Sotheby's has set a record for the most valuable bourbon ever sold at auction, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction has announced a historic collaborative lot titled “United We Stand”, and Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have reclaimed and are relaunching their Belle Meade whiskey.

We’re joined by Jeff Wuslich, he's the President of Cardinal Spirits and Cardinal Copacking, to break down what it takes to actually manufacture booze at scale. Jeff has a background in manufacturing and slowly became a cornerstone of the Indiana craft scene. Jeff also has their own brands they use to showcase their abilities and have relationships with powerhouses like MGP. One thing that interested me was RTDs and the explosion of the canned cocktail movement, but as Jeff will talk about there are some massive compliance headaches that come with them. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own label or just want to know how the industry actually moves behind the scenss, this one side you need to understand..

In this episode of Behind the Pursuit, Ryan and I are pulling back the curtain on what it actually looks like to enter new markets in 2026. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of distributor communications and why a solid on-premise strategy may be the only way to survive a landscape that is getting more crowded by the day. We also get honest about the challenges smaller brands face when trying to stay nimble while consumer preferences are shifting right under our feet. It’s a look at the balance between aggressive growth and the strategic planning you need to make sure that "up and to the right" trend doesn't just become a flash in the pan.

We go bourbon hunting and land on Duck Club Bourbon, a smooth, easy-sipping blend.

Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl have moved into a Chapter 7 liquidation, Casey Jones Distillery has been acquired B3 Beverage Company, and Penelope Bourbon is doing a collaboration with Serena & Lily.

On this episode of Bourbon Pursuit, the team sits down with one of the most recognizable names in the whiskey world: Jeff Arnett. After nearly two decades at the helm of Jack Daniel’s, Jeff decided it was time to trade the corporate blueprint for his own vision, co-founding Company Distilling. Jeff opens up about what it’s really like to leave the world’s largest distillery to navigate the challenges—and the total creative freedom—of starting from scratch. We’re diving into his "best of both worlds" approach to distillation, where he’s focusing on spirits that are approachable enough for a newcomer but complex enough to keep the seasoned aficionados coming back for more. The conversation gets real about the current state of the industry, shifting consumer tastes, and how to maintain uncompromising quality in a market that feels more crowded every day. Jeff also gives us a look behind the curtain at Company Distilling’s community-focused homes in Lynchburg and Townsend. To wrap things up, we’re shifting gears into Jeff’s passion for cars and the surprising parallels he sees between a high-performance engine and a world-class whiskey.

Willett and Wolves team up on a bold rye whiskey collaboration blending Kentucky and California aged barrels.

Whiskey House finishes its first warehouse using KRAX, Sazerac wins an initial trademark dispute against Liv Golf, and High West releases its annual cask strength.

It’s that time of year when we polish off the crystal ball and try to guess exactly where the bourbon industry is headed in 2026. The panel dives into some high-stakes predictions on the rise of exclusive distillery clubs and the portential rise of the craft sector by leaning into Direct-to-Consumer sales. We also get into some scarier territory—think tariffs and the possibility of major distilleries actually pausing production—while others weighs in on the acquisition frenzy that’s continuing to reshape the landscape. We also tackle the death of FOMO on limited releases, the push for even higher-proof offerings, and the wild possibility of NIL deals between universities and distilleries. Will your favorite college quarterback have a signature bottle pick soon? We’re breaking it all down to see how economic and political factors will keep the bourbon scene shaking in the year ahead.

We take a look at the 2025 Michter’s Toasted Barrel Sour Mash Whiskey, an 86-proof release that delivers bold popcorn and kettle corn notes from nose to finish.

Meat Church BBQ Makes an Investment in Pursuit Spirits, The Weavers of Uncle Nearest File a Civil Suit against their former CFO, and Watch Hill Whiskey Company unveils two new limited releases.

In this enlightening episode of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, we invite industry experts Will Breeden, co-owner of Indiana Small Batch, and Chase Henry, a brand ambassador for New Riff, to delve into the nuances of bourbon. Will and Chase share their personal journeys in the whisky world, highlighting how family legacies and passion for American bourbon shaped their careers. They provide an in-depth look at the rigorous Master of Bourbon certification process overseen by the Council of Whiskey Masters, revealing the educational demands and career benefits that accompany this prestigious title. You'll also get a taste of the fun side of education, as the team present sample questions that mimic oral exam challenges, bringing humor and showcasing the depth of knowledge required. The episode closes with valuable advice for aspiring bourbon enthusiasts, including resources for those interested in pursuing bourbon certification.

Jack Daniel’s Toasted Barrel is now a year-round release, and this one absolutely delivers.

It used to be that picking a single barrel was something reserved for the most dedicated enthusiasts. But today? They're everywhere. It become an obsession that has completely transformed the industry. In this episode, we’re talk about the evolution of the single barrel craze—from its massive explosion back in 2014 to the high-stakes, post-pandemic market we’re navigating today. We share some personal stories and debate over the controversial shift from intimate, hand-selected barrels to today’s commercialized "sticker" culture. There's also the business side to tackle where distillers favor high-volume accounts while the small retailers get left behind. We also tackle the the skyrocketing prices for legacy programs like Four Roses and what that means for your wallet. Market saturation has been felt for a while and we what opportunities lie head for new brands to step in and thrive. I'm sure you're like me and you've got a shelf full of barrel picks and you've got the FOMO because that next single barrel, that's the special one.

Angel’s Envy takes bourbon back to basics with their Two-Grain Bourbon.

Jim Beam halts production at its Clermont Facility, the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition has signed another petition for trump to remove retaliatory tariffs, and new Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition release.

This is Jay's second time on the show and this time without the cload and veil. He went from a quiet contributor and guy behind the scenes on a subreddit to one of the most respected voices and blenders in the game. We dive into the staggering growth of the Reddit whiskey community—now 300,000 members strong—and why keeping that culture supportive and nontoxic is so important to the overall whiskey community. We also geek out on the barrel-picking process and how he’s managed to scale up to hundreds of barrels a year to meet the insane demand for unique bottles people are searching for. Of course, we also had to talk about Jay’s brand, Reveries, and his unique philosophy on acquiring great barrels, blending and storytelling.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 brings a sweet mash twist to the annual release.

Cannabinoid regulation is underway, a trial using a robotic dog with an ethanol sensing system is launched, and Wilderness Trail Distillery has announced the limited-edition release of a 10-Year Wheated Bourbon.

We’re back for a high-energy episode as the crew—Kenny, Ryan, Fred, Eric, Brian, and Blake from Seelbach’s—gather around the table to crown the heavy hitters of 2025. Between the usual banter and plenty of laughs, we’re breaking down the bourbon and rye releases that actually lived up to the hype this year. We also tackle the trends dominating the shelves, from the honey-finish craze to the serious rise of American Single Malts. We dive deep into the price-to-quality debate, dissecting whether these craft price points are justified and why you need to be looking outside the typical trophy bottles to find the real gems. If you want to know what belongs on your bar cart in 2025, this one is a must-listen.

We’re reflecting on 2025—a year that was easily our most ambitious to date. Ryan and I sit down to get real about whether we actually hit those aggressive case goals we set last January and what the financial health of the business looks like after a year of heavy reinvestment. We’ve expanded the team and pushed the envelope on product development, but as any founder will tell you, growth usually comes with a side of growing pains.

We’re diving into the Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition, one of the most unpredictable annual releases from Heaven Hill.

WhistlePig Distillery has opened The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Garrison Brothers Distillery has released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel bourbon, and The Old Forester 117 Series is releasing their Prohibition Era Still Proof.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing and Brand Development for Three Chord Bourbon. Ryan’s journey is pretty cool because he started his life in music production. He takes us through his early days running liquor stores in Memphis, where he first saw the magic of music and whiskey intertwine, straight through to his current role leading brand vision at Three Chord. We get into the inception of Three Chord and how the brand is successfully building a a niche from Neil Giraldo. Ryan shares how his deep retail experience shaped Three Chord's focus on both high-quality whiskey and visually killer packaging that instantly hooks music fans. Plus, we dive into their innovative tactics, from artist collaborations to cool limited releases, and he even pitches us some great ideas for immersive experiences, like acoustic sessions right there in the liquor store. I'm you're a huge music junkie, this one's for you

We cracked open the 2025 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon to see if this year’s blend lives up to the hype.