Bourbon Obsessed Bourbon Podcast

14 Bourbon Industry News Stories (and an Event) You Need to Know!
The Supreme Court takes on home distilling, a Kentucky craft pioneer heads to the auction block and a well-known Indiana distillery, yet again, changes its name. All this and more on this week’s Bourbon and Distillery news!
CONTENTS00:00:00 Opening00:05:43 Supreme Court to Review Federal Home Distilling Ban00:11:44 MB Roland Distillery Heads to Auction00:16:36 MGP Ingredients Plans to Rebrand as Sempreon00:19:44 Great Jones Closes Its Manhattan Visitor Center00:21:52 Lofted Spirits Elevates Nick Smith to Master Distiller00:23:10 National Bourbon Week Returns June 14–20, 202700:25:37 Casey Jones Distillery Sale to B3 Beverage Not Completed00:28:15 Brother’s Bond Bourbon Joins JetBlue’s Onboard Selection00:30:07 Craft Spirits Sales Decline for Third Straight Year00:34:08 ISFAR Critique of Alcohol-Attributable Cancer Mortality Study00:38:02 Pernod Ricard Reports a 10% Decline in U.S. Quarterly Sales00:41:26 Larrikin Expands Distribution into Texas00:42:45 Still Austin Opens The Still Austin Quarter00:45:26 California Distillery Trail Connects Growers, Distillers and Visitors00:48:01 Dark Arts Halloween Pop-Up Market00:49:06 Closing
SHOW NOTES
Ed and Dean discuss 14 bourbon industry news stories and a Halloween event, along with recent tastings and distillery visits.
Read the newsletter and find all our sources here:bourbonobsessed.com/bourbon-and-distillery-news-for-october-24-2026/
- Home distilling: The Supreme Court takes up the federal ban, and Dean explains the constitutional question.- MB Roland: The operating distillery heads to auction as its founders prepare to retire.- MGP/Sempreon: We discuss the planned corporate rebrand and CASK stock ticker.- Great Jones: The Manhattan visitor center closes, with questions remaining about future production.- Lofted Spirits: Nick Smith becomes Master Distiller as Steve Nally moves to an emeritus role.- National Bourbon Week: Bardstown’s celebration returns June 14–20, 2027.- Casey Jones: The B3 Beverage sale did not close; tours, production and events continue.- Brother’s Bond: The bourbon joins JetBlue’s onboard selection in 50 mL bottles.- Craft spirits: Sales decline again, California’s distiller count drops, and local customers remain important. We distinguish 2025 sales from 2026 distiller counts.- ISFAR: We discuss its critique of an alcohol-attributable cancer mortality study and the difference between death counts and age-standardized rates.- Pernod Ricard: U.S. sales fall, with little detail about American whiskey beyond Skrewball.- Larrikin: The Kentucky distillery expands distribution into Texas.- Still Austin: The Still Austin Quarter adds music, cocktails, food and event space.- California Distillery Trail: An online trip-planning guide connects distillers, visitors and specialty-crop agriculture.- Dark Arts: A Halloween Pop-Up Market comes to Lexington on October 31, with evening activities at The Break Room.
Join us later this week for a special Bourbon Litigation Update and next Monday for New Bourbon Releases News. Visit BourbonObsessed.com for our whiskey reviews, distillery write-ups and newsletter sign-up. Find Bourbon Obsessed on Instagram at @bourbon_obsessed and on Facebook at BourbonObsessed. Follow Dean on Instagram at @dean_of_bourbon. Thank you to our supporters, and be sure to follow the podcast on your preferred listening platform so you don’t miss an episode! Cheers!

32 New Bourbons and other American Whiskeys To Try!(and a board game and dog biscuits, too!)
Lost Lantern goes all-in on George Dickel, Chattanooga puts a wooden record in its whiskey, and New Era’s Marquee brings 12 labels and a $49.99 price tag. Join Ed and Dean as we discuss 32 new bourbons and other American whiskeys, plus a whiskey-themed board game and dog treats!
We cover new releases from Angel’s Envy, Wheel Horse, Copper & Cask, Starlight, Jacob’s Pardon, King of Kentucky, Lost Lantern, Oaklore, Tallbird, Woodford Reserve, KNOBEL, Old Forester, Holladay Bourbones, Chattanooga Whiskey, Ben Holladay, New Era / Marquee, Bib & Tucker, Maker’s Mark, Russell’s Reserve, Pursuit United, New Riff, High West and Rare Character’s Old Cassidy.
Along the way, we talk about value at different price points, barrel finishes, estate-grown grains, and the growing number of releases reserved for whiskey-club members or airport shops. Highlights include Tallbird’s $25 seven-year-old bourbon, Old Forester’s new 12-year Tribute Series, Ben Holladay’s oldest bourbon to date, and the new sherry finishes in High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 14.
Read the full October 17 newsletter for release details, prices, proofs and availability:https://bourbonobsessed.com/new-bourbon-releases-news-for-october-17-2026/
Also mentioned: Inside Minden Mill Distillery with Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan:https://bourbonobsessed.com/inside-minden-mill-distillery-with-master-distiller-joe-osullivan/
Subscribe to our free newsletters:https://bourbonobsessed.com/bourbon-obsessed-mailing-list-sign-up/
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Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:02:36 Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Volume 600:06:15 Wheel Horse Cigar Blend Bourbon 202600:07:59 Copper & Cask X 10-Year Bourbon00:08:46 Copper & Cask No. 017 9-Year Cigar Blend Bourbon00:09:17 Copper & Cask No. 018 9-Year Double Oak Bourbon00:12:48 Starlight Estate Collection 7-Year Cask Strength Bourbon00:15:17 Jacob’s Pardon Bourbon00:16:44 King of Kentucky 2026 14-Year Single Barrel Bourbon00:20:01 Lost Lantern Fall 2026 George Dickel Collection00:24:45 Oaklore Story Series Prohibition Oak Bourbon00:27:25 Tallbird American Whiskey00:30:15 Woodford Reserve 30th Anniversary Triple Pot Still00:33:04 KNOBEL 7-Year mikeroweWORKS Foundation Edition00:35:00 Old Forester Tribute Series 202600:37:59 Holladay Bourbones Dog Treats00:40:11 Chattanooga Whiskey Bad Chattanoogan — Side A & Side B00:43:22 Ben Holladay 10 Year Bourbon00:45:11 New Era’s Marquee Exclusive Small Batch Bourbon00:47:51 Bib & Tucker Monopoly Collector’s Edition00:51:28 Maker’s Mark World Wood Collection Expedition 0100:53:10 Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse 2026 — Camp Nelson D00:55:53 Pursuit United XS Double Oak Rye00:58:20 New Riff 6 Year Old Wheated Bourbon00:59:47 High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 1401:01:38 Rare Character Old Cassidy 202601:02:57 Closing

What happens when you grow your own grain in Nevada’s high desert, age whiskey in rickhouses modeled on Kentucky and Scotland, and operate two distinct distilleries on one campus? Join Ed and Karen as Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan takes us behind the scenes at Minden Mill Distillery, in Minden, NV. From the ranch and barrel warehouses to the stills and tasting room, we explore the factors that shape their whiskeys, and taste the results. Join us!
CONTENTS
00:00:00 Introduction00:00:52 The Ranch: Carson Valley Water, Grain & Terroir00:08:38 The Bourbon/Rye Rickhouse: Bringing Kentucky to Nevada00:14:07 The Single Malt Rickhouse: Scotland, Barrels & Maturation00:26:12 The Distillery Campus00:27:54 The Bourbon/Rye Distillery00:39:51 The Single Malt Distillery00:51:00 The Tasting: Rye, Bourbon, Single Malt & Coffee Liqueur
Show Notes:
Inside Minden Mill Distillery with Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan
Our visit to Minden Mill Distillery in Minden, Nevada, takes us well beyond the tasting room. Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan joins us for a trip to the grain fields, a look inside two very different rickhouses, and a tour of the separate facilities used to make bourbon and rye and American single malt. Along the way, we talk about the land, the equipment, the barrels, and the people behind the whiskey before sitting down to taste the results.
00:00:00 — Introduction
We introduce Minden Mill and the features that drew us here: estate-grown grains, two distinct distilleries, and climate-controlled rickhouses inspired by Kentucky and Scotland. We’re joined by Master Distiller Joe O’Sullivan for a tour that follows the whiskey from its agricultural beginnings to the glass.
00:00:52 — The Ranch: Carson Valley Water, Grain & Terroir
Our conversation begins on the drive out, with a little of Joe’s background before we turn to the Carson Valley and the water that makes farming possible here. We reach the ranch around 00:04:25 and discuss the grains they grow, the challenges of working with oats, and why Joe finds rye such a compelling expression of the place where it’s grown.
00:08:38 — The Bourbon/Rye Rickhouse: Bringing Kentucky to Nevada
Stepping inside the bourbon and rye rickhouse, we immediately notice the change in humidity. We ask Joe how the Kentucky-inspired environment works, why Nevada’s dry climate presents such a challenge for aging whiskey, and what altitude might contribute. We also discuss barrel temperatures, thermal mass, and why the warehouse doesn’t need to follow every outdoor temperature change minute by minute.
00:14:07 — The Single Malt Rickhouse: Scotland, Barrels & Maturation
We move into the cooler, more humid environment used for single malt and talk about barrel sizes and finishing projects. The conversation turns to how spirits settle after bottling and opening, then to Joe’s preference for long air-dried staves and high-quality oak. As we make our way back, we also discuss production schedules, water, cooling systems, and the challenges of running an automated distillery.
00:26:12 — The Distillery Campus
Back at the campus, Joe points out the pump house and explains why he values ideas from the wider team. We discuss the success of Evil Bean coffee liqueur, the role of Foley’s leadership, and the balance between Joe’s own approach and the contributions of the people around him before heading inside for the production tour.
00:27:54 — The Bourbon/Rye Distillery
We take a close look at the Christian CARL pot still and the Headframe stripping still, with Joe explaining how the two work together. Our questions cover cuts, wooden fermenters, efficiency, and what happens to the spent grain and stillage. We also see the small research still, blending rooms, and bottling area while talking about the experienced team that keeps everything running.
00:39:51 — The Single Malt Distillery
Joe introduces the historic mill before taking us through the thermal oil heating system beneath the single malt stills. We discuss why he uses it, how cooking temperatures can affect flavor, and the differences between this setup and steam heating. Upstairs, we explore the mash tun, Forsyth stills, and spirit safe, then talk about the restored building, energy use, and designing products that the team can produce consistently.
00:51:00 — The Tasting: Rye, Bourbon, Single Malt & Coffee Liqueur
We begin with the rye and its candied-orange character, then talk about proof, flocculation, and Joe’s approach to chill filtration. The bourbon brings cherry-cola notes and another conversation about the corn varieties that can thrive here. We finish with the single malt’s barrel mix, Joe’s work alongside Chip Tate, and a brief look at Evil Bean coffee liqueur and how it’s served.
Come along for the fields, the rickhouses, the stills, and the conversation—and hear what we thought of the whiskey at the end of the journey.

5 Bourbon Legal News Stories That You Need To Know
What's happening in the bourbon industry's courtrooms? With Ed away this week, Dean Langdon welcomes fellow attorney Frank Becker for five bourbon litigation updates.
CONTENTS00:00:00 Intro00:00:54 Wes Henderson - TKC Distilling00:09:18 RNDC Bankruptcy00:13:31 Uncle Nearest00:20:12 Kentucky Owl00:23:09 Bardstown Bourbon Company00:29:46 Closing
Frank and Dean discuss the media-reported allegations against Wes Henderson and TKC Distilling's leadership changes at The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey; RNDC's bankruptcy sales and efforts to exit unwanted contracts; Uncle Nearest's Grant Sidney receivership dispute, Keith Weaver's dismissal request, and Sixth Circuit appeal; Kentucky Owl's operating results and contested professional fees; and the latest in Bardstown Bourbon Company's lawsuits involving Sylvia Sanders, Sandra Stone, and Laurel Altman-Dixon.
Along the way, Dean and Frank explain fiduciary duties, bankruptcy lease tools, receiverships, appeals, and the motions that can shape a case before trial.
Listen to the full episode, follow and subscribe to the Bourbon Obsessed Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and leave a rating or review. Share this episode with a fellow bourbon enthusiast, and visit bourbonobsessed.com for more bourbon news, reviews, and distillery coverage.
Stay out of court, and enjoy your bourbon responsibly! Cheers!

12 Bourbon Industry News Stories You Need to Know!
This week, Canada's alcohol ban may have a big bulk-shipment loophole, while England's new whisky rules ignite a single-malt debate. Plus, we've got news about Evan Williams, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Eastern Light Distilling, Jefferson's, Willett, Diageo's Crown Royal, Sazerac's Canadian Mist, Toasts Not Tariffs, Jameson Irish whiskey, NAFDAC and Southern Glazer's. Tune in to learn all about these news stories in this week's Bourbon and Distillery News!
CONTENTS
00:00:00 Introduction00:01:57 Evan Williams College Football00:05:14 Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2027 Dates00:06:56 Eastern Light Distilling Funding00:12:38 Jefferson’s Refreshes Portfolio 00:15:47 Willett Introduces Cask Strength Pot Still Reserve00:18:39 Certain Canadian Alcoholic Beverages Ban00:26:58 Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Letter to the President00:32:31 Jameson $5 Million Football-Season Bar Tab00:34:57 Irish Whiskey Tariffs to be Removed00:36:30 English Whisky Geographical Indication Application Approved 00:41:24 Methanol-Contaminated Drinks Kill in Nigeria00:44:28 Southern Glazer’s Settlement00:51:42 Conclusion
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃
 

27 New Bourbons and Other American Whiskeys to Try!
Even though we did two New Bourbon Releases episodes right before KBF, the releases are still pouring in. So, we will put off Industry News until next week, so we don't get too far behind.
This week, Pursuit Spirits and Shortbarrel blend maple-finished bourbon with double oak rye, Beam releases only the second Booker's rye ever, and Heaven Hill unveils the 20th edition of the Parker's Heritage Collection. And that's just the beginning! Tune in to this week's New Bourbon Releases News to learn about those and 24 other new whiskeys from Samuel Call, Chicken Cock, Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, Ingram, Glenmore, Garrison Brothers, Little Book, Sagamore, Milam & Greene, Knob Creek, The Maven, 2XO, and Woodinville, plus a chance to win 34 rare bottles!
CONTENTS00:00:00 Introduction00:03:09 Pursuit Spirits Found Footage00:05:54 Parker’s Heritage00:10:29 Samuel Call00:12:55 Chicken Cock 170th Anniversary 00:15:52 Van Winkle Whiskey Collection00:18:52 Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary 00:23:15 Ingram Flagship 202600:26:06 Glenmore00:28:37 Garrison Brothers PX and Oloroso Finished Cask Strength Single Barrels00:31:06 Booker’s The Reserves 202600:34:16 Little Book The Infinite Edition III00:35:59 Sagamore Darkness Falls00:38:24 Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 500:40:49 Knob Creek 12 Year Old Cask Strength00:42:56 The Maven00:47:24 2XO Rapper’s Delight – The Hip-Hop Blend00:50:30 Woodinville 10 Year Bourbon00:52:38 New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet’s Bourbon with a Mission Raffle 00:55:46 Closing
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

22 New Bourbon and other American Whiskeys To Try!
Since the Kentucky Bourbon Festival will be this weekend and we won't be having a podcast next Monday, this episode is going live now. Our next news episode will be Monday September 21.
This week, Woodford Reserve Super Seasoned Oak, Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon headline this early Kentucky Bourbon Festival-week roundup. We also have new releases from Sagamore, Basil Hayden, Baker's, Town Branch, Chattanooga Whiskey, Shortbarrel, Proof & Wood, Jeptha Creed, Remus and many more from Luxco. Tune in for all the details!
CONTENTS
00:00:00 Introduction00:01:22 Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection No. 22: Super Seasoned Oak00:03:36 Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch00:06:38 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 202600:08:38 Sagamore 8-Year Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey00:10:12 Basil Hayden Cognac Cask Reserve00:12:53 Baker’s 1300:15:00 Town Branch Imperium MMXXVI00:16:38 Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond: Fall 2022 Vintage00:19:36 Shortbarrel Cigar Batch #400:21:26 Tumblin’ Dice 12 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon00:23:49  Jeptha Creed Solera Aged Bourbon00:26:21 Remus Repeal Reserve Series X and First-Ever Remus Rye00:28:44 Luxco Will Unveil Nine Additional Releases at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival  00:32:47 Closing
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

15 Bourbon Industry News Stories You Need to Know!Bonus Bourbon Litigation News Updates, too!
Brown-Forman, Pernod Ricard and RNDC lead this week’s 15 bourbon industry news items. In addition, Elijah Craig and Evan Williams partner with UK Athletics; Old Louisville and New Era open new facilities; Buffalo Trace goes on tour; contests from NH Liquor and Garrison Brothers; and Kentucky Bourbon Festival news from Luxco, Whiskey House and Phifer Pavitt. We've also got updates on the Uncle Nearest, Kentucky Owl, Bardstown Bourbon Company and RNDC cases. Tune in for all the details!
CONTENTS00:00:00 Intro00:02:40 Brown-Forman Financials00:06:19 Pernod Ricard Financials00:11:00 Elijah Craig and Evan Williams and UK Athletics00:16:35 American Whiskey Scholar  Certification00:21:23 Old Louisville Whiskey Co. 00:24:35 New Era Whiskey Distillery and Social Club 00:27:04 Find Your Perfect Bourbon Contest00:29:21 Garrison Brothers and Tuff Shed Backyard Bourbon Barn Sweepstakes00:30:42 Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour00:32:41 BBQ, Bourbon & Burlesque Returns to Evansville00:34:00 Volunteer for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival00:34:55 Luxco Events and Releases at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival00:37:05 Whiskey House Chalet00:39:16 Phifer Pavitt Late Night and Reserve 00:41:49 Bourbon Litigation Update00:42:15 Uncle Nearest00:47:42 Kentucky Owl00:50:30 Bardstown Bourbon Company00:59:18 RNDC01:05:18 Closing
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

21 New Bourbons and other American Whiskeys To Try!
This week we have a 19-year bourbon finished for seven years in Mizunara oak, two new Bardstown Bourbon Company whiskeys and Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2026. The packed lineup also includes new bottles from Branch & Barrel, Little & Foster, Redwood Empire, Angel's Envy, Blue Note, Four Roses, Jack Daniel's, Michter's, New Riff, Cedar Ridge, Filmland Spirits, Starlight and Dark Arts Whiskey House. Tune in to learn all about them in this week's New Bourbon Releases News!
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

14 Bourbon Industry News Stories You Need to Know!
This week’s Bourbon and Distillery News leads with the expiration of President Trump’s temporary pause of tariffs tied to Canada’s restrictions on American alcohol, Sazerac Company’s acquisition of Garrard County Distilling, and Diageo’s $1 billion cost-savings plan and workforce reduction. Additional news comes from Suntory Holdings, Circle City Whiskey Co., Whiskey House of Kentucky, KEG 1 River City, Republic National Distributing Company, New Era Distillery & Social Club, Copper & Kings, Heaven Hill Brands, and Humble Baron at Uncle Nearest. Tune in for all the details!
If you enjoy our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you would like and subscribe to it and also leave us a 5 star review. In addition, you can read and subscribe to my newsletter over on BourbonObsessed.com. There you can also find the links to the press releases or full articles for each of these news stories, as well as a whole lot more bourbon-related content.
Thanks for listening! See you next time! Cheers!🥃