits have been dismissed for competing bourbon brands, and Larrikin Bourbon has released its third annual “Pour for the Roses". Show Notes: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirm mutual interest in a "merger of equals" to consolidate two of the world's largest spirits portfolios while maintaining family control Green River Distilling parts ways with Head Distiller Aaron Harris as the Owensboro facility faces further workforce contractions LF Heritage Distilling Co. property ordered to foreclosure and sale following a $5 million debt dispute with construction contractors MGP Ingredients clears securities fraud lawsuit after a judge rules leadership mismanaged market shifts rather than intentionally misleading investors Brough Brothers loses appeals court challenge against Fresh Bourbon over the "first" Black-owned Kentucky distillery claim Larrikin Bourbon launches "Pour for the Roses – 2026 Running," a 9-year single barrel expression featuring vintage feed bag packaging for the Kentucky Derby Proof & Wood introduces its first Bottled in Bond expression with an 11-year Tumblin’ Dice Straight Bourbon featuring a unique 99% corn mashbill Hard Truth Distilling Co. debuts its first 7-year age-stated trio, featuring Sweet Mash Rye, Bourbon, and Wheated Bourbon crafted entirely on their Indiana campus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does the whiskey industry need more experts, or does it just need better storytellers? Today, we’re joined by Daniel Whittington, the Chancellor of Wizard Academy and co-founder of the Whiskey Marketing School, and we talk about how narrative and community are the real drivers behind your favorite bottles. Daniel shares his transition from the wine world into how a secret whiskey group eventually evolved into a mission to change how we educate our palates. There's more to the pour and it's the technical and psychological side of the whiskey that I really enjoy when I watch Daniel's videos. As one of the OGs of the YouTube world, he built an incredible community with Whiskey Tribe and but things hit a stopping point with his co-host and we talk about how that impacts relationships, friendships, and how the public eye percieves it. But he's also champtioning independant bottlers with a whole new look on tranparency and why those bottles are something you should be looking for. Show Notes: The community-centered mission of Difference Bourbon Daniel’s transition from wine to whiskey and its impact The role of storytelling in whiskey education Insights on the evolving quality of whiskey and the importance of connection The rise and challenges of the Whiskey Tribe YouTube channel Navigating audience engagement and content creation Clarifying whiskey classifications for consumer education The launch of AmericanIndy.com focused on transparency in independent bottling Celebrating the human connections within the whiskey community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garrison Brothers returns with the 2025 Cowboy Bourbon, a hazmat-level 146.4 proof Texas release hand-selected by master distiller Donnis Todd. With bold vanilla cola, cream soda sweetness, peppery Texas spice, and deep barrel intensity, this high-proof bourbon delivers big flavor without overwhelming heat. We break down whether this limited annual release is truly worth the hype and the $250 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 27th 2026. Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the inaugural release of Elijah Craig Single Barrel 15-Year-Old, and Evan Williams is releasing five limited-edition Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles.Show Notes: Van Gogh Fast feature film set to shoot at Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries this spring Receiver requests gag order and $75,000 in sanctions against Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver Reyes Beverage Group to acquire RNDC operations across 10 states and Washington, D.C. Bardstown Bourbon Co. countersues former HR VP over alleged disclosure of confidential information Gulf Coast package stores sue Ruan Transport over state liquor warehouse software glitch Remus Bourbon launches Remus Bottle Club quarterly direct-to-consumer subscription service Four Roses Distillery debuts permanent “Meet Me With Four Roses” brand campaign Heaven Hill Distillery adds Elijah Craig Single Barrel 15-Year-Old Bourbon to permanent portfolio Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. debuts 10-Year-Old Henry Kraver’s Reserve Bourbon Jake Norris returns to Colorado craft scene with The Curated Barrel Project online-only releases Blue Run Spirits and Atlanta Braves partner for commemorative 60th-anniversary bourbon Buffalo Trace Distillery unveils $550 Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat aged 10 years Evan Williams drops five limited-edition Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles Jack Daniel’s announces sweepstakes for latest Aged Series bottle releases in Lynchburg Lux Row Distillers announces Blood Oath Pact 12 finished in Italian wine casks Horse Soldier Bourbon launches ultra-premium 13-year Liberty Edition for America’s 250th anniversary National Bourbon Week returns to Bardstown, Kentucky, June 14-21, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices