Bourbon and Distillery News for May 2, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Bourbon Obsessed Bourbon and Distillery News! It’s been a busy week in the bourbon world, so we have quite a bit to talk about! For me, it was also a hectic week, so there aren’t any new bourbon reviews. But there are a bunch on deck, so stay tuned. For now, let’s jump right into the news!

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Contents:

Buffalo Trace Cafe — Diageo Montgomery — Yellowstone Bourbon — Proof and Wood — Mecklenburg ABC — North Carolina Lobbyists — Bardstown Bourbon Company Gift — Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard — MGP — Buffalo Trace Project Cardinal — RNDC — Tariffs

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 2, 2026

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Bourbon and Distillery News for May 2, 2026

Buffalo Trace Distillery Announces John G. Carlisle Cafe Grand Opening

Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the grand opening of the John G. Carlisle Cafe, a permanent dining destination located within the historic Elmer T. Lee Clubhouse. Opening May 11, 2026, the 4,900-square-foot cafe offers seating for 70 guests, a menu featuring made-to-order sandwiches, salads, desserts and Kentucky classics, and a rotating selection of cocktails featuring Buffalo Trace spirits. In celebration, the Distillery will host a three-week lineup of daily offerings throughout May, including Free Meal Mondays, Whiskey Wednesdays with complimentary samples of a new release, Meet the Masters events, and additional themed experiences. The space also features historic artifacts, including “the only known bottle of Carlisle Whiskey” and a flood line marking the April 2025 high-water level. See the full schedule of events and more details in the press release.

Diageo Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Alabama

Diageo North America officially opened its new 360,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehousing facility in Montgomery, Alabama, bringing the company’s beverage alcohol brands closer to customers across the Southern United States. Representing an investment of approximately $415 million, Diageo Montgomery will employ around 100 full-time team members and supported approximately 750 jobs during the construction phase. The facility includes automated guided vehicles, advanced technology in high-speed bottling lines, electric boilers, a battery energy storage system, and advanced water and energy metering technology, and “benefits from excellent access to local transport infrastructure, including road and rail,” reducing transportation distances and lowering carbon emissions. Diageo has also invested $750,000 across Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, and Tuskegee University, “providing scholarships and financial support to students and helping strengthen pathways to future career opportunities,” as part of its broader commitment to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). Learn more in the full press release.

Yellowstone Bourbon Renews National Parks Conservation Association Partnership with $25,000 Donation

Yellowstone Bourbon has renewed its annual partnership with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) with a $25,000 donation, bringing its total contributions to more than $1 million since 2018. The partnership continues the brand’s commitment to “protect and preserve national parks,” and will include participation in NPCA’s year-long United by Parks campaign, which encourages Americans to “renew our century-old commitment to protecting parks so they can continue to endure for future generations.” Throughout the partnership, Yellowstone Bourbon and NPCA have collaborated on preservation-focused campaigns, including social media initiatives, commemorative releases, and educational efforts supporting national parks and wildlife conservation. YellowstoneBourbon.com

Proof & Wood Partners with Bowler Wines & Spirits for Northeast Distribution

Proof & Wood has announced a new distribution partnership with Bowler Wines & Spirits, effective May 1, 2026, covering New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Under the agreement, Bowler will represent the full portfolio, including Deadwood Bourbon, Roulette Rye, Tumblin’ Dice High Rye Bourbon, The Representative Bourbon, The Senator Rye, and The Funk Jamaican Rum, along with a curated range of single barrel selections. The partnership will focus on “expanding distribution, deepening relationships with key accounts, and continuing to build momentum” behind the portfolio. Founded by Dave Schmier, Proof & Wood “sources, blends, and bottles spirits with a story worth telling” and has built a following for its commitment to transparency and its portfolio of brands. proofandwood.com

Mecklenburg County ABC Cracks Down on Illegal Rare Bourbon Sales

The Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and North Carolina ABC Commission have announced the results of “Operation High Octane,” a year-long undercover investigation targeting the illegal secondary market sale of liquor. The operation resulted in 28 criminal summonses and uncovered “a sophisticated underground network profiting from the unlawful sale of rare and allocated spirits,” with many bottles sourced out of state and resold at significant markups. Undercover officers conducted buy-bust operations involving high-end bourbons including Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and Thomas Handy, with some transactions reaching $8,500 for five bottles. Officials emphasized that “illegal alcohol sales undermine consumer safety, evade state taxes, and disrupt the integrity of North Carolina’s controlled system,” and warned that buyers risk purchasing counterfeit or tampered products. Sources: WSOC-TV9 | Queen City News

Examples of Illegal Transactions Identified

• March 30 (Matthews): $8,500 for 5 bottles of Pappy Van Winkle (NC retail: $1,419.75)
• April 2 (Charlotte): $2,250 for 11 bottles (including Angel’s Envy and Hibiki)
• April 9 (Charlotte): $3,500 for 34 bottles of bourbon (NC retail: $2,251.80)
• April 9 (Charlotte): $1,980 for 14 bottles (including E.H. Taylor and Weller 107) (NC retail: $1,028.30)
• April 10 (Huntersville): $1,940 for 5 bottles (including George T. Stagg and Thomas Handy) (NC retail: $549.75)
• March 13 (Matthews): $100 for EH Taylor Single Barrel
• November 15 (Charlotte): $100 for ‘23 Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon, and on March 31, Evernorth Spirits Spirit Walker for $150

Editor’s Note: What surprises me is that people were given summonses for sales both large and small. These prices also seem on the low side, too. I wonder if other states will follow suit?

NC Lobbyists Indicted Over Bourbon Tour Gifts to Lawmakers

Four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted on allegations that they arranged illegal gifts for state lawmakers tied to a 2024 Kentucky bourbon distillery tour described as “a multi-day, invitation-only tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.” Prosecutors allege the trips were funded through contributions to a nonprofit, Greater Carolina, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, which then paid for travel expenses, hotel accommodations, meals, distillery tours, and events including tastings and dinners. Those charged are accused of directing companies including Diageo, Sazerac, Churchill Downs, and the North Carolina Spirits Association to fund or host events benefiting legislators, despite state law prohibiting lobbyists from providing gifts “either directly or indirectly.” However, the law allows some “flexibility” for situations involving “events, travel or large groups of people,” as long as no “corrupt intent” is evident, which could make prosecution difficult. The trips included visits to distilleries such as Stitzel-Weller, Heaven Hill, and Buffalo Trace, and it remains unclear if additional charges may follow. WRAL NEWS | NC Newsline

Bardstown Bourbon Company Introduces NFC-Powered Bourbon Gift Ideas

Bardstown Bourbon Company has introduced Bourbon Gifting Reimagined, a program that allows consumers to apply a premium NFC sticker to any bottle and attach a custom message, photo, or video that can be accessed with a smartphone tap. Launching ahead of Father’s Day, the initiative transforms bourbon gift ideas into a “consumer-driven gifting application,” enabling recipients to unlock a personalized experience that “lives directly with the gift.” The technology, developed in partnership with Eurostampa and io.tt, will be available nationwide across retail, events, and at the brand’s Bardstown distillery and Louisville Tasting Room, as well as online at bardstownbourbon.com/gifting. Get all the details in the press release.

Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard End Merger Discussions

Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard have announced that they have “terminated discussions regarding a potential combination,” ending talks that had been under consideration between the two spirits companies. In its statement, Brown-Forman said the decision followed “a thorough evaluation” and that the company remains focused on executing its strategy and delivering long-term growth. Pernod Ricard similarly confirmed that the companies “have mutually agreed to discontinue discussions,” noting that each will “continue to focus on the execution of their respective strategies.” brown-forman.com | pernod-ricard.com

MGP Reports Q1 2026 Results with Mixed Performance Across Whiskey Segments

MGP Ingredients reported first quarter 2026 consolidated sales of $106.4 million, down year-over-year, with results impacted by lower brown goods volumes and non-cash impairment charges that resulted in a net loss for the quarter. The impairment charges were primarily related to bulk whiskey inventory and certain long-lived assets within its Distilling Solutions segment, reflecting current market conditions. The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook, projecting sales of $480–$500 million and adjusted EBITDA of $90–$98 million.

Within its whiskey-related business, performance varied across segments. MGP noted that its Distilling Solutions segment—encompassing contract distilling and bulk whiskey sourcing—declined due to elevated industry inventories and reduced customer purchasing activity. These conditions also drove the inventory-related impairment charges during the quarter.

In contrast, its Branded Spirits segment showed relative strength, led by continued growth in Penelope Bourbon. MGP’s owned brands portfolio also includes Rebel Bourbon, Remus Bourbon, and Yellowstone Bourbon, which remain part of its premium-focused strategy, although the company did not break out individual brand performance. Overall, branded spirits continue to be positioned as a higher-margin, long-term growth focus compared to its contract and sourcing businesses.

Looking ahead, MGP said it is actively adjusting production levels* in response to current market conditions, including elevated industry inventories and reduced customer purchasing activity for aged and new distillate whiskey. These actions include aligning new distillation volumes with customer needs and managing existing inventory levels, particularly within its bulk whiskey business, while maintaining a long-term focus on premium American whiskey and branded portfolio growth.
Sources: businesswire.com and The Motley Fool

*Editor’s note: We had reported in our last Bourbon and Distillery News Newsletter that MGP was halting distilling at both its Lux Row and Limestone Branch distilleries in Kentucky, so presumably this is the adjustment that they are referring to.

Project Cardinal at Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery is moving forward with a new $59 million expansion project dubbed “Project Cardinal.” According to reporting by Janet Patton in the Lexington Herald-Leader, the project consists of a “hand-bottling craft distillery” to be located on the main campus in Frankfort. The expansion is designed to support the brand’s goal of reaching one million annual visitors. The project follows a decade-long $1.2 billion infrastructure investment by parent company Sazerac that has doubled the distillery’s cooking and fermenting capacity. The new facility is intended to support “long-term growth and commitment to the visitor experience” by allowing guests to see the craft process up close. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026 with an anticipated completion date of December 2028. Source: Lexington Herald-Leader

Editor’s note: I was unable to access the full text of this article because it is behind a paywall. Therefore, I had to rely on the summary provided by Gemini.

RNDC to Sell Additional Markets as Industry Consolidation Continues

Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is continuing to sell off significant portions of its business, with plans to hand over the majority of its operations to multiple competitors, including Martignetti Companies and Columbia Distributing. According to VinePair, RNDC has a non-binding letter of intent with Martignetti to sell off its operations in control states including Alabama, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The agreement would also have Martignetti take over brokerage in Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and Virginia. RNDC also signed an additional letter of intent with Columbia Distributing to sell its markets in Oregon and Washington and set up an “asset arrangement” in Alaska. The moves follow RNDC’s withdrawal from California in 2025 and the sale of twelve markets to Reyes Beverage Group earlier this year. Source: VinePair

This just in:

U.S. Moves to Lift Whisky Tariffs, Impacting Scotland–Kentucky Whiskey Ties

The United States is moving to lift certain tariffs and restrictions on United Kington whisky, a decision President Donald Trump said was influenced by a recent visit from King Charles III. President Trump stated he would be “removing the Tariffs and Restrictions on [UK] Whisky,” describing the move as tied to strengthening trade between Scotland and Kentucky. According to reports, the decision is intended to support cooperation involving “Scotland’s ability to work with the Commonwealth of Kentucky on Whisky and Bourbon,” particularly around the use of wooden barrels used in the aging process. However, details remain unclear, including whether the changes apply directly to bottled Scotch or primarily to production materials, and no timeline for implementation has been announced. Officials indicated the move could provide “preferential duty access” for U.K.-produced whisky, while industry groups welcomed the potential for improved trade relations. Sources: Reuters | AP

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 2, 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 May 9. In addition, the podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday May 4. 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!🥃

Next, read these related articles: New Bourbon Releases News for May 9, 2026 and and Bourbon and Distillery News for May 16, 2026!

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