Bourbon and Distillery News for July 11, 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!

Ray Marcano has reviewed three whiskeys from Proof and Wood Ventures:

• Roulette Rye Whiskey Review – Roulette Rye from Proof and Wood is a 95/5 MGP rye blend offering sweet cherry, peppery spice, and subtle ginger notes—all for just $30. Its approachable flavor and smooth character make it a great option for both dedicated rye fans and those just starting to explore the category. Read Ray’s full Roulette Rye review to see why this value pour might be worth a spot on your shelf!
• Tumblin’ Dice Bourbon Review – Tumblin’ Dice Bourbon, a 100-proof small batch bourbon from Proof and Wood, blends about 20 barrels of MGP bourbon into a well-balanced pour. At just $35, it’s an easy-drinking whiskey with enough character to satisfy both everyday bourbon fans and high-proof enthusiasts. Read Ray’s full Tumblin’ Dice Bourbon review to learn more about this satisfying value pour.
• Deadwood Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review – Deadwood Bourbon is a light, flavorful sipper from Proof and Wood. At just 81 proof and around $25, it overdelivers for the price. With notes of sweet caramel, oak, vanilla, and a surprising viscosity, this “American Table Whiskey” is an easy pick for casual pours and a great option for those seeking a lower-proof bourbon with real character. Read Ray’s full Deadwood Bourbon review to learn more!

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 11, 2025

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Bourbon and Distillery News

Jackie Zykan Moves On from Hidden Barn Bourbon

Jackie Zykan and Royce Neeley have announced Jackie is stepping away from Hidden Barn Bourbon, and Neeley Family Distillery will continue production of the brand. Zykan created Hidden Barn Bourbon in 2022, in partnership with Royce Neeley and Nate Winegar, and served as its Master Blender. Zykan will stay involved with the Neeley Family Distillery by supplying some of its herbs used in its award-winning absinthe via her new agricultural venture. Meanwhile, Hidden Barn Bourbon is continuing to grow, moving into its 20th state for distribution. Read the full press release

Whiskey House of Kentucky Announces Amendment to Credit Agreement to Support Continued Growth and Services

Whiskey House of Kentucky has amended its $115 million syndicated credit agreement to provide additional capital and increase flexibility in accessing new sources of funding to support the company’s growth. The capital will be used to enhance value-added services for customers, including storage and aging, and to provide greater flexibility to meet customer needs. All other key terms of the agreement, including pricing and amortization, remain unchanged. Read the full press release

Gen Z Re-engages with Alcohol as Participation Rates Rise Sharply

Despite recent narratives suggesting Gen Z is abandoning alcohol, new research from the IWSR shows that legal drinking age Gen Z consumers (generally those born between 1997 and 2012) are increasingly engaging with alcohol again. According to IWSR’s Bevtrac survey, the percentage of Gen Z consumers who reported drinking alcohol in the past six months rose globally from 66% in April 2023 to 73% in March 2025. In the U.S., participation climbed from 46% to 70%, with similar gains in the UK (66% to 76%), India (60% to 70%), and Australia (61% to 83%).

This cohort also shows greater interest in exploring different drink categories, particularly spirits, and is more likely than older generations to return to consumption in bars and restaurants. While the broader alcohol market faces pressure from economic constraints and increased moderation, Gen Z’s renewed involvement may signal shifting trends. Read more from the IWSR, and Newsweek and at VinePair.

J. Mattingly 1845 to Acquire Founder Jeff Mattingly’s Ownership Stake

J. Mattingly 1845 is purchasing the equity ownership of its founder, Jeff Mattingly, leaving 100% of the company’s ownership with an investment entity controlled by Andrew Varga and Carl Cordova of Gold Corn & Co. Cameron Mattingly, Jeff’s son and Vice President of Production, will remain in his role overseeing bourbon making, blending, double staving™, and custom bottling. All other employees will remain in their current roles. Read the full press release

Brendan Coyle Departs High West to Launch Dendric Estate Cider Company

Brendan Coyle, who played a pivotal role in transforming High West Distillery from a blender of sourced whiskey into a respected producer of its own distillate, has officially left the company to focus on his new venture, Dendric Estate—a cider company he co-founded with his wife in Kamas, Utah. At High West, Coyle oversaw the transition to in-house distilling (still often blended with sourced whiskey), the 2015 opening of its Wanship facility, and the launch of High West’s first fully self-distilled whiskey, High Country American single malt. Now stepping away to concentrate fully on Dendric, which will release its first cider in July, Coyle leaves High West in the hands of director of distilling Isaac Winter and director of sensory and new product development Tara Lindley. Source: Whiskey Advocate.

High West Distillery and Luke Grimes Unite for Conservation

High West Distillery has partnered with actor and musician Luke Grimes, a passionate outdoorsman and whiskey enthusiast, to advance its Protect the West initiative, aimed at preserving the landscapes and natural beauty of the American West. Grimes joins as a brand ambassador to help raise awareness for the program, which has donated over $1 million to nonprofits focused on land preservation and environmental stewardship. The partnership launched on June 20, 2025, with a summer solstice sweepstakes offering fans a chance to win a trip to Park City, Utah. The sweepstakes runs through July 25. Visit rules.dja.com/protectthewest for entry details and official rules. Source: Bourbon Lens.

Heaven Hill Brands Unveils Refreshed Corporate Brand and Opens New Louisville Office

Heaven Hill Brands has unveiled its refreshed corporate brand and officially opened its new 48,000-square-foot corporate office at 815 N. Whittington Parkway in Louisville, Kentucky. The ribbon cutting was attended by company leadership, employees, and Mayor Craig Greenberg. The updated identity, centered on the new tagline “Thriving Together,” is now live across company channels, including the relaunched heavenhill.com. The new space unites Heaven Hill’s Louisville teams under one roof and features over 150 workspaces, a two-story café, flexible gathering areas, a New Product Development zone, and Max’s Place—a tasting bar named for Executive Chairman Max Shapira. Heaven Hill was also named a U.S. Best Managed Company for the second year by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Source: Heaven Hill Brands.

New Riff and LifeSciKY Partner for Single Barrel Bourbon Supporting Kentucky Innovation

LifeSciKY, a Covington-based nonprofit lab incubator, has teamed up with New Riff Distilling to release a 4-year-old barrel proof New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon celebrating Kentucky’s scientific legacy. The limited release supports LifeSciKY’s mission of providing affordable lab space and equipment to early-stage biotech companies. Each $100 bottle helps fund a new lab bench at their upcoming 15,000-square-foot facility in the OneNKY Center. Pre-orders are open through July 18 at newriffworks.com/products/new-riff-single-barrel-bourbon-lifesciky with bottle pickup beginning September 12. Read the full article at nyktribune.com.

Maker’s Mark and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Launch Championship Bourbon for Wildfire Relief and Fans

Maker’s Mark and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) have partnered to release Maker’s Mark Champion Selection × Los Angeles Dodgers, a Private Selection bourbon commemorating the team’s 2024 World Series win. The first barrel—approximately 275 bottles—has been donated by Maker’s Mark to LADF for charitable auctions and events supporting wildfire relief and recovery in Los Angeles. Fans can obtain bottles by either donating $500 or more to LADF during home games at the LADF Homebase Store (while supplies last) or by participating in an online auction at MLB.com from June 25 to July 7, 2025. The bourbon is also available at select retailers across Greater Los Angeles. Bottled at 112.1 proof, each bottle is priced at a suggested retail of $74.99. Read the press release here.

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Upcoming Bourbon (and other whiskey) Events

• 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
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sold Out) – Bardstown, KY – September 5-7, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon & Beyond – Louisville, KY – September 11-14, 2025 – More Info
• Bourbon On The Banks – Frankfort, KY – October 4, 2025 – More Info
• Nashville Whiskey Festival & Battle of the Spirits – Nashville, TN, – October 9-12, 2025 – More Info

Bourbon Obsessed merchandise is perfect for any occasion! Head to our store to shop for hats, t-shirts, Glencairns and more!

New Releases

New Releases will be covered in detail in our next Bourbon Releases News newsletter. We already have 18 on the list, so expect quite a long newsletter next week! I won’t list them all here, but we’ve got ones from EH Taylor (Buffalo Trace), Wheelhorse, Uncle Nearest, Kentucky Owl, Booker’s, Rabbit Hole, Copper and Cask, and many more. Here’s the link to our last Bourbon Releases News, in case you missed it.

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 11, 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. Our New Bourbon Releases News will be published next Friday. Also, 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!