Bourbon and Distillery News for May 23, 2025

Please enjoy this week’s Bourbon and Distillery News! In case you missed it, check out our latest edition of New Bourbon Releases News and our Podcast, too!

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

But First, Here’s What’s New on BourbonObsessed.com!

• Bardstown / Nelson County Stave Awards 2025 – Details about the winners and the event
• Ship’s Bell Blended Bourbon Review – Full Review
• The Senator Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey Review – Ray’s Review
• Westward x Fort George Brewery Stout Cask American Single Malt Review – Full Review
• Westward Whiskey Cask Strength American Single Malt Review – Full Review
• Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon Review – Full Review
• The Cabinet Barrel Proof Blend of Straight Whiskeys Review – Ray’s Review
• Buzzard’s Roost Signature Double Oak Bourbon Review – Full Review

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

Our podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts or your favorite platform. You can also find it here. New episodes of our Bourbon News Podcast and Bourbon Releases podcasts are released every other Monday at 4am Eastern Time.

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

Bourbon and Distillery News

Belle Meade Bourbon Returns to Nelson Family Ownership

Andy and Charlie Nelson have reacquired the rights to their original brand, Belle Meade Bourbon, marking its return to the Nelson family. After selling majority control to Constellation Brands in 2019 and later departing the company, the brothers quietly regained ownership at the end of 2024 and announced the news in April 2025. They are now focused on rebuilding Belle Meade as a Nashville-centric brand, with availability only in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. They plan to source top-quality barrels, which currently come from MGP and Bardstown Bourbon Company. Additional spirits in the portfolio include Louisa’s Liquor and Schatzi Vodka. Their long term plans include building a distillery. Interestingly, this news comes as Constellation has essentially stopped production at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery and laid off the bulk of their production staff. Read the full story at Whisky Advocate.

Middle West Spirits Acquires Old Elk Distillery

Middle West Spirits has officially announced the acquisition of Old Elk Distillery, adding the Colorado-based brand to its expanding portfolio. The reasons for the acquisition are summed up nicedly by Ryan Lang, Founding Lead Distiller and CEO of Middle West Spirits ““Old Elk has built a respected and beloved brand with staying power, thanks to a distinct blending and innovation philosophy that complements our grain-to-glass production model. Their agility in developing award-winning blends pairs naturally with our technical approach and scale. Together, we’re not just expanding—we’re joining forces to preserve what makes each brand special while unlocking new potential. We’re laying the foundation for long-term growth with a shared focus on quality, transparency and customer relationships.” By combining Old Elk’s brand momentum with Middle West’s robust infrastructure, this acquisition empowers both companies to reach more consumers, drive innovation and raise the bar for craft spirits at scale. Read the full story here.

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Dan Callaway Named Master Blender at Lofted Spirits

Lofted Spirits has elevated Dan Callaway to the role of Master Blender, Lofted Spirits reflecting his creative leadership and blending expertise across the company’s growing portfolio. “Tapping into his background as a seasoned musician turned certified sommelier, Callaway brings a distinctive, almost “mad scientist” approach to blending, which has helped Bardstown Bourbon redefine modern whiskey.” Formerly VP of Product Development at Bardstown Bourbon Company, Callaway will continue to oversee blending for Bardstown Bourbon’s acclaimed line of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys while also expanding his influence across the broader Lofted Spirits portfolio, including the rapidly growing Green River Whiskey brand and emerging Lofted Custom Spirits clients. Read the full story here.

Knob Creek Cask Strength Single Barrel Select Bourbon and Rye Announced

Knob Creek expands their Single Barrel Select Program with the launch of Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength, offering uncut, unfiltered expressions of both bourbon and rye. “Bottled directly from the barrel, with no water added, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength delivers signature bold flavor fans have come to love, in its purest form. Ranging in proof from approximately 110-130 for Bourbon and 100-120 for Rye, each barrel delivers a distinct and full-flavored experience.” The suggested retail price is $69.99 for a 750ml bottle. Read the press release here.

Distilled Spirits Council Awarded $1.03 Million From USDA to Launch 2025 Market Access Program Plan and Expand Export Opportunities for U.S. Distillers

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has been awarded $1,032,601 by the USDA’s Market Access Program to fund its 2025 Export Promotion Plan, helping U.S. distillers—especially those producing American Whiskeys—grow their international presence. Highlights include trade events in the UK, Japan, Germany, France, and India, as well as annual promotional campaigns in India, Australia and the UK. DISCUS also received $1.25 million in Regional Agricultural Promotion Program funding from the USDA to be used over five years to host programs in South America, India, and Singapore. Read the press release here.

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

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Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

Maryland Distillers Guild Launches “Rye Curious” Campaign with Special Whiskey Release

The Maryland Distillers Guild has launched its new “Rye Curious” campaign to celebrate and bring awareness of the state’s rye whiskey heritage. According to their website “Here at Rye Curious, we’ll dive into the history, celebrate local makers, and share why this underappreciated spirit deserves its moment in the spotlight. Stay tuned and join the conversation.” To kick off the effort, Baltimore Spirits Co., McClintock Distilling, and Sagamore Spirits have collaborated on a special limited-release “Rye Curious” blended rye whiskey, which was released Sunday, May 18 at noon at both Baltimore Spirits Co. in Baltimore and McClintock Distilling in Frederick. Each location began with 150 bottles available for $79.99. Future releases will include rye whiskey from additional Maryland distillers. Read the full story here or learn more at the official website: https://www.marylandspirits.org/ryecuriousmd/ .

Diageo Unveils $500 Million Cost-Cutting Plan, Braces for Tariff Impact

Reuters has reported that Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker and Guinness, plans to cut $500 million in costs and dispose of significant assets by 2028 as it works to boost performance and reduce debt. The company aims to bring its net debt-to-operating profit ratio down from 3.1 to between 2.5 and 3.0 through reductions in trade investment, advertising, supply chain costs, and overhead—without large-scale layoffs. However, some significant assets will be disposed of. CEO Debra Crew confirmed Guinness will remain a core asset, while Diageo also revised down the expected financial hit from U.S. tariffs. Nonetheless, a $150 million annual hit from lingering tariffs remains projected. Diageo hopes to generate $3 billion in free cash flow annually beginning in fiscal 2026. Read the full article here.

Jack Daniel’s Launches New Global Ad Campaign

Jack Daniel’s is launching a new global ad campaign starting in May designed to reinforce why Jack Daniel’s remains a household name. “Jack Daniel’s stands apart due to its enduring commitment to traditional methods and genuine character, a legacy that goes back to the processes pioneered by Jack Daniel himself. The new creative highlights the distinctive charcoal mellowing process which sets Jack Daniel’s apart from all other whiskies and ensures a flavor that is both authentic and timeless.” “Created in partnership with Energy BBDO, “That’s What Makes Jack, JACK” is a bold, rootsy return to what made Jack Daniel’s an icon. Once the whiskey of choice for cultural icons like Sinatra and the Rolling Stones, Jack is reinforcing its status as a badge of independent spirit for a new generation.” Watch the 60 second video here.

Loch Lomond Group Acquires New York Distilling Co.

The Spirits Business reports that Loch Lomond Group (LLG) has acquired New York Distilling Co. (NYDC), marking LLG’s first American whiskey brand in its portfolio, which already includes Loch Lomond, Glen Scotia, and Littlemill. LLG plans to invest in NYDC’s production capabilities and visitor experience while expanding the brand globally through its distribution network. NYDC, founded in 2011 by Tom Potter and Allen Katz, recently moved operations from Williamsburg to Bushwick and launched a new product, Jaywalk Rye. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Read the full article here.

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

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Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Results are live!

The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (from The Tasting Alliance) results are in! Well, sort of. I have always wondered why it seemed like this competition occurred multiple times a year, and now I know why. Recently, all of the medal winners (except Platinum) were announced, and there are quite a few of them. For example, 91 bourbons have won Double Gold, and there are many other medal levels and categories. Next, there is a staggered rollout of the announcements of Best in Class Finalists for each category, which happens from mid to late May. Then, “Best of” lists of spirits at specific price points are revealed from July through September. Finally, in November, the Platinum medals and category winners are announced. So the whole process gets stretched out over the better part of the year. You can see the full announcement schedule here.

Pour it Forward for Kentucky – Buffalo Trace Fundraiser For Storm Relief

Buffalo Trace Distillery, in partnership with BlockBar, has launched the “Pour it Forward for Kentucky” Charity Fundraiser to support storm recovery efforts following devastating tornadoes and flooding across the state. The online auction and sweepstakes feature the opportunity to pick a Blanton’s Gold barrel, rare bourbons, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and collectibles from Buffalo Trace, the Van Winkle family, Chris Stapleton, PGA, and more. 100% of proceeds will go to support community relief efforts via the American Red Cross and the Franklin County Flood Relief Fund. Bidding opens May 22 and runs through 10am EST June 5. Read the full article here. — Participate in the charity fundraiser here.

Bourbon Capital Alliance to Host Inaugural “Mash Up” Event in Bardstown

The Bourbon Capital Alliance will host its first-ever Mash Up event on Friday, June 13, 2025 during National Bourbon Week, at the new Bespoke in Bond venue in downtown Bardstown. The event will feature nine partner distilleries—each paired with a local culinary partner—offering bourbon pours and small bites. VIP admission runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and includes four 0.5 oz vintage pours, exclusive food pairings by Chef Newman Miller, the distillery pairings, and a commemorative hand-cut Glencairn glass for $325. General Admission is from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and includes access to all distillery pairings for $150. A Designated Driver ticket is also available for $50. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 2025

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Bourbon and Distillery News For May 23, 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 next New Bourbon Releases News will be published next Friday. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I hope you have a great weekend! See you next time! Cheers!🥃

If you would like to read some of my other recent newsletters, then check out my New Bourbon Releases News for May 16, 2025 and my Bourbon and Distillery News for May 9, 2025.

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!