Bourbon and Distillery News for November 7, 2026

17 Bourbon Industry News Stories You Need To Know!

This week we focus on Bourbon Industry News. Read our New Bourbon Releases News if you want to learn about the latest American Whiskeys to hit the market. To receive my weekly newsletters in your inbox, subscribe here.

CONTENTS

What’s New — Campari — MGP / Sempreon — Bacardi / Reyes — Whiskey House — Sazerac Kentucky Projects — Chris Morris / KDA — Wild Turkey Giving — Crown Royal Giving — Green River Refund — 2BAR Spirits — RNDC / National Wine & Spirits — 15 STARS — Diageo — Sazerac / Full Sail — Redwood Empire — Larrikin Arizona — Whiskey Thief / The Guild House

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

• Ingram Flagship Bourbon Batch 6 Review (2026) Ingram Flagship Bourbon Batch 6 is a seven-year-old wheated Kentucky straight bourbon aged on the Mississippi River and bottled at 113.8 proof. Its 25-barrel blend makes it the largest Flagship release to date. Read my Ingram Flagship Bourbon Batch 6 review.
• Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1: Origin (2026) opens a ten-part series with a 21-year-old, barrel-strength OBSF bourbon. Craig and Cynthia review a 115-proof single barrel from this limited release. Read Craig and Cynthia’s Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 review.
• Scattered Castles Barrel Proof Bourbon Finished in Rum Barrels Review Scattered Castles Barrel Proof Bourbon Finished in Rum Barrels is a limited release bottled at 117.2 proof. Distilled and aged in Maryland and Indiana, Batch 1 brings together bourbon and old rum casks in a surprising way. Read my Scattered Castles Barrel Proof Bourbon Finished in Rum Barrels review.
• Mad River Revolution Rye Review Mad River Revolution Rye uses an all-rye mash bill with three types of rye, including chocolate malted rye. Made in Vermont and bottled at 96 proof, it sells for $49.99. How does this unique recipe come together? Read my Mad River Revolution Rye review.
• Mad River Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey Review Mad River Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey combines two-year-old, four-grain straight bourbon with dark robust Vermont maple syrup. Bottled at 76 proof and priced at $47.99, it brings together two Vermont favorites. Read my Mad River Double Tapped Maple Bourbon Whiskey review.

OK, now let’s move on to the news!

Bourbon and Distillery News for November 7, 2026

Campari Sales Grow, While Whiskey and Rum Decline

Campari Group reported third-quarter sales of €777 million (approximately US$903 million), up 3.2%, and nine-month sales of €2.289 billion (approximately US$2.66 billion), up 0.4%. Excluding currency movements and portfolio changes, growth was 3.4% for the quarter and 2.9% for the nine months. Aperitifs and agave spirits led growth, with nine-month sales up 6.7% and 6.5%, respectively, on that adjusted basis. Standouts included Aperol and Campari in Brazil, while Aperol and Espolòn tequila both delivered double-digit growth in Australia.

Combined whiskey and rum sales fell 17.5% in the quarter and 10% over nine months on the same adjusted basis; American whiskey-only results are not available. CEO Simon Hunt said increased competition was hurting Wild Turkey, which needs stronger promotion in stores, while Russell’s Reserve lacked enough supply to meet demand, with supply expected to recover in the first quarter of 2027.

Campari expects a €20 million (approximately US$23.2 million) group-wide U.S. tariff impact in 2026 and has collected a separate €15 million (approximately US$17.4 million) refund related to 2025 U.S. tariffs. Source: Campari Group sales release, Campari Group investor presentation, Campari management’s October 28 results call (transcript hosted by Stock Analysis / Quartr) and Campari Group results centre.

Editor’s Note: Campari provides no individual sales totals or growth percentages for Wild Turkey or Russell’s Reserve in this update. Wilderness Trail is not mentioned in the release, presentation or results call we reviewed.

MGP Reports Lower Sales, Penelope Grows 12%

MGP Ingredients, now operating as Sempreon, reported third-quarter sales of $117.9 million, down 10% from the same period last year. Net income fell to $6.9 million from $15.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA declined 33% to $21.5 million. The company reduced total debt by $28.4 million during the quarter and reaffirmed its full-year sales outlook of $480 million to $500 million.

Branded Spirits sales declined 4% to $58.2 million, although sales excluding its other-products category, primarily international private-label bottled products, were in line with last year. Penelope Bourbon sales increased 12%, while the premium-plus portfolio declined 1%. Mid-priced brands grew 6%, led by Ezra Brooks 90 Proof, Exotico tequila and Juarez tequila. In Distilling Solutions, sales fell 29% to $29 million, with brown-goods sales down 47% to approximately $15 million as elevated industry barrel inventories continued to affect demand. Warehouse-services revenue increased 3%. President and CEO Julie Francis said the business “continued to navigate an oversupplied market.” Source: MGP Ingredients results release, MGP Ingredients investor presentation and Sempreon investor relations.

Editor’s Note: Once again, Penelope is the shining star for MGP, now Sempreon. While MGP earned $6.9 million in the third quarter, it posted a $115.9 million net loss for the first nine months of 2026, driven largely by $179.5 million in noncash write-downs. While MGP’s brown goods sales fell 47%, sales of white goods and other co-products rose 32%, driven by higher sales of premium white goods such as grain neutral spirits and gin.

Bacardi Moves 11 Markets to Reyes Beverage Group

Bacardi has announced new U.S. distribution agreements effective January 1, 2027, bringing its portfolio to Reyes Beverage Group for the first time. Reyes will handle Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits will continue as distributor or broker in 36 states, including Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Bacardi’s U.S. portfolio includes Angel’s Envy, along with its rum, tequila, vodka, Scotch and other spirits brands. The companies said they will work together over the coming months on the transition. Source: Bacardi Limited.

Whiskey House Launches Customer Portal 2.0

Whiskey House of Kentucky has launched Customer Portal 2.0, an update to the platform its distilling and brand customers use to track production and inventory. The company says customers can now “walk a photorealistic 3D model of the rickhouse where their whiskey rests.” The viewer allows customers to filter by lot or schedule order, locate matching barrels and select an individual barrel to retrieve its production information.

• A customizable dashboard with inventory and production figures, barrels by location and schedule-order information.
• Updated inventory and production views covering entry proof, average wine gallons per barrel, inventory by age, monthly volume and cooperage details.
• A choice of liters of pure alcohol, wine gallons or proof gallons, with automatic conversion throughout the platform.
• Guided help and downloadable CSV files limited to the data each customer is authorized to access.

The portal connects directly to Whiskey House’s warehouse and production systems and is available now to all of its customers. Source: Whiskey House of Kentucky.

Sazerac Plans Nearly $606 Million in Kentucky Projects

Sazerac is planning nearly $606 million in investment across four Kentucky locations, according to project reports in the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority’s October 29 board materials. The projects carry a combined target of 250 additional jobs and approximately $5.55 million in negotiated tax incentives. The planned investments include:

• Garrard County Distilling facility, Lancaster: $557 million to upgrade the recently acquired property, including $496 million in building improvements, $46 million in equipment and $15 million in land. The project targets 85 jobs under a 15-year incentive term.
• Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort: approximately $29.4 million for a new craft bottling operation, with a target of 40 jobs under a 10-year incentive term.
• The Glenmore Distillery, Owensboro: approximately $17.5 million for safety improvements and increased operational efficiency, with a target of 50 jobs under a 10-year incentive term.
• Cumberland Cooperage, East Bernstadt: $2.1 million in facility and equipment upgrades, with a target of 75 jobs over seven years.

Sazerac announced its acquisition of Garrard County Distilling in August. The property includes approximately 210 acres, two column stills and two 20,000-square-foot barrel warehouses. Source: KEDFA October 29 project reports and Sazerac acquisition announcement.

KDA Honors Chris Morris with Lifetime Board Designation and Scholarship

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has honored Chris Morris, Master Distiller Emeritus at Brown-Forman, as a “Lifetime Honorary Board Member” and established an endowed scholarship in his name. Morris, who celebrated 50 years in the bourbon and distilled spirits industry this year, recently announced he was stepping down from the KDA Board after 20 years. He is the eighth person to receive the lifetime designation.

The “KDA Chris Morris Distillation Excellence” scholarship will be awarded annually to a student in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing program at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Preference will go to students pursuing spirits research or demonstrating an interest in the history of bourbon, spirits and distillation. Source: Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

Wild Turkey Launches Thanksgiving Traditions Giveback Program

Wild Turkey has launched Thanksgiving Traditions, a new annual giveback program, with a $101,000 donation to The Farmlink Project. The nonprofit redirects surplus food to communities facing food insecurity. According to the announcement, the donation, inspired by Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, is expected to help provide approximately 1.2 million meals nationwide.

Throughout November, participating bars and restaurants will offer seasonal Wild Turkey 101 cocktail specials, and participating accounts may choose to make a voluntary $20 contribution directly to Farmlink. Consumers can also donate directly via the brand website under the Thanksgiving Traditions tab. For celebrations at home, a $115 Wild Turkey Holiday Hosting Edition Cocktail Courier Kit includes a 375mL bottle of Wild Turkey 101, ingredients and garnishes for Wild Turkey Holiday Punch, a limited-edition 1.75-liter Wild Turkey can, funnel and recipe card. “Thanksgiving is about coming together, and giving back has always been part of Wild Turkey’s tradition,” said Allison Varone, Head of Marketing at Campari America. Source: Wild Turkey.

Crown Royal and Feeding America Bring Back Purple Bag Food Drive

Crown Royal is bringing back its second annual Purple Bag Food Drive with events in New Orleans, Phoenix and Dallas. According to the release, “At each Purple Bag Food Drive event, volunteers will pack food for local distribution.” Crown Royal will contribute $15,000 to Feeding America and another $15,000 to the participating local food banks, with $5,000 going to each.

People nationwide can also donate through Crown Royal’s Feeding America donation page, where the brand “will match eligible donations dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000.” The matching donation website is available November 5–30, 2026. Crown Royal’s total contribution will range from $30,000 to $40,000, depending on the match. The food drive schedule includes:

• New Orleans, November 6: Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.
• Phoenix, November 20: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
• Dallas, November 24: North Texas Food Bank.

Source: Crown Royal.

Green River Offers $20 Game-Day Refunds, Limited to 1,000 Participants

To help with the expenses related to cheering on your favorite sports team, Green River is offering eligible fans $20 back through Venmo on receipts showing at least $20 in qualifying professional or collegiate game-day expenses, including tickets, parking, food and merchandise. No Green River purchase is required. Submit receipts at greenriverwhiskey.com/bsrefund November 6–20, 2026, or until funds run out. Only 1,000 refunds are available, for a total of $20,000, awarded first come, first served to eligible participants whose receipts are validated. Participants must be 21 or older and live in an eligible state or D.C.; one refund is allowed per person. Alcohol purchases are excluded, and other eligibility requirements and exclusions apply. Source: Green River. Green River Rebate full terms and conditions.

Editor’s Note: With only 1,000 refunds available, eligible readers should submit their receipts promptly. The promotion could end well before November 20 if funds run out. Also, no Green River purchase is required, and alcohol purchases are excluded from the rebate. Seems like sort of an odd choice of a promotion for a spirits manufacturer to me…

Seattle’s 2BAR Spirits Files for Chapter 11

Seattle bourbon distillery 2BAR Spirits filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on October 30 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, according to Inc. The report says 2Bar LLC listed approximately $156,000 in assets and more than $1.07 million in debts, including $813,000 in secured claims. Its revenue was more than $498,000 in 2025 and just over $182,000 through the first 10 months of 2026. According to the company’s website, they were the first distillery in Seattle to produce bourbon.

The company plans to continue producing whiskey while restructuring under Subchapter V, the small-business Chapter 11 process. Steven Palmer, an attorney representing the distillery, told Inc. that it sees “a very solid path forward.” The distillery did not provide a specific reason for filing or respond to the publication’s request for comment. Source: Inc..

National Wine & Spirits Seeks to Preserve $6.57 Million from RNDC Kentucky Sale

National Wine & Spirits has sued Republic National Distributing Company over the proposed allocation of proceeds from the sale of their Kentucky joint venture’s business to KEG1 River City. In an October 29 complaint filed in RNDC’s Texas bankruptcy case, National, which owns 31.25% of the venture, asks the court to prevent approximately $6.57 million from being transferred to RNDC as payment of an alleged intercompany debt. RNDC owns the remaining 68.75%. The Kentucky venture is a separate company and is not itself a debtor in the bankruptcy.

National alleges that RNDC’s handling of supplier relationships and payments caused the venture to lose approximately $185 million in value and is seeking damages on the venture’s behalf. It wants the disputed funds retained by the venture or held in a separate escrow account while the court considers that claim and whether it can be offset against any amount owed to RNDC. The complaint seeks damages, an accounting and temporary and permanent injunctive relief. These are National’s allegations and requests for relief, not findings by the court.

Source: National Wine & Spirits’ verified complaint, Docket 739.

15 STARS Launches Single Barrel Program Under First West Line

15 STARS has launched a single barrel program under its First West line, debuting with 6- to 10-year-old Kentucky bourbons available for selection by retailers, restaurants and private groups. Participants will take part in a guided tasting of barrels preselected by 15 STARS before choosing their selection. The company’s aged Kentucky whiskey collection includes bourbons with rye and wheat flavoring grains, along with a growing inventory of proprietary heirloom-corn bourbons distilled by 15 STARS.

Each selection will be bottled at cask proof with minimal filtration to remove only barrel char and presented in First West’s antique blue bottle design. The program is rolling out through select private barrel partners, with additional opportunities planned as it expands. Additional information can be obtained through the contact form on the brand’s website. Source: 15 STARS.

Bourbon and Distillery News Briefs

• Diageo Sales Rise, While North America Declines
  Diageo reported net sales of $4.93 billion, up 1.2%, for its first quarter of fiscal 2027, ended September 30, 2026. North American sales declined 3.6%, with U.S. sales down 3.7%, on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. The statement reported “Category growth in whisky,” although North America saw a double-digit decline in Crown Royal (as well as Don Julio and Casamigos) alongside growth in Johnnie Walker (as well as Guinness and Smirnoff Ice RTD). Diageo Fiscal 27 Q1 Trading Statement.
  Editor’s Note: The statement gives no separate figures for American whiskey or its individual American whiskey brands (such as Bulleit, George Dickel, Balcones).

• Sazerac Acquires Full Sail; Hood River Brewpub Closes
  Sazerac has acquired Full Sail Brewing in Hood River, Oregon, for an undisclosed sum, and the brewery’s brewpub closed November 2. Full Sail had previously been sold to private equity firm Encore Consumer Capital in 2015. According to employee accounts reported by New School Beer + Cider, Full Sail and Session beer production is ending, while the facility will continue making ready-to-drink beverages and other products under contract, with beer production limited to existing contracts. Source: Beer Street Journal and New School Beer + Cider.

• Redwood Empire Names Kristina King Visitor Experience and Whiskey Club Manager
  Redwood Empire Whiskey has appointed Kristina King as Visitor Experience & Whiskey Club Manager at its Mare Island distillery in California. King brings more than 20 years of experience in membership communities and direct-to-consumer programs in the wine industry and will develop the distillery calendar of tours, tastings, education, and VIP experiences. She will also shape the Redwood Empire Whiskey Club’s membership model and member experience, including exclusive releases, events and benefits.

• Larrikin and Koala Bare Gin Expand into Arizona
  Larrikin Bourbon Company and Koala Bare Spirits have partnered with Arizona-based Uncommon Spirits to bring their whiskeys and Australian-inspired gins to the state. Arizona becomes the 18th state for the veteran-owned Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, distillery and marks the next step in the brands’ U.S. expansion.

• Whiskey Thief Adds The Guild House Events Space in Louisville
  Whiskey Thief Distilling has a new events space, The Guild House, adjacent to its Louisville tasting room at 612 E. Market St. The historic 19th-century, 4,200-square-foot residence, formerly owned by Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams, offers space for private events and receptions. See photos from my visit on Facebook and Instagram.

Bourbon and Distillery News For November 7, 2026

Well, that’s it for this week’s Bourbon and Distillery News! If you would like our newsletters delivered directly to your inbox, you can sign up here. Our next New Bourbon Releases News newsletter will be published on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday, November 9, 2026.

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