Bourbon and Distillery News For February 20, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Bourbon Obsessed Bourbon and Distillery News! It’s been a busy week in the bourbon world. Alongside our usual news coverage, Dean — our podcast co-host and resident bankruptcy attorney — dives into the latest bourbon litigation developments.

Contents: Kentucky House Bill 612 Hotaling Distillery Closure Illinois HB4333 Constellation CEO World Whiskies Awards Onyx & Amber Bourbon Litigation News Uncle Nearest Luca Mariano Garrard County Stoli America Sanders v Bardstown Bourbon Co

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

• Burnt Tavern Bourbon is a 7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in toasted and charred secondary barrels. At 105 proof, does it stand out? Read Ray Marcano’s full review to find out!
• Jeptha Creed Red, White & Blue Bourbon (Batch 4) Jeptha Creed, one of just a few women-owned and operated distilleries, is well known for their use of the heirloom corn varietals they grow on their property. Often, the use of these corns and grains can lead to a somewhat different taste profile. How do they affect this release from Jeptha Creed? Read Craig and Cynthia’s review to find out!
• Middle West Spirits Michelone Reserve Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon uses both rye and wheat in its mash bill, a somewhat unique combination. In addition, the rye they use is dark pumpernickel rye, a seldom-used grain in whiskey production. How well does it work? Read Craig and Cynthia’s review to find out!
• H.K. Young Toasted Small Batch Bourbon – H.K. Young finishes all of their bourbons in unique toasted barrels. For this bourbon, their only non-barrel proof expression, they begin with 6–7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon and then finish it in 3 different custom toasted barrels. So, what’s it like? Watch our short YouTube review to find out!
• Blind Barrels Sent Me a Box — Here’s What Happened! I really enjoyed trying out this box from Blind Barrels. It contained four samples, which I tasted, as the name implies, blinded to the identity of the whiskey, its type and the distillery of origin. See what it’s all about in this short YouTube video!

Bourbon and Distillery News For February 20, 2026

OK, let’s get on with the news!

Bourbon and Distillery News

Kentucky House Bill 612 Restructures Alcohol Taxes Beginning July 1, 2027

Kentucky House Bill 612, which was recently introduced in the General Assembly and has not yet become law, would significantly restructure how beverage alcohol is taxed in the Commonwealth beginning July 1, 2027. As currently written, the bill sunsets several existing alcohol taxes, including the state’s excise taxes on distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, the per-case distilled spirits tax, and the wholesale sales tax on alcoholic beverages. In their place, the bill creates two new statewide charges: a 4% state retail regulatory license fee on gross receipts from alcoholic beverage sales to Kentucky consumers, and a state wholesale regulatory license fee of $0.004 per milliliter of alcohol contained in each product. Both new fees would take effect July 1, 2027, if enacted.

The bill also repeals and reenacts KRS 243.075, which governs local alcohol “sin” taxes, placing caps on existing rates, limiting new ones, and adding state oversight and audit requirements for cities and counties that impose them. While the tax restructuring is one of the most significant components for the beverage alcohol industry, HB 612 also includes numerous additional provisions unrelated to alcohol taxation, including definitional changes, licensing updates, regulatory revisions affecting other intoxicating products, and new allowances such as permitting leashed dogs in certain licensed establishments.

Editor’s Note: What does this mean for consumers? Much of the media coverage has focused only on the new 4% retail regulatory license fee on alcoholic beverages. However, this bill substantially rewrites Kentucky’s alcohol tax structure. As currently drafted, the proposal shifts part of the tax burden away from distillers and toward consumers.

In theory, if distillers reduced bottle prices to reflect their lower tax liability, the overall impact could be neutral. In practice, however, price reductions are far less certain, meaning consumers could ultimately pay more. The stated goal of the bill appears to be maintaining Kentucky’s tax revenue while providing relief to distillers during a challenging period. That may benefit the industry — but it is reasonable to ask whether consumers should bear the increased cost.

Hotaling & Co. to Close San Francisco Distillery at Pier 50

Hotaling & Co., the maker of Junipero Gin and Old Potrero Whiskey, will be closing its distillery located at Pier 50 in San Francisco at the end of the month. Hotaling confirmed that the entire distilling team was laid off, but declined to specify the number of employees affected. Head distiller Kevin Aslan wrote on Instagram on Feb. 16 that he will no longer be part of Junipero, Old Potrero, or Hirsch after 2/27/26. The closure means Hotaling “is no longer in the distilling business.” Old Potrero is currently distilled and aged by Corning & Co. under contract, and Hotaling is looking for a new distilling partner to produce Junipero. Hotaling also said it has sufficient bulk and bottled inventory in place and will continue working with trusted Bay Area production partners to ensure availability, and that it will remain headquartered in San Francisco. Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Editor’s Note: What the article didn’t expand on is that Hotaling’s “headquarters” on 550 Montgomery Street is both offices and their production blending and bottling facility. So, while they won’t distill, they will still blend and bottle products such as Hirsch at that facility. They will also continue to import other brands including Writers’ Tears, Luxardo, Nikka, Kavalan and many others. So, this news is not dire; it is just an adjustment. For those who are not familiar with the company, Hotaling & Co. is the rebranding and successor to Anchor Distilling following the separation of Anchor Distilling from Anchor Brewing when the brewery was purchased by Sapporo in 2017.

Illinois Considers Lowering DUI Limit to 0.05

Illinois HB4333, as introduced, would lower the BAC threshold at which it is presumed a person was under the influence of alcohol from 0.08 to 0.05 while driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle, and it makes conforming changes affecting enforcement in related areas including snowmobiles and boats. The bill was filed on 1/7/2026 and is currently in the House, with the last action on 2/11/2026 assigning it to the Judiciary – Criminal Committee. HB4333 Status

Editor’s Note: This proposal comes on the heels of a similar bill that recently passed the Washington State Senate (as we reported in our February 6 Newsletter) and would make Illinois one of the first states (after Utah and potentially Washington) to adopt a 0.05 BAC standard if enacted.

Constellation Brands Announces CEO Succession Plan

Constellation Brands announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Nicholas Fink as the company’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 13, 2026. Fink, who has served on the company’s Board since 2021, will succeed current President and CEO Bill Newlands, who will step down on April 13, 2026, and remain as a strategic advisor for several months to support the leadership transition. Newlands, who joined the company in 2015 and has served as President and CEO since 2019, will also retire from the Board effective April 13, 2026. Fink currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fortune Brands Innovations and previously held senior leadership roles at Suntory Global Spirits. Source: Constellation Brands

Editor’s Note: Constellation Brands owns several American whiskey brands, including High West Whiskey and Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, as part of its Wine & Spirits portfolio.

World Whiskies Awards America 2026 & Icons of Whisky America

The winners of the World Whiskies Awards America and Icons of Whisky America were announced at a ceremony at Louisville’s historic Brown Hotel on February 12, 2026. According to the competition website, the World Drinks Awards, of which the World Whiskey Awards are a part, are presented by TheDrinksReport.com. Interestingly, that URL redirects to Paragraph Publishing’s home page (www.paragraph.co.uk), the parent company behind the awards program.

“Paragraph is an international publishing and events company. Founded in 1997, Paragraph has numerous well-known and popular magazines, publications, awards and websites, as well as the Paragraph Partnership offering its services to clients throughout the world,” according to their website. The company publishes Whisky Magazine, American Whiskey Magazine and various annuals, guides and handbooks covering bourbon, Scotch, single malt and other spirits, as well as beer. While the winners list is public, the judging criteria and number of entrants in each category are not disclosed.

Following this announcement, winners from the America, Scotland and Rest of World rounds will advance to compete for the World Whiskies Awards 2026 global titles, which will be announced at the World Whiskies Awards 2026 Global Dinner in March.

Here is a list of some of the America round winners in major categories. For the full list, visit the World Drinks Awards.

• Hall of Fame Inductees: Donna Nally (Maker’s Mark) and Campbell Brown (Brown‑Forman).
• Icons – Distiller of the Year: Heaven Hill Brands.
• Icons – Visitor Attraction of the Year: The Whiskey Sanctuary at Laws Whiskey House.
• Icons – Master Distiller/Blender of the Year: Chris Fletcher (Jack Daniel’s).
• Icons – Craft Distiller/Blender of the Year: Owen Martin (Angel’s Envy).
• Icons – Visitor Attraction Team of the Year: Kentucky Peerless Retail Team.
• Icons – Visitor Attraction Manager of the Year: Deanna Horn (Bardstown Bourbon Co.).
• Icons – Independent Bottler of the Year: Lost Lantern Spirits.
• Icons – PR Team of the Year: Heaven Hill Brands PR Team.
• Icons – Communicator of the Year: Amy Preske (Booze PR).
• World’s Best Bourbon (Kentucky): New Riff Bottled‑in‑Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
• World’s Best Bourbon (Non‑Kentucky): 15 Stars Artisan Collection.
• World’s Best Finished Bourbon (Kentucky): Maker’s Mark 46.
• World’s Best Finished Bourbon (Non‑Kentucky): Redemption Cognac Cask Finish.
• World’s Best Small‑Batch Bourbon (Kentucky): EH Taylor Small Batch.
• World’s Best Small‑Batch Bourbon (Non‑Kentucky): Wyoming Whiskey Buffalo Bill Cody.
• World’s Best Tennessee Whiskey: Jack Daniel’s 14 Years Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 1.
• Best American Corn: Ironroot Republic Hubris.
• Best American Rye Whiskey: Elijah Craig Toasted Rye.
• Best American Wheat: Star Hill Farm Wheat Whisky.

Editor’s Note: We certainly send our congratulations to all of the winners! However, it is worth remembering that despite its name, this competition—like every competition—chooses winners only from its pool of paid entrants. So, while competitions often use the phrase “World’s Best,” a more accurate wording would be “Best in Show.”

Onyx & Amber to Open At The Tartan House in Louisville

Onyx & Amber, a Denver-based whiskey company launched in April 2025, is planning to open a location in the back house of The Tartan House in Louisville.

Onyx & Amber sources whiskeys that are at least three years old from distilleries including Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill, and MGP, then ages them further in non-temperature-controlled warehouses in Denver for periods ranging from three months to six years. Founder and President Benjamin Rosen has said he believes Denver’s barometric pressure swings may contribute additional flavor development to the whiskeys during aging, and thus help set them apart from the pack.

In addition to its traditional offerings of a barrel selection and tasting experience at their new Louisville location, Onyx & Amber will also have a custom blending series, where a small group can come in and blend their own special concoction and have it bottled and personalized. This experience requires the purchase of a minimum of 72 bottles. The company will also offer a blending class, where guests will get into the minutia of blending and walk away with a keepsake bottle of whiskey they custom blended. Source: Courier Journal

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Dean’s Bourbon Litigation News

This week we have a new section focusing on many of bourbon’s current legal cases, brought to you by my Bourbon Obsessed Podcast co-host, and esteemed bankruptcy attorney, Dean!

Welcome To The First Edition

This first edition of Bourbon Litigation News rounds up some of the most active court fights and restructurings involving whiskey and spirits brands as of February 17, 2026.

Uncle Nearest – Receivership Still Frozen in Place

We have covered the Uncle Nearest news in depth in our podcasts, such as during our February 9 podcast. Check it out on your favorite podcast provider, YouTube, or on our podcast home page!

In the Uncle Nearest case in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee (Case No. 4:25-cv-0038, Judge Charles Atchley Jr.), the fight right now is over whether the receivership continues and who is pulled into it. On February 9, 2026, the court heard motions by the Weavers and Grant Sidney, Inc. to end the receivership, and a competing motion by the Receiver to rope additional entities into the case.

The next key dates are briefing deadlines, not hearings. The court’s February 10 order gives everyone until February 26 to file supplemental briefs and exhibits, and until March 5 to respond to those briefs. Until the judge rules on those motions, the receivership stays in place exactly “as-is.” There had been no more substantive filings as of February 17.

If you are interested in reading an in-depth account of the Uncle Nearest saga, head over to thebourbonandryeclub.com.

Luca Mariano & LMD Holdings – Bankruptcy, Sale, and a Barrel Dispute

Luca Mariano (the distillery) and LMD Holdings (the real estate) are in Chapter 11 in the Eastern District of Michigan before Judge Paul R. Hage (Case No. 25-47214), and the immediate story is a potential sale of the business. A Bid Procedures Order entered on January 14, 2026 set a bid deadline of February 27; if there is more than one qualified bid, an auction will be held March 2, with a sale-approval hearing scheduled for March 10. No stalking-horse* bidder was designated by the February 9 deadline.

Layered on top of the sale is a fresh adversary complaint: on January 28, Luca Mariano sued Gainesville Cooperage, LLC, alleging it wired a deposit of $210,000 for barrels that were never delivered and that requests for repayment went unanswered. On February 12, the court approved a stipulation giving the debtors until March 12, 2026—two days after the sale hearing—to file a proposed Chapter 11 plan.

*Editor’s Note: I had no idea what a “stalking horse bidder” was, so I sought help from Wikipedia. Here’s what they said: “A stalking horse bid is an initial bid on the assets of a bankrupt company. The bankrupt company will choose an entity from a pool of bidders who will make the first bid on the firm’s remaining assets. The stalking horse sets the low-end bidding bar so that other bidders can’t underbid the purchase price.“

Garrard County Distilling – Receivership and Search for a Buyer

In Garrard Circuit Court in Lancaster, Kentucky (Case No. 25-CI-00097), the Garrard County Distilling receivership is behaving more like a slow burn than a courtroom drama. On January 16, 2026, the receiver filed an accounting through October 31, 2025, reporting roughly $475,000 of income from storage fees and about $1.277 million of funding from Truist.

The largest costs so far: insurance at about $430,000, wages around $350,000, property taxes roughly $354,000, and receiver fees of about $320,000. The docket does not show other major actions, but the word is that the receiver is actively looking for potential buyers for the operation.

Editor’s Note: I know nothing about how the receiver process works, but I didn’t realize the scale of compensation involved in receivership proceedings. We’ll discuss this more on our next podcast. Tune in on Monday February 23!

Stoli Group USA / Kentucky Owl – Trustees Coming, But Not Yet

Over in the Northern District of Texas (Case No. 24-80146), the Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl Chapter 11 cases have crossed an important threshold: on February 5, 2026, the court entered an order directing that a Chapter 11 trustee be appointed for each company. As of February 17, however, no actual order appointing specific trustees had hit the docket.

On the money front, the court has already approved significant professional fees: on February 4, the judge signed off on $1,657,447 in legal fees and $58,743 in expenses for the debtors’ counsel for the period from August 1 through November 30, 2025.

Latest updates: On 2/18/2026 William R. Patterson was appointed as the Chapter 11 Trustee for Stoli Group USA. The United States Trustee also filed an appeal of the bankruptcy court’s order to appoint Chapter 11 trustees and the order approving a final budget in the cases on 2/18/2026. This should not directly impact the trustee’s efforts to liquidate Stoli assets, but it may make him more cautious.

Sanders v. Bardstown Bourbon Co. – Employment and Culture Claims

In Nelson County Circuit Court (Case No. 26-CI-00105), former Bardstown Bourbon Company Vice President of Human Resources Sylvia Sanders has filed a verified complaint against Bardstown Bourbon Co., Pritzker Private Capital, and executives Mark W. Erwin, Peter Marino, and Christian Brickman. Sanders served as VP of HR from 2019 through May 2024, and by “verified,” the complaint means she signed it like an affidavit, swearing the allegations are true to the best of her knowledge.

The claims are all under Kentucky law, not federal law, which matters because it affects the defendants’ ability to move the case into federal court. Sanders asserts gender discrimination, hostile work environment, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, retaliation, breach of contract, fraud, defamation, and interference with a contract. The factual allegations reach beyond her own situation and include claims of employees—including underage employees—being under the influence at work, failures to maintain safety records, possible wage and hour issues, and violations of alcohol-beverage and distillery regulations.

One notable allegation from her eight-page, single-spaced “report” is that she reported a Bardstown Bourbon Company executive for drunk driving that allegedly resulted in a hit-and-run in the company’s parking lot in 2020. Sanders says she raised concerns with CEO Mark Erwin and that he failed to act. The complaint also references alleged discrimination against other employees based on age, sex, and race, though Sanders would not have standing to assert those as standalone claims unless they are used as part of a hostile-work-environment theory.

Open questions loom large: if safety, wage, and alcohol-use concerns were reported to regulators or other authorities, what did those bodies do, and if they were not reported, why not? From a procedural standpoint, you can reasonably expect efforts to remove the case to federal district court in Louisville and a motion to dismiss, especially by Pritzker and Brickman and potentially by other defendants.

Sanders is represented by James and Tyler Morris of Morris & Morris in Lexington. It appears Pritzker and Brickman will be represented by Katherine Kennedy at Jackson Lewis in Cincinnati, and Bardstown Bourbon Co., Erwin, and Marino will be represented by Cynthia Effinger at McBrayer in Louisville.

Correction: Please note that the first name of the plaintiff in the Sanders v. Bardstown Bourbon Company Case was been corrected to Sylvia.

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Bourbon and Distillery News For February 20, 2026

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Well, that’s it! I hope you have enjoyed reading this week’s Bourbon and Distillery News! If you would like our newsletters delivered directly to your inbox, please sign up here. Our next New Bourbon Releases News will be published on Friday February 27. In addition, the podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday February 23. 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!🥃

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!