Bourbon and Distillery News for July 11, 2026

17 Bourbon Industry News Stories and Bourbon Litigation Updates You Need to Know

Welcome to the latest edition of Bourbon Obsessed Bourbon and Distillery News! It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the bourbon world, so we have quite a bit to talk about!

Contents:

Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame — Kentucky Bourbon Trail — Camp Buffalo Trace — Bardstown Tasting Rooms — Maker’s Mark — CANADA Act — SPIRIT Act — Goodwood — Wyoming Whiskey — Jack Daniel’s — Bourbon Litigation — Uncle Nearest — Kentucky Owl — Garrard County Distilling — Luca Mariano — Sanders / Bardstown Bourbon Company — TKC Distilling

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 11, 2026

But First, Here’s what’s new on BourbonObsessed.com!

• Milam & Greene Liberty American Whiskey Review – Milam & Greene Liberty American Whiskey was created to honor America’s 250th anniversary. It blends Texas and Kentucky distillates, aged in used Texas bourbon casks. Read my review to find out all about Milam & Greene’s first American Whiskey! Read our review.
• Building Southern Distilling: Pete Barger on Engineering, Innovation, and the Future of American Whiskey – We visited Southern Distilling Co. in Statesville, North Carolina, where co-founder Pete Barger discussed the business decisions, engineering mindset, and long-term vision that have shaped the distillery from the very beginning. Read on to learn more or listen to the podcast.
• 2025 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon Review – The 2025 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon is back with another uncut and unfiltered cask-strength release, this time bottled at a staggering 146.4 proof after 6 years of aging. Is it all heat, or is there more to this limited Texas bourbon? Read on for my full review.
• Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review By Ray Marcano – The inaugural Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition pays tribute to the legendary “Gold Foil” bourbons of decades past. Ray Marcano shares his thoughts on this 120-proof limited release and whether it lives up to the hype. Read on for his full review.
• 2026 ASCOT Awards Best Bourbons – The 2026 ASCOT Awards recognized hundreds of medal-winning bourbons, but only a select group advanced to the Best in Category finals. Here’s how the competition works, what the medals mean, and the top bourbons competing for ASCOT’s highest bourbon honors. Read my full article to learn more!

OK, let’s move on to the news!

2026 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame® will welcome its newest class of inductees this fall, “honoring influential leaders who have shaped the signature industry through innovation, leadership, advocacy, storytelling, and tourism.” The 24th class includes Shane Baker and E. Patrick Heist, Ph.D., co-founders of Ferm Solutions and Wilderness Trail Distillery; the late W.L. Lyons Brown Sr. and the late George Garvin Brown II of Brown-Forman; Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association; Fred Minnick, author, journalist, and educator; and John W. Schickel, who dedicated 50 years to public service and helped modernize Kentucky’s regulatory landscape, strengthen the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experience, support craft distilling, and expand tourism opportunities statewide. The Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed on Gregory, who has served as KDA President since 2008. This 24th Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Sept. 14 in an exclusive, private ceremony at the Marriott Louisville East in Louisville, KY. Read the full press release.

2026 Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adds Four New Destinations

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail® welcomed four new destinations on July 7, bringing the total to 74 unique experiences in 34 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The new destinations are Pursuit Spirits on Whiskey Row (Louisville), Uncle Boojie’s Distilling Co. (Louisville), Cave City Distilling Company (Cave City) (formerly Balance Distilling Co.), and Purple Toad Winery & Distillery Tasting Room (Bowling Green). Read the full press release.

Camp Buffalo Trace Debuts at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced Camp Buffalo Trace, a new immersive experience for guests 21 and older that combines bourbon education with hands-on activities and, for select participants, an overnight stay in luxury camping accommodations on the historic Distillery grounds. The program includes the Whiskey Woodcraft Workshop, Bung Driving Relay, Blind Tasting & Buffalo Trace Trivia, and the Single Barrel Challenge. Camp Buffalo Trace will be held Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, with attendance available exclusively through an online sweepstakes beginning July 14. Read the full press release for all the details and for sweepstakes information.

More Tasting Rooms Open in Downtown Bardstown

The Bard Distillery and Boundary Oak Distillery have expanded their presence to downtown Bardstown with new tasting rooms, adding to the city’s growing collection of off-site bourbon experiences. The Bard Distillery’s new tasting room is located at 212 N. Third Street inside the Bardstown Tour House and offers free tastings daily, while Boundary Oak recently opened its tasting room at 229 N. Third Street. The additions further establish downtown Bardstown as a convenient destination for visitors looking to sample and purchase Kentucky whiskey without leaving Main Street. The new tasting rooms join Chicken Cock Circa 1856 and The Old SteelHouse Distillery Tasting Room in central Bardstown.

Maker’s Mark Perfectly Unreasonable Bar Debuts in Aspen

Maker’s Mark unveiled their first Perfectly Unreasonable Bar, a one-night-only cocktail experience at the summit of Aspen Mountain, during the 2026 Food & Wine Classic. The event launched the brand’s traveling Perfectly Unreasonable Bar series, with guests enjoying handcrafted cocktails, an interactive whisky sour service and the Summit Sour, “a signature cocktail designed for elevation, featuring Maker’s Mark bourbon fat-washed with cocoa butter, blended with local strawberry, and a malted wheat and honey syrup. Served on nitro draft, the cocktail delivered a creamy, full-bodied texture in thinner mountain air, pairing altitude-driven technique with locally inspired flavor.” “Aspen marked the first stop of the Perfectly Unreasonable Bar series, with more elevated bourbon experiences coming to unexpected locations around the country.” Read the full press release.

CANADA Act Targets Canadian Restrictions on American Alcohol

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) has introduced the Combating Attacks on our National Alcoholic Drinks by Allies (CANADA) Act, legislation directing the U.S. Trade Representative to investigate Canadian provincial restrictions on American alcoholic beverages. The bill would require the investigation to begin within 30 days of enactment and calls for consultation with affected producers and industry groups. Nearly all Canadian provincial liquor boards have prohibited or restricted the importation and distribution of American alcohol.

“For too long, America’s craft distillers have been caught in the middle of a trade dispute that has nothing to do with them. We appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s leadership in bringing renewed attention to the discriminatory treatment of U.S. craft spirits in Canada and hope this legislation encourages serious negotiations that restore fair market access for American producers,” said American Craft Spirits Association CEO Emily Pennington. Source: Rep. Claudia Tenney.

SPIRIT Act Would Reward Distillers Using American Agricultural Products

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Supporting Producers Through Incentives from Rural Ingredients and Tax Relief (SPIRIT) Act, legislation that would establish a federal excise tax credit for qualifying small distillers that use domestically grown agricultural ingredients. Eligible distillers producing up to 100,000 proof gallons annually could receive a tax credit of up to $2.35 per proof gallon if at least 90% of their agricultural inputs are sourced from U.S. farmers.

American Craft Spirits Association CEO Emily Pennington said, “Craft spirits producers are among the most agriculture-dependent businesses in beverage alcohol. Every bottle represents a significant investment in American grain, specialty crops, manufacturing, tourism, and local jobs. The SPIRIT Act recognizes that connection and provides meaningful relief to small distillers during a period of economic uncertainty and rising production costs.” Source: American Craft Spirits Association.

Goodwood Brewing & Spirits Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Goodwood Brewing & Spirits has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky, bringing an end to the Louisville-based brewery and distillery. The filing follows months of financial difficulties that included the closure of multiple taprooms, lawsuits from landlords and vendors, and unpaid rent and tax obligations. Court filings estimate the company has between $1 million and $10 million in both assets and liabilities with between 100 and 199 creditors. Several former Goodwood locations have already been taken over by Doc Crow’s Social under separate ownership. Sources: WDRB, Lexington Herald-Leader

Wyoming Whiskey Returns to Wyoming Ownership

WW Partners, LLC, a Wyoming-based investment group led by Wyoming Whiskey co-founder David DeFazio, has acquired Edrington’s 80% stock holdings in Wyoming Whiskey, returning the distillery to full Wyoming ownership. Edrington invested in Wyoming Whiskey in 2018 and became its majority shareholder in 2023. The company said the acquisition marks a new chapter for Wyoming Whiskey and a recommitment to its Wyoming roots.

As part of its forward strategy, Wyoming Whiskey will return to its partnership with Nancy Fraley, who resumes her role as Master Blender after a nearly three-year hiatus. Sources: Breaking Bourbon, Fred Minnick.

Jack Daniel’s and USO “United We Toast” Campaign

Jack Daniel’s and the USO have launched a yearlong “United We Toast” partnership honoring America’s 250th anniversary. While the campaign began with a nationwide toast on the Fourth of July, the initiative continues throughout 2026 with activations at events including the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, New Orleans Fleet Week, the USO Experience in Virginia Beach, the Salute the Troops Golf Outing, and the USO Five-Star Gala in Seattle. Consumers can also participate year-round by sending a personalized message of support to active-duty service members through the USO’s Campaign to Connect, which aims to deliver more than two million handwritten and digital messages to troops worldwide. Send a message or learn more at jackdaniels.com/toast-250.

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 11, 2026

Bourbon Litigation News Update By Dean Langdon

Uncle Nearest

The court approved the sale of the Martha’s Vineyard (MV) property on June 15, and the next day ordered all defendants to file an answer to the Farm Credit complaint by July 7, along with a discovery plan by July 28.

On July 1, the Weavers moved to stay the MV sale, arguing that they intended to seek reconsideration or appeal, that a completed sale could not be undone, and that personal property was being swept into the sale without any valuation. They also argued that shareholders and unsecured creditors had not received notice, which they said raised due process concerns.

The receiver pushed back on July 6, saying the Weavers had not actually filed a motion to reconsider or taken an appeal, and that their arguments had already been rejected in earlier efforts to stop the sale. The receiver also argued that the personal property issue was waived, that the Weavers lacked standing to complain about shareholders and unsecured creditors, and that any stay should require a bond of $2.595 million.

As the Court ordered, on July 7, the receiver also filed an answer and counterclaim to the Farm Credit complaint on behalf of Uncle Nearest, Nearest Green, and Uncle Nearest RE Holdings, though not on behalf of the Weavers themselves. That filing includes serious allegations that former CFO Senzaki controlled financial reporting, concealed problems, inflated assets, falsified reports beginning in 2022, forged signatures and board minutes, and used company proceeds for personal expenses and gambling.

The counterclaim also says Farm Credit advanced loans and took fees despite not asking for basic financial documents or checking collateral the way it should have. The receiver’s theme is blunt: Farm Credit was allegedly grossly negligent and willfully blind.

The Weavers separately filed their own answer on July 7, denying or qualifying the allegations and raising defenses including unclean hands*, failure to mitigate, third-party conduct, and a claim that the case is defamatory, slanderous, unreasonable, and groundless.

Editor’s note 1: Shelbyville Now reported on 7/10/2026 that the receiver’s quarterly report stated: Among the report’s most notable operational developments is confirmation that the Receiver terminated both Fawn and Keith Weaver from their employment and involvement with the company effective June 1. The report says the Receiver has since restricted their access to company facilities and systems while returning any personal property. According to the filing, that decision has reduced confusion among employees and vendors and made day-to-day operations significantly smoother.

*Editor’s note 2: “Unclean hands” is a legal defense stating that a party asking a court for help (like an injunction or lawsuit) will be denied relief if they have acted unethically, fraudulently, or in bad faith regarding the specific matter at hand.

Kentucky Owl

Next up is Kentucky Owl, in the Stoli Group USA bankruptcy cases in the Northern District of Texas. The trustee and advisor appear to be continuing efforts to sell the inventory, while the court has set a deadline for professionals to seek fee approval.

So far, the biggest requests are substantial: Foley & Lardner has requested about $5.9 million as counsel for Kentucky Owl, and Riveron Management Services has requested about $3.8 million as financial advisor. Those requests will still be reviewed by the court, the U.S. Trustee, and the Chapter 11 trustee, and objections are possible.

Garrard County Distilling

Over in Garrard County, Tom Collins Distilling (a Sazerac-related company) acquired the Truist debt, won a judgment, and pushed the case to a Master Commissioner sale of real property, equipment, improvements, and barrel inventory. The property was appraised at about $27.98 million for sale purposes, and the auction was held on June 26.

Tom Collins was the winning bidder with a $20 million credit bid, including $19 million allocated to the real property and $1 million to everything else. No one objected after the sale report was filed, so the next step is court approval of the sale and delivery of a deed.

Luca Mariano

The Luca Mariano distillery has been in bankruptcy court in Michigan; the company tried to find buyers and have an auction, but that didn’t pan out. Instead, they filed a plan that proposed selling the distillery and surrounding property assets to Apogee 21 Holdings, or the company it created to own the assets – Samuel T. Damgoode Whiskey Company  – for $16,727,600.85, including assumption of $14,500,000 of debt owed to SummitBridge. It’s been moving slowly. The US Trustee filed an objection because the company never filed a plan supplement, which was going to explain what a plan administrator would do and confirm there was exit financing. As a result, on July 1 the company, US Trustee, Farm Credit and others agreed to continue the hearing to approve the plan until July 21. The company has filed the plan supplement which reveals that SummitBridge will loan an additional $50,000 at 15% to help wrap up the case and that Basil Simon will be the plan administrator and be paid $2,500/month. We’ll know more after the 21^st – stay tuned!

Sanders / Bardstown Bourbon Company

We previously reported that the Nelson Circuit Court denied Sanders’ motion to dismiss Bardstown Bourbon Company’s counterclaim for breach of NDA, relying on the idea that the counterclaim was not based solely on protected litigation activity. The court also declined to award attorney fees against Sanders or her lawyer, finding the statutory interpretation issue was a fair one.

Sanders filed a notice of appeal on June 5, which typically pauses further activity in the trial court. Then, on June 30, PPC Investment Partners and Christian Brickman renewed their motion to be dismissed and set a hearing for August 19.

There is also a separate defamation case, Henneman v. Sanders, in Jefferson Circuit Court. We previously reported that the court dismissed Henneman’s complaint, holding that Sanders’ statements were protected by judicial privilege and Kentucky’s anti-SLAPP law, and it awarded Sanders attorney’s fees to be determined later.

Henneman then moved to reconsider on June 22, arguing that the prior order had effectively adopted Sanders’ submission wholesale and that the court had misunderstood both the facts and the prior Nelson County ruling. Responses are due by July 12, with replies due by July 22. Sanders’ attorneys have filed a request for over $25,000 in legal fees.

TKC Distilling

As described in prior updates, in Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates v. TKC Distilling, the complaint says the parties had a consulting agreement, then a later payment agreement, but TKC still did not pay the balances owed. As of late April, the claimed amounts due were about $456,425 under the consulting agreement and $54,288 under the payment agreement.

As of July 9, no new activity had been reported.

In Luckett & Farley Architects v. Bluegrass Holdings, TKC Distilling, and TKC Hospitality Group, the dispute centers on design and architecture work for bourbon and distillery projects, including a master plan, a distillery project in Edgewood, and a Kentucky Castle masterplan. The plaintiff says more than $980,000 was invoiced by late May, with another $532,000 in services added after that, and no payments have been made since May 2024.

TKC Distilling admitted it was in default on the note, while Bluegrass Holdings and TKC Hospitality argued the later note created a novation* that wiped out the earlier design contracts. Luckett & Farley responded that the note itself said the prior agreements stayed in force, which undercuts the novation theory.

*Editor’s note: In contract law, a novation is the act of replacing an existing obligation or contract with a brand new one.

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 11, 2026

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 Saturday, July 18. In addition, the podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday, July 13. 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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