Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf.

Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down with Bill Derham, the man behind Frankfort Avenue Liquors here in Louisville Kentucky to talk about his journey from the early days at Liquor World to building a standout store-and-bar destination. The retail world has its own hurdles like navigating inflation, shifting consumer trends, and how shops are handling the pressure of today’s market. Bill shares his take on the explosive rise of vintage spirits, the return of cocktail culture, and why building a community becomes key with rising competition. So whether you’re curious about how local retailers are keeping their shelves stocked or you just want to know the truth about the current state of the industry, Bill lays it all out for you here.

The 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes.

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled the Certified Craft Seal, and Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey.

On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy Brown-Forman for $15 Billion, or is this the ultimate PR stunt? We’re breaking down the health of these two giants and asking the tough questions: Does Brown-Forman actually need Sazerac, or is this just a shark smelling blood in the water? We dig into the strategic timing of the offer and the massive cultural divide between the two companies. From Sazerac’s "boots on the ground" influencer tactics to the legacy-driven machine of Brown-Forman, we analyze the financial mechanics that make this potential deal both fascinating and terrifying. One thing is for sure: the landscape of your local liquor store shelf might never be the same.

Michter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real.

Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Today we’re welcoming back the "Barbecue OG" himself, Matt Pittman, the founder of Meat Church. We’re tracing his wild journey from being a Dallas Cowboys water boy to becoming the official pitmaster of the team. We dive into how Matt built a literal empire out of backyard tailgates and high-quality rubs, and also get into the nitty-gritty of why barbecue and bourbon are basically the same language. It’s been a minute since we last chatted, and a lot has changed—including Matt joining the Pursuit family is as an investor in Pursuit Spirits. We talk about the parallels between blending a perfect barrel and crafting a world-class brisket, and Matt gives us the inside scoop on his new cola-based sauce and the latest Traeger collab. But the real kicker? We’re officially announcing the Honey Bourbon collaboration between Meat Church and Pursuit Spirits, featuring real Texas wildflower honey. If you want to know how to leverage social media to build a lifestyle brand around cooking, hunting, and family, Matt is the blueprint.

Rare Perfection 10 Year from Preservation Distillery brings a 3-barrel micro blend at 130.7 proof.

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.

Today, we’re digging into the backbone of the modern whiskey boom: 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 an NDP into a badge of honor. But as consumer palettes get 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. We get real about the struggles new distilleries are facing just to keep the lights on, but there’s a silver lining. 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. Whether you’re a brand owner or just someone trying to find a good pour on the shelf, you’ll want to hear where this train is headed.

In this episode of Behind the Pursuit we’re recapping our Q1 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.

Bardstown Bourbon’s new Cascadia Garryana Finish takes straight bourbon whiskey and gives it a unique Garryana oak barrel finish.

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.

Today we’re joined by Ryan and Alec Balas, the creative minds behind Whiskeyland TV, to talk about their transition from professional filmmaking to capturing the soul of the bourbon trail. From shooting childhood home videos to their serendipitous entry into the spirits world with their film Runner, the brothers share how a candid "bathtub epiphany" led to a vision for whiskey-centric storytelling that bypasses the big brands to focus on the authentic, gritty narratives of craft distilleries. In a saturated market that often favors flashy, 15-second clips over substance, Ryan and Alec are doubling down on nuanced storytelling that resonates with enthusiasts on a personal level. We also dive into the challenges of staying innovative while remaining committed to genuine narratives instead of scripted marketing fluff. It’s a fresh look at how bourbon serves as the ultimate medium for connection, so if you’re looking for the "indie film" side of the industry, you’ll want to hear what the Bayless brothers are building.

Leiper’s Fork’s 8 year Single Barrel Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey completely caught us off guard.

It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re diving straight into the tectonic shift that just rocked the industry. In this episode, we dissect the confirmed mutual interest between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard. Following the massive news of Gallo’s acquisition of Four Roses, we’re debating what this level of consolidation means for the "little guy" and whether craft producers are about to get squeezed off the shelf entirely. We’re navigating the anxiety surrounding job security and brand identity, wondering if icons like Old Forester and Woodford Reserve can maintain their soul under Pernod’s management. We’re breaking down the hype, the heartbreak, and the reality of a changing landscape in 2026. Pour a glass and join the conversation.

Angel’s Envy’s 2025 10 year cask strength release brings port-finished richness, deep oak, dark fruit syrup, and wild berry pastry vibes at 122.6 proof.

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".

Today, we’re joined by Daniel Whittington, the Chancellor of Wizard Academy and co-founder of the Whiskey Marketing School, to pull back the curtain on how narrative and community are the real drivers behind your favorite bottles. Daniel shares his transition from the wine world into the "Wild West" of whiskey, breaking down how a secret whiskey group eventually evolved into a mission to change how we educate our palates. We’re diving into the technical and psychological side of the glass, from the importance of narrative in whiskey education to his unique project with Difference Bourbon that proves it’s about the people you're drinking with, not just the liquid in the glencairn. Daniel reflects on his journey building a massive community alongside Rex Williams on the Whiskey Tribe YouTube channel and the growing pains of digital content creation. He gets candid about the critiques he’s faced and why humility is a required ingredient when you’re in the public eye. We also get a first look at AmericanIndy.com, his new platform dedicated to bringing total transparency to the world of independent bottling.

Garrison Brothers returns with the 2025 Cowboy Bourbon, a hazmat-level 146.4 proof Texas release hand-selected by master distiller Donnis Todd.

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.

Today, we’re joined by Pete Barger, the co-founder of Southern Distilling Company, to talk about how he’s disrupting the craft bourbon landscape from just outside of Charlotte. Pete brings a unique blend of engineering and agricultural expertise to the table, and he’s sharing the story of how they built a massive, state-of-the-art operation that’s doing everything from contract distilling for powerhouses like Brothers Bond to winning double golds with their own Paragon wheated bourbon. We’re diving into why quality and grain transparency are starting to trump provenance in the eyes of today’s consumer. Pete breaks down their commitment to regenerative farming and how sourcing local North Carolina grains creates a flavor profile that stands out in a crowded market. We also get into the fun stuff—tasting through their American Single Malt and that viral honey-cask finished bourbon. If you’ve ever been a "Kentucky-only" purist, this conversation is a masterclass in how authenticity and massive scale are putting North Carolina on the whiskey map.

H.K. Young leans into the wheated bourbon craze with a 7 year, 122.4 proof release finished in two custom toasted oak barrels from Independent Stave Company.

Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced ticket sale dates, and Bardstown Bourbon Company will release its Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.