Bourbon Pursuit

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Latest Episodes:

589 - Pappy Raised Prices Anyway and Is Allocation Leaving Retail? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #124 Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Van Winkle announced the 2026 collection on September 11 with price increases. This lands in a year of a 16-million-barrel glut, craft sales down a third straight year, a distributor in liquidation, and a softening mid-tier secondary. Back on BCR #42 in 2020 this panel specifically praised Sazerac for not pricing Pappy at what the market would bear. Six years later they moved the number up in a down market. Was the restraint we praised always temporary? Look at October’s release calendar. Woodford’s 30th anniversary bundle is distillery-only at $225. New Riff’s six-year wheated went to whiskey club members with distillery pickup only. Pursuit’s own XS Double Oak to P. Club members before anyone else. Is thi the beginning of a much larger shift where allocation migrating out of retail?
Show Notes:

What does the Van Winkle price increase mean for demand
Has Pappy’s appeal changed among bourbon enthusiasts
Who benefits more from the Van Winkle–Sazerac partnership
Could Pappy be released through the Buffalo Trace gift shop
Are limited releases shifting from retailers to distilleries and clubs
How can brands balance direct sales with retail distribution
Could regional and online releases provide other ways to reach buyers

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Whiskey Quickie: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2026 Is a Home Run?! Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2026 brings 14 to 23 year barrels together for a rich, balanced pour. Toasted vanilla, leather, cinnamon rolls, gooey frosting, and that classic sweet oak finish made this one stand out.
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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TWiB: Ummmm; Wes Henderson, Uncle Nearest potential asset sale, Pursuit Releases XS Double Oak. Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

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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588 - Everyone Wants to Pick A Shortbarrel with Clinton Dugan and Manny Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

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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Whiskey Quickie: Parker’s Heritage Is BACK!! Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

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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587 - Glass Design Meets Actual Production with Andrés Hernandez of Fusion Glass and Chad Micheal of Chad Michael Studio Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

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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Whiskey Quickie: Bardstown Discovery Tastes Like Fall?! Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

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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TWiB: Scotland is experiencing a whiskey glut, Brown Forman announced the 2026 King of Kentucky, Lost Lantern 2026 George Dickel Collection Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for October 2nd, 2026. Scotland is experiencing a whiskey glut, Brown Forman announced the 2026 King of Kentucky, and Lost Lantern is preparing to launch its highly anticipated Fall 2026 George Dickel Collection.
Show Notes:

Bourbon Mixer reaches $1 million raised for Coalition for the Homeless
Scottish distilleries pause production amid massive Scotch supply surplus
US enforces import ban on Canadian alcohol as trade tensions escalate
Copper & Kings relaunches interactive Bottle Your Own distillery experience
Brown-Forman announces 2026 release of 14-year King of Kentucky Single Barrel
Lost Lantern prepares Fall 2026 launch of rare George Dickel Collection

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586 - Living In A Post Distillation World with Monica Wolf of The Blending House Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

The first time we had our guest on the show, we barely scratched the surface of what she has going on with the industry. It was more of a moment to remember her dad, Richard Wolf, and his impact on the industry. But now Monica is back and with a new last name of Wolf-Brown. We talk about some personal milestones before diving into how she built The Blending House in Shelby County. Monica about the state-of-the-art facility featuring a massive blending floor, seven custom rickhouses, and complete turnkey logistics for growing brands. Monica shares her take on how American whiskey's view of blending compares to scotch, wine, and coffee which leads into her latest Shang project. A cross-cultural collaboration with Whiskey House and True Essence that combines Chinese baijiu with American sorghum whiskey aged in oak.
Show Notes:

Monica Wolf-Brown returns to share updates on family life, motherhood, and how her father's legacy continues to shape her career in the bourbon industry.
Monica details the origin of The Blending House in Shelby County, built to solve storage, blending, and bottling challenges for independent brands.
The episode explores the facility's single-species yellow pine rickhouse engineering and its versatile bottling line designed for various bottle formats.
Monica breaks down her blending partnerships with clients like E.J. Curley and Jack Rose while comparing American blending traditions to scotch, wine, and coffee.
The conversation covers the Shang project, an innovative collaboration with Whiskey House and True Essence Foods blending Chinese baijiu and American sorghum whiskey.

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Whiskey Quickie: New Riff Goes Full Smoke?! Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

New Riff’s 2026 Kentucky Single Malt takes a sharp turn from bourbon with smoky, peaty, Scotch-like notes, charcoal, chocolate sweetness, and a finish that may speak more to malt fans than bourbon drinkers.
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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