Bourbon and Distillery News for July 25, 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!

• ecozy Sphere Ice Maker Review – The ecozy Sphere Ice Maker is a countertop appliance designed to produce clear, slow-melting ice balls quickly and with minimal effort. While the unit isn’t without minor quirks—such as small fissures or dimples in the ice—it largely performs as advertised and could be a useful option for those seeking better ice quality at home. Read my in-depth review here!
• Redemption 18 Year Old Bourbon Review – Redemption 18 Year Old Bourbon is the latest addition to the brand’s Ancients Series, and it’s a rare one—with only 2,400 bottles available. This well-aged whiskey delivers mature, integrated flavors of dry oak, toffee, cherry, spice, and leather, all wrapped in a lingering, warming finish. Is it worth the hunt? Read my review to learn all about it!
• Oaklore Story Series Port Cask Finish Rye Whiskey Review – Oaklore Story Series Port Cask Finish Rye is a North Carolina-made whiskey that balances dark stone fruits and jammy notes with a dry, mildly spicy finish. Finished for up to 18 months in mature port barrels, this rye showcases how well a port cask finish can complement the spice and herbal character of a rye whiskey. Read my review to learn more!
• Green River U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Bourbon Review – This limited-edition release commemorates the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and is a small batch blend of 4- to 7-year-old barrels made from a different mash bill than Green River’s flagship offering. The bourbon offers a fruit-forward profile with evolving spice and a dry, warming finish. Read my review for all the details!
• Bardstown Bourbon Company Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Review – Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Hokkaido Mizunara Oak blends 9- to 18-year-old bourbons and finishes them for 28 months in rare Japanese oak barrels. The result is a bold, dry, and spicy pour with notes of toffee, cherry, and hot cinnamon. Curious how it compares to the first Bardstown Distillery Reserve Series release, Cathedral Oak? Read my review to find out!

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 25, 2025

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Bourbon and Distillery News

Molly Wellmann Joins Hidden Barn Whiskey as Master Taster

Molly Wellmann, acclaimed mixologist, author and former bar owner, has joined Hidden Barn Whiskey as Master Taster. Building on Master Taster Emeritus Jackie Zykan’s foundation, she brings decades of cocktail and spirits expertise to the role. As Hidden Barn expands into its 20th state, Wellmann’s historical knowledge, palate, and industry presence will play a key part in the brand’s continued growth. In her new role, Wellmann will be helping with the batching and single barrel selections of Hidden Barn Whiskey, as she builds on the tasting profile and batching style developed by Jackie Zykan. In addition, Wellmann will be interacting with visitors at the Neeley Family Distillery (the producer of Hidden Barn Whiskeys), signing bottles, tasting with fans, and maybe even jumping behind the bar. She’ll also be visiting some markets with the Neeley team as they expand, sharing her expertise and bourbon history storytelling. Read more details here.

Meridian Biotech to Open New Facility in Partnership With Buffalo Trace Distillery

Meridian Biotech has announced a new partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery to enhance global food system security by converting distillery byproducts into multifunctional alternative proteins. The company will invest $40 million to build a cutting-edge conversion facility in Franklin County, which is expected to create up to 35 high-tech, high-paying local jobs. This innovative plant will transform Buffalo Trace’s stillage into proteins for use in aquaculture, pet foods, and organic fertilizer. Construction is anticipated to begin later this year. Read more details here

I.W. Harper Unveils A Rare 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the rarest release in the brand’s 150-year history. Crafted from just four barrels laid down in 1989 at Stitzel-Weller Distillery and matured for 34 years, this ultra-limited expression was launched in collaboration with Colman Domingo, two-time Oscar-nominated actor, director and philanthropist. Only 5 bottles will be sold (out of just 11 in existence), exclusively auctioned via Sotheby’s in New York from July 24 through August 7, 2025, with proceeds donated to Native Son, a movement, community, and platform created to inspire, empower, and amplify the visibility of Black queer men. Read the full press release here.

Diageo Announces CEO Departure and Succession Plan

Diageo has announced that Debra Crew has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board Director with immediate effect, by mutual agreement. The Board has initiated a comprehensive formal search process, considering both internal and external candidates. Until a permanent appointment is made, Nik Jhangiani, Chief Financial Officer, will serve as interim CEO. Debra Crew became CEO in June 2023, after serving as a non-executive director, President of Diageo North America, and Group Chief Operating Officer. Guidance for fiscal 2025 and 2026 remains unchanged from the May 19, 2025 Q3 Trading Statement. Fiscal 2025 full-year results will be reported on August 5, 2025, as planned.

For those not familiar with Diageo, they own a number of American whiskey brands such as George Dickel, Balcones, Bulleit, Orphan Barrel and Stitzel-Weller. They also own Johnnie Walker and Guiness amongst many other worldwide brands. Diageo, like many spirits companies, has faced some headwinds this year. Read more details here.

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 25, 2025

Brothers Wright Distilling Co. Acquires Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, Bringing New Life to Pikeville’s Craft Beverage Scene

Brothers Wright Distilling Co. has acquired Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, including Pearse’s Place restaurant, tasting room, and welcome center in Pikeville, Kentucky. The 30,000+ square foot facility, formerly owned by Alltech’s Lyons Brewing & Distilling Co., will become the new primary production site for Brothers Wright, which is known for aging its bourbon in a 100-year-old underground coal mine. The new location will be expanded with a Vendome column still, and enhanced visitor experiences. Pearse’s Place will be relocated to the ground floor, and the upstairs area will be converted into a rentable venue. The brand’s Aflex site will also grow with a new coal mining museum, barrel filling and packaging lines, restaurant, and entertainment space. This acquisition not only reinforces and expands Pikeville’s role in Kentucky’s bourbon industry but also serves as a catalyst for local tourism, job creation, and cultural preservation. Read the press release here.

Bankrupt Danville Distillery Owes More Than $34.5 Million

Luca Mariano Distillery, based in Danville, Kentucky, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, revealing debts exceeding $34.5 million to its top 14 creditors. The filing by parent company LMD Holdings came just before a judge was set to consider appointing a receiver to take control of the recently opened distillery. Despite the bankruptcy, owner Francesco Viola expressed optimism, claiming the company has a successful business model and expects to emerge stronger. However, creditors including top creditor SummitBridge (aka Summit Investment)—which acquired defaulted loans originally held by Truist Bank and is owed more than $25 million—dispute Viola’s narrative and have called for a receiver to oversee the property during foreclosure proceedings. Read more details at the Herald-Leader (paywall). (Ironically, Luca Mariano Distillery very recently had their grand opening ribbon cutting on June 13, 2025.)

SIP Awards and New Orleans Spirits Competition Announce Winners

It seems like every couple of weeks we’re getting another list of “best bourbons” from yet another spirits competition. There certainly are a lot of them! In the past couple of weeks, both the New Orleans Spirits Competition and SIP Awards have announced their winners. The NOSC, is presented by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, with each spirit tasted blind by a panel of industry experts. The SIP Awards takes a different approach, stating they are the only only internationally recognized consumer judging spirits competition. There are too many awards to list here, but if you’re interested you can find them on each competition’s respective web site: sipawards.com and nolaspiritscomp.com.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Launches Bold New Campaign: “Nowhere We Won’t Go”

Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled a bold new brand campaign, “Nowhere We Won’t Go”, capturing the ambition, innovation, and relentless pursuit of quality that defines the modern bourbon leader. Developed with Forsman & Bodenfors, the campaign features a 30-second film blending Bardstown footage with energetic visuals, animated typography, and a custom jazz-meets-electronic soundtrack. “We’ve always believed great bourbon starts with curiosity,” said Pete Marino, President of Lofted Spirits. “This campaign brings to life how far we’re willing to go, from the lab to the barrel house to the furthest corners of the world.” The campaign launched nationally across digital and social media on July 23. Read the full press release and watch the videos here.

Brown‑Forman Stockholders Elect Directors, Farrer Named Chairman

Brown‑Forman Corporation stockholders elected the company’s recommended slate of directors and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal 2026. Marshall B. Farrer, a fifth-generation descendant of the company’s founder, was reelected and named Chairman, following Campbell P. Brown’s decision to step down from the role. The Board also approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2265 per share, payable October 1, 2025. (As a side note: The company has paid regular quarterly cash dividends for 81 consecutive years and has increased the regular cash dividend for 41 consecutive years.) Read the full press release here.

Bourbon and Distillery News For July 25, 2025

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

Upcoming Bourbon (and other whiskey) Events 🥃

All festivals 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
• 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 select 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. In an usual turn of events, we don’t have all that many for next week…yet. Here’s the link to our last New Bourbon Releases News, where there were 20+ new releases, in case you missed it.

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 next New Bourbon Releases News will be published Friday August 1. 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!🥃

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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!