Bourbon and Distillery News for June 6, 2026 | Layoffs, RNDC, Brown-Forman & Litigation Updates

15 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:

Whiskey House — RNDC — Brown-Forman – Slane Irish Whiskey — The Ingram Distillery — Potter Jane Distilling — The Daily Pour — Brown-Forman Fiscal 2026 — Sazerac Tennessee Whiskey — National Bourbon Week 2026 — The Parlor Room — Bourbon Litigation Upates — Uncle Nearest — Garrard County Distilling — Sanders v. Bardstown Bourbon Company — Henneman v. Sanders — TKC Distilling

Bourbon and Distillery News For June 6, 2026

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

Check out our latest reviews:

• Green River Honey Finished Bourbon Review Green River Honey Finished Bourbon takes a different approach to honey-finished whiskey. Starting with four-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon and finishing it with real locally sourced honey, the result is a whiskey that balances honey, fruit and spice while still allowing the bourbon character to shine through. Read my full review for all the details!
• Little Book Chapter 10: All The Wiser Review Little Book Chapter 10: All The Wiser celebrates the tenth release in Freddie Noe’s annual limited-release series. Built from a blend of mature Beam bourbons, including a younger component finished in sherry and toasted bourbon casks, this whiskey delivers evolving flavors and surprising complexity from the first sip to the last. Read my full review for all the details!
• From Neighbors to Distillers: The Oaklore Distilling Story We travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, to visit Oaklore Distilling Co. Read on to learn how this neighborhood start-up transitioned from a bus-stop concept to one of the region’s most intentional craft whiskey producers! Read on or listen to/watch our podcast and YouTube video!
• Old Forester 117 Series High Angels’ Share Rye Review Old Forester 117 Series High Angels’ Share Rye is the latest release in the distillery’s limited 117 Series. Created from barrels that experienced unusually high evaporation during maturation, this rye delivers concentrated flavors, surprising complexity and a profile that evolves dramatically from nose to finish. Read my full review for all the details!

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Bourbon and Distillery News for June 6, 2026

Whiskey House of Kentucky Announces Layoffs Amid Industry Slowdown

Whiskey House of Kentucky in Elizabethtown laid off about 30% of its workforce on June 2, according to CEO David Mandell. Mandell said 22 workers were laid off with a right to recall. “We were among the last contract manufacturers to make workforce adjustments, and we fully expect to be among the first to bring employees back as demand returns,” Mandell said in a statement. He added, “As an industry, we are navigating a cyclical slowdown, and our responsibility is to make thoughtful decisions that protect the long-term health of our company, our customers, and our employees.” Mandell said laid off employees will receive severance packages, continuation of benefits and assistance with job placement. Whiskey House of Kentucky opened in July 2024 in Elizabethtown as a state-of-the-art custom distillery that produces bourbon and other whiskeys for various clients and is currently operating at about 60% of its capacity. Source: kentucky.com

RNDC Faces Claims of Unpaid Supplier Bills Following Market Exit

Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has left an unknown number of overdue bills unpaid as the distributor continues to unwind operations following its 2025 exit from California and the sale of markets to competitors, according to a report by Dave Infante for VinePair. Infante reported that multiple suppliers told VinePair they are still waiting on payments ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to amounts “well into the six figures.” The report also stated that a landlord is seeking payment for lease obligations tied to former RNDC facilities. A former RNDC employee told VinePair that some suppliers “weren’t being paid out” on various incentives, while another former employee alleged that smaller suppliers faced greater challenges collecting overdue payments than larger suppliers. VinePair reported that RNDC did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding the outstanding balances. Source: VinePair

Brown-Forman Pauses Production at Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery

Brown-Forman has implemented a temporary production pause at the Slane Irish Whiskey Distillery in County Meath, Ireland. According to a statement cited by Robb Report, “Demand planning and production forecasting are critical parts of our business; standard practice requires adjusting production to align with market conditions.” The company said it has “a robust supply of maturing whiskey,” and that there will be “no interruption in the availability of Slane for our customers worldwide.” The visitor center will remain open, and tours will continue for trade and VIP guests. The move follows other production adjustments within Brown-Forman’s whiskey portfolio during the current industry slowdown. According to the report, any decision to resume production will be based on future demand planning and forecasting. Source: Robb Report

Editor’s Note: While the production pause has been called temporary, no date for resuming production has been set. The announcement follows last year’s decision by Brown-Forman to pause production at Glenglassaugh Distillery in Scotland and shift operations to a shared-production model with Benriach Distillery, which has also since been paused, according to a company spokeswoman as reported in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The Ingram Distillery Supports One Mississippi’s River Days of Action

The Ingram Distillery is expanding its partnership with One Mississippi by supporting the nonprofit’s annual River Days of Action, which takes place June 1-15 throughout the Mississippi River system. The distillery’s involvement includes support of the River Days of Action Sweepstakes, with prizes including an overnight stay at the distillery, free tours on National Mississippi River Day (June 2) for the first 14 people who register, efforts to secure a proclamation recognizing June 2 as National Mississippi River Day in Columbus and Hickman County, Kentucky, and participation in the Four Rivers Clean Sweep river cleanup in Paducah on June 6. “What One Mississippi does to energize people around a shared love of the Mississippi is incredible,” said Hank Ingram, founder of The Ingram Distillery. “We are proud to play a role in this year’s River Days of Action and look forward to continuing to do so far into the future.” ingramwhiskey.com

Potter Jane Distilling Co. Makes A Disturbing Announcement

Owners Denny Potter and Jane Bowie of Potter Jane Distilling Co. held a press conference this past Wednesday to make a startling revelation. During the austere conference, the two admitted that although they have repeatedly stated that they would not source whiskey while their own was aging, they indeed have done so. Needless to say, industry and media members in attendance were both shocked and deeply upset by Denny and Jane’s longstanding deceit, although the pair did profusely apologize. Nonetheless, outrage proved short-lived once samples of the whiskey were distributed and consumed. Potter Jane’s aptly named Big Vat Liar Bourbon is delicious, and all was quickly forgiven. The bourbon will be available in limited quantities in Kentucky soon. [Watch my Instagram Reel of the Potter Jane press conference.] potterjane.com

The Daily Pour Acquires Whiskey Riot Festival

The Daily Pour announced the acquisition of Whiskey Riot, one of the largest traveling whiskey festival brands in the United States. The deal marks The Daily Pour’s third acquisition in 24 months, following the addition of WhiskyX earlier this year. With Whiskey Riot now under its umbrella, The Daily Pour says it operates four festival and event brands: Whiskey Washback, Whiskey Riot, Arte Agave, and Drinks with Benefits, and is planning at least 30 events in 2027. According to the announcement, the acquisition makes The Daily Pour the nation’s largest producer of whiskey festivals. The company also stated that it is actively pursuing additional acquisitions across categories as it continues to establish market dominance in the experiential drinks space. Source: Mediaite

Editor’s Note: This article was published by Mediaite but is based on an announcement from The Daily Pour. Both companies were founded by Dan Abrams.

Brown-Forman Reports Fiscal 2026 Results

Brown-Forman reported fiscal 2026 net sales of $3.9 billion, down 1% from the prior year, while operating income declined 10% and earnings per share fell 17%. The company said the sales decline was primarily due to the end of its Korbel Champagne Cellars distribution relationship and the absence of transition-service revenue related to the prior sale of Sonoma-Cutrer. Those declines were partially offset by the launch of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry.

Whiskey was one of the company’s stronger categories, with net sales increasing 3%, driven by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry and growth of Woodford Reserve in the United States. Growth in emerging markets was led by the Jack Daniel’s family of brands in Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil, as well as strong growth of its New Mix ready-to-drink cocktail brand in Mexico. Looking ahead, Brown-Forman said it expects a challenging environment to continue in fiscal 2027 and is forecasting approximately flat sales with operating income declining 3% to 5%. Source: Brown-Forman

Sazerac Launches Its First Tennessee Whiskey

AJ Bond Distillery has announced the debut of AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey, marking Sazerac’s first entry into the Tennessee Whiskey category. Crafted by Master Distiller Allisa Henley and the late John Lunn, the whiskey was developed beginning in 2016 and is named for the bond between its creators. According to the distillery, the whiskey is produced using both pot and column still distillation, with each distillate charcoal mellowed, aged separately, and then bonded together before bottling.

AJ Bond Tennessee Whiskey is bottled at 95 proof and produced using locally sourced Tennessee ingredients, including corn from Batey Farms and barrels made from Tennessee oak. The whiskey will initially be released in Tennessee in June 2026 at a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750 mL bottle, with broader distribution to select states planned for later in 2026. According to the announcement, this release is the first in a planned portfolio of AJ Bond Distillery whiskeys.

National Bourbon Week 2026 – June 14-21, 2026

The third annual National Bourbon Week returns to Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, from June 14–21, 2026. Kicking off on National Bourbon Day, the event features 10 partner distilleries, including new additions Limestone Branch Distillery and Potter Jane Distilling Company alongside Log Still Distillery, Heaven Hill Distillery, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Preservation Distillery, Old SteelHouse Distillery, Lux Row Distillers, Maker’s Mark Distillery and Barton 1792 Distillery. There are many exciting events in store, including the Friday night Mash Up! Head on over to nationalbourbonweek.com for all the details and to purchase tickets to the many events.

Congratulations to Whitney Rye and The Parlor Room on Their First Anniversary

Congratulations to my friend Whitney Rye and her tasting room, The Parlor Room, on celebrating their first year in business this weekend! Located in downtown Bardstown, The Parlor Room has quickly become known for its curated tasting experiences and Whitney’s story-driven approach to whiskey education. Rather than focusing on tasting notes, Whitney’s experiences explore the people, history, and craftsmanship behind each pour, creating a memorable experience for both bourbon newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. We wish Whitney continued success in her second year and look forward to seeing what comes next! Find out more and make a reservation for one of her tasting experiences at parlorroomtastings.com.

Bourbon Litigation Updates

Summaries contributed by my podcast cohost, bankruptcy attorney Dean Langdon, with light editing by yours truly.

Uncle Nearest

Let’s start with Uncle Nearest, where founder Fawn Weaver continues to battle lender Farm Credit Mid-America over control of the company. Uncle Nearest remains in court-appointed receivership following allegations that the company defaulted on more than $100 million in loans and engaged in financial misconduct, allegations Weaver has denied.

On May 26, the judge denied Weaver’s effort to end the receivership and also expanded the receiver’s control by bringing Grant Sidney, Inc. into the fold. Grant Sidney is Weaver’s personal holding company and the largest shareholder of Uncle Nearest.

The court’s reasoning was pointed: Uncle Nearest was found insolvent under both cash-flow and balance-sheet tests, Farm Credit’s position was not clearly protected, and the company had already engaged in pre-receivership conduct the court viewed as fraudulent. The judge also concluded that less drastic remedies would not work and that the receiver had done more good than harm by reducing losses and expenses.

And the story isn’t over. The Weavers have appealed to the Sixth Circuit, while the receiver has now disclosed a confidential letter of intent to buy the assets of Uncle Nearest, Inc., Uncle Nearest Real Estate Holdings, Inc., and Nearest Green Distillery. That proposed deal excludes the Martha’s Vineyard property, Grant Sidney, and the Cognac properties, and the buyer says it plans to preserve the workforce and the cultural significance of Nearest Green.

Garrard County Distilling

Next up is Garrard County Distilling in Lancaster, Kentucky. On May 14, the court entered judgment for $27.9 million in favor of the holder of the distillery’s mortgage debt and ruled that the mortgage had priority over a mechanic’s lien filed by contractor Doss & Horky. Earlier this year, Sazerac-affiliated Tom Collins Distilling LLC acquired the [mortgage] debt from Truist Bank, which had been the distillery’s primary lender. The dispute largely centered on whether the mortgage or the contractor’s lien would have priority in a liquidation. The court ruled in favor of the mortgage holder and has now referred the case to the Master Commissioner for sale proceedings.

The sale is expected to include not just the real estate, but also equipment, improvements, and barrel inventory, all within a 90-day window. The property covers roughly 210 acres, so this is not a small liquidation. Tom Collins Distilling has previously indicated that it intends to bid on the property. No sale date has been set as of June 3, 2026.

Sanders v. Bardstown Bourbon Company

Now to Nelson Circuit Court, where Sylvia Sanders and Bardstown Bourbon Co. are still litigating over an NDA and a counterclaim. Sanders originally sued the company alleging sexual harassment, retaliation, and other claims. Bardstown Bourbon responded with a counterclaim alleging that Sanders violated a nondisclosure agreement by sharing confidential company information with third parties and the media.

On May 28, the court denied Sanders’ motion to dismiss the company’s counterclaim, holding that the claim was not barred by Kentucky’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute because it was not based solely on protected litigation activity. The court relied on the idea that breaching a nondisclosure agreement can be a separate, actionable wrong even if it arises in the context of a lawsuit. It declined, however, to award attorney fees against Sanders or her lawyer, saying the statutory language presented a fair question.

Henneman v. Sanders

That dispute has also spawned a separate defamation case in Jefferson Circuit Court. Herb Henneman, Bardstown Bourbon Co.‘s former vice president of production, was referenced in Sanders’ original lawsuit. Henneman subsequently sued Sanders for defamation and related claims, arguing that statements made about him were false and damaged his reputation.

The case is now centered on a motion to dismiss, with both sides arguing over whether the allegations are protected by judicial privilege and whether Sanders’ public outreach, including media coverage, changes the analysis. Henneman says he left Bardstown Bourbon voluntarily in early 2024, was not fired for cause, and was never accused of being a sexual predator. Sanders counters that the allegations were relevant to her own earlier claims, while Henneman says her own arguments show the opposite. Henneman recently asked to file a supplemental response citing the Nelson Circuit Court’s order denying Sanders’ motion to dismiss Bardstown Bourbon Co.’s counterclaim, arguing that the ruling supports his position that his own claims should proceed.

TKC Distilling Disputes

We also have two new suits involving TKC Distilling and related entities. TKC Distilling is tied to The Kentucky Castle and the True Story whiskey brand, both associated with Wes Henderson, founder of Angel’s Envy.

First, Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates says TKC failed to pay under a consulting agreement signed on January 1, 2024, and then failed again after a later payment agreement in November 2025.

As of late April, the amounts allegedly due were $456,425 under the consulting agreement and $54,288 under the payment agreement. The consulting deal reportedly included $40,000 per month, a discretionary bonus, and Series A stock valued at $3,750,000, while the later payment agreement allowed PNSA to accept bulk spirits as partial payment.

Then there’s Luckett & Farley Architects, which claims it provided extensive design and planning services for a bourbon brand, a distillery project in Edgewood, and a Kentucky Castle masterplan. The complaint says invoices topped $980,000 by May 2024, with another $532,000 in services after that, and no payments since then.

TKC Distilling has already filed an answer, denying much of the complaint but admitting it has not made payments on the note in 2026 and is in default.

Bourbon and Distillery News For June 6, 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 Saturday June 13. In addition, the podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday June 8. 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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