Bourbon and Distillery News for August 8, 2025

Welcome back! As always, we’re here to bring you the latest distillery and bourbon news, and there is quite a bit this week! Let’s dive right in!

But First, Here’s What’s New on BourbonObsessed.com!

• Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B525 Review – Since its debut, Larceny Barrel Proof has been a polarizing whiskey with some finding it too astringent while others fully embracing the boldness offered by this often 125+ proof wheated bourbon. However, this release stands out with a much lower proof than normal at 117.4 proof, making it the second lowest proof ever in its history. Let’s find out if that lower proof helps or hurts this release! Read our full review.
• Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B525 Review – Once a highly sought after bourbon, recent releases of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof have lingered on store shelves for weeks or even months. But, with its comparatively older age statement (11 years 6 months) and higher proof (126.2 proof), does Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B525 deserve more attention? Let’s find out! Read our full review.
• Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels Review – Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Tokaji Finished Single Malt is made from rare Cooley Distillery whiskey, aged over two decades, then finished in Tokaji wine casks. With only 130 bottles available, this limited release is one to savor. Read our full review.
• Little Book Chapter 9: “None for Granted” Review – Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” blends five whiskies—bourbons and a rye aged 7 to 11 years—into a bold, layered sip. Rich caramel, sweet cherry, and hot cinnamon lead the way, followed by a dry, spicy finish with lingering dry oak, spice and warmth. Want to explore this complex, flavorful blend? Read our full review!
• Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye 2nd Edition (2025 Release) Review – The 2nd edition of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye (2025) is crafted from locally grown grain, a unique Beck’s corn hybrid, and a mash bill that sets it apart from Heaven Hill’s flagship ryes. That, along with a low barrel entry proof and barrel strength bottling (123.2 proof), contributes to a distinctive flavor profile, with more fruit, richer flavors, and vibrant cinnamon spice. What’s it like? Read our full review.

Bourbon and Distillery News For August 8, 2025

Bourbon and Distillery News

Wenzel Whiskey Opens New Covington Distillery

Wenzel Whiskey has opened a new distillery in Covington, Kentucky, in the historic Bilz Insurance building, constructed in 1916 and purchased in 2022 for $1.2 million. Founded in 2022, Wenzel began as a blending house offering public and private blending sessions and has since released award‑winning small‑batch products. The 10,000‑square‑foot building was renovated to include distilling operations, a gift shop, bar, and event space. Production capacity has increased with equipment purchased from the closed Ghost Coast Distillery in Savannah, Georgia, including a 500‑gallon Vendome pot still and cooker. Wenzel is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Northern Kentucky’s B‑Line. Read more at LINK NKY

Uncle Nearest Faces $100 Million Lawsuit from Lender

Uncle Nearest and its Nearest Green Distillery are facing a $100 million lawsuit filed by primary lender Farm Credit Mid-America on July 28, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The lender alleges default on multiple loans totaling over $108 million, including claims of inaccurate barrel inventory reports, covenant breaches, and undisclosed asset transfers. Uncle Nearest filed a response on August 3, denying the allegations and citing alleged misconduct by a former CFO. The company argues a receiver should not be appointed and says it made $9 million in repayments in 2024 and $7.5 million in 2025. This news has been reported by multiple outlets, but the source for this summary is The Spirits Business. As of Thursday, August 7, the case for placing Nearest Green Distillery in receivership was heard in Federal Court in Chattanooga, TN, with the ruling still pending. The plaintiff also asked the judge to limit what can be said about the case in a quasi-gag order, noting co-founder Fawn Weaver had taken to social media.(The Tullahoma Tennessee News)

Sazerac Sues Over Social Media Impersonation and Counterfeit Sales

Sazerac Company, parent of Buffalo Trace Distillery, filed a lawsuit on July 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against unknown defendants accused of impersonating Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley on social media to sell counterfeit bourbon. The complaint alleges the defendants operated Facebook accounts using Wheatley’s image—later changed to that of Louisville-based attorney Brian Haara—and promoted unauthorized sales of bourbon bearing Sazerac trademarks. Sazerac claims the defendants are selling counterfeit, stolen, or otherwise unauthorized whiskey and have taken steps to avoid detection. The company is seeking a court order to remove the accounts and is pursuing compensatory and punitive damages. (Full article at the Courier-Journal). According to the Lexington Herald Leader, and Larry Chaffin, who runs a private Facebook group called Bourbon Scammers, the perpetrators are likely based in Cameroon, which is reportedly a major center for online bourbon scams. Apparently they are also big on online puppy scams, too. Who knew?

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Releases “Frankfort Rising” Bourbon to Support Flood Recovery

J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery will release a limited-edition bourbon, Frankfort Rising, on August 14 to aid Franklin County residents impacted by April’s historic floods. The five-year-old, 112 proof bourbon is finished with oak staves using the distillery’s trademarked double-staved process. Priced at $120 per 750 mL, $30 from each sale will be donated to the Franklin County Community Fund, with a fundraising goal of $10,000. The release will be celebrated with an event at the distillery from 4–6 p.m. featuring complimentary snacks and tastings for guests 21+. Read the full article for more details.

Copper & Kings Acquired by Bourdon Spirits Company

Bourdon Spirits Company, a family-owned Louisville-based spirits company, has acquired Copper & Kings American Brandy Company from Constellation Brands. The acquisition keeps production at Copper & Kings’ Louisville distillery, a destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, with plans to expand national distribution and enhance the visitor experience while preserving the brand’s creative identity. Founder Rob Bourdon emphasized the goal of honoring Copper & Kings’ legacy while growing its reach. The transaction officially closed on August 5, 2025. Read more here.

Lofted Custom Spirits Launches Alternating Proprietorship Program

Lofted Custom Spirits has launched a new Alternating Proprietorship Program to help brand partners unlock Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) tax breaks. Using their own DSP license and Lofted’s new processing facility, clients can now save an average of $6 per proof gallon on up to 100,000 proof gallons annually. CEO Mark Erwin emphasized that the program was built in close coordination with the TTB to ensure full compliance. The offering is available now for existing and new clients. Read more here.

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Jackson Purchase Distillery Elevated to Heritage Member Status by KDA

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has advanced Jackson Purchase Distillery to Heritage Member status, making it the 17th distilling company to reach the KDA’s highest membership tier. Founded in 2021, the Hickman, KY based distillery recently filled its 100,000th barrel and now ages more than 50,000 barrels per year. Jackson Purchase provides contract distilling services and sells new-fill barrels to craft brands and other buyers, contributing to the continued growth of Kentucky’s $9 billion spirits industry. jacksonpurchasedistillery.com | kybourbon.com | kybourbontrail.com

2026 National Bourbon Week Dates Announced

National Bourbon Week™ will return to Bardstown, Kentucky, June 14–21, 2026, for its third annual celebration. The weeklong event will feature rare pours, distillery-hosted dinners, limited-edition releases, educational experiences, and the 23rd Annual Bourbon City Street Concert. Organized by the Bourbon Capital Alliance in collaboration with Bardstown’s distilleries, merchants, and hospitality partners, the celebration builds on the success of the 2025 gathering, which included 38 activities, special bottle releases, and raising funds for local causes. nationalbourbonweek.com — Read more here

Kentucky Bourbon Festival Announces 2026 Dates and Celebrates 35 Years

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced that next year’s event will take place September 10–13, 2026, in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World. The 2026 festival will mark the event’s 35th anniversary and will once again bring bourbon enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate during National Bourbon Heritage Month. All tickets to the 2025 festival sold out, marking the fourth consecutive sellout since the festival was revamped in 2021. With 85% of ticketed guests visiting from outside Kentucky, the event continues to serve as an important tourism and economic engine for the entire region. An on-sale date for 2026 tickets will be announced in the future. Subscribers to the KBF e-newsletter receive advance notice of ticket sales, special events, and other news. For more information, visit kybourbonfestival.com

Sagamore Spirit Named Preferred Whiskey Sponsor of 2025 BMW Championship in Maryland

Sagamore Spirit will serve as a sponsor and the preferred whiskey provider of the 2025 BMW Championship, taking place August 12–17 at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. The tournament will feature the top 50 players in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup standings and support the Evans Scholars Foundation. During the tournament, Sagamore Spirit will offer its rye whiskey expressions in key hospitality and concession areas. The signature cocktail, the Sagamore TEE TIME, will be served at select venues. Sagamore will also have naming rights to the “Caves Club featuring Sagamore Spirit,” a premium skybox overlooking the 16th and 18th greens with branded décor and immersive design elements. sagamorespirit.com | bmwchampionship.com

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2nd Quarter Financials For Three Major Spirits Companies

Here is the bird’s eye view of these financial reports. For more details, follow the links.

In the first half of 2025, Campari Group reported net sales of €1.528 billion, up 0.3% (0.1% organic), while adjusted net profit declined 8.7% to €215.5 million. Wild Turkey & Russell’s Reserve showed a reduction of -8.1% due to a soft trend for Wild Turkey in its core United States market. More Details

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, Diageo saw net sales of $20.245 billion (–0.1%), with operating profit down 27.8% to $4.335 billion (down 27.8%). The brand is focused on its high growth opportunities which are Don Julio, Guiness and Johnnie Walker and high sales of Crown Blackberry. More Details

MGP Ingredients, in Q2 2025, posted net sales of $145.5 million (–24%) and net income of $14.4 million (–55%). Their Distilling Solutions segment sales declined precipitously, with sales decreasing by 46%. However, for their branded spirits segment they saw an increase in their premium plus portfolio, led by Penelope. On the other end of the spectrum, their mid and value tier sales declined by 15%. More Details

Bourbon and Distillery News For August 8, 2025

Upcoming Bourbon (and other whiskey) Events 🥃

All events take place between August and October in Kentucky or nearby.

• 2025 Southern Food & Whiskey Experience – Franklin, TN – August 9, 2025 – More Info
• Watch Hill Proper American Whiskey Festival – Louisville, KY – August 16, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon Women SIPosium – Louisville, KY – August 14–17, 2025 – More Info
• 12th Annual Bourbon Mixer – KenTIKI Bourbon Bash – Louisville, KY – August 23, 2025 – More Info
• KBI Distillery Dinner Series at the Kentucky Castle – Versaillers, KY – August 26, 2025 – featuring Lux Row Distillers – More Info
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sold Out) – Bardstown, KY – September 5–7, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon Bonanza Benefit – Louisville, KY – September 6, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon & Beyond – Louisville, KY – September 11–14, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon on the Banks – Frankfort, KY – October 4, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon & Belonging “Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week” – Northern Kentucky, Louisville, Lexington, and Paducah, KY – October 3–5, 2025 – More Info
• Nashville Whiskey Festival & Battle of the Spirits – Nashville, TN – October 9–12, 2025 – More Info

Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Speaking of events, if you don’t have a ticket to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival but want to go, there’s still a way! If you volunteer to help at the festival, you get a General Admission ticket and can attend the festival on the days that you aren’t working. There are a few spots left, so if you are interested, send an email to volunteers@kybourbonfestival.com.

On another note, if you are ticketed and heading to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, there is still the opportunity to purchase tickets to add-on premium events. Current ticket holders can buy their tickets by visiting this link and selecting the blue “Premium Events” box. You will be prompted to enter an access code which will be your Order ID number, located on your confirmation email from your admission ticket purchase. Alternatively, you can log into your Tixr account or click on the link from the confirmation email you received when you purchased your tickets.

New Releases

New Releases will be covered in detail in our next Bourbon Releases News newsletter. Here’s the link to our most recent New Bourbon Releases News, in case you missed it.

Bourbon and Distillery News For August 8, 2025

Well, that’s it! I hope you have enjoyed this week’s Bourbon and Distillery News! If you would like our newsletters delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up here. As usual, our New Bourbon Releases News will be published next Friday. If you enjoy our content, I would greatly appreciate if you would follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I hope you have a great weekend! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

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