Bourbon and Distillery News for October 24, 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of the Bourbon and Distillery News! There’s quite a bit this week, so let’s jump right in!

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

• Sagamore Spirit 10-Year-Old Rye Review
  Sagamore Spirit 10-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey is the brand’s oldest release to date. Distilled in Indiana and blended and bottled in Maryland at 110.8 proof, this limited release showcases the depth of a mature rye whiskey. So, what’s it like? Learn all about it in our full review!
• Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon Review (2025)
  The 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon continues the distillery’s grain-to-glass project using locally sourced Kentucky grains including a unique corn hybrid. Learn more about how this bourbon was crafted from seed to bottle, and find out what it’s like in my full review!

Bourbon and Distillery News For October 24, 2025

Bourbon and Distillery News

Sazerac Announces $1 Billion Kentucky Expansion and Indiana Facility Upgrade

Sazerac Distillers, producer of brands such as Pappy Van Winkle, Blanton’s, Fireball, and Buffalo Trace, plans to invest approximately $1.02 billion in a new barrel-aging campus in Campbellsville, Kentucky. The project has been approved for up to $2.75 million in state tax incentives and is expected to create about 50 jobs at an average hourly wage of $33.80 including benefits.

The investment follows Sazerac’s recent $1.2 billion expansion at Buffalo Trace Distillery and continued growth in Laurel County. The company is also planning a $38 million expansion at its Northwest Ordinance Distilling facility in New Albany, Indiana, which will increase production capacity for its U.S. distilled spirits portfolio. (The Northwest Ordinance Distilling facility bottles and blends brands such as Fireball) In addition, Sazerac has been on an acquisition streak, most recently purchasing Western Son Vodka and Distillery in Texas—its third brand acquisition in the past 18 months.

Sources: Lexington Herald-Leader (Oct. 21, 2025) | Lexington Herald-Leader (Oct. 20, 2025) | Just-Drinks

Bourbon and Distillery News For October 24, 2025

Westward Whiskey Celebrates Bright New Future Following Court Approval for Asset Sale

Westward Whiskey has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale of most of its assets to a group of private investors who financed the company during its bankruptcy process. The transaction, expected to close by November 3, 2025, will return the Oregon-based distillery to 100% independent ownership. CEO Thomas Mooney will remain in his role as the company moves forward following its Chapter 11 restructuring.

Westward reported 53% sales growth through September 2025 compared to the same period last year and expects continued momentum into the holiday season. One of the lead investors, Luis Fernando Leal of Aqua Ardens, was among the brand’s original backers and has served on its board of directors since 2011. westwardwhiskey.com.

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MB Roland Opens “Cave du Bourbon” Tasting Room in Cave City, Kentucky

MB Roland Distillery has opened a new tasting room, Cave du Bourbon, located in downtown Cave City, Kentucky, near Exit 53 off I-65 and just minutes from Mammoth Cave National Park. Designed with a French Quarter theme in honor of co-founder Paul’s Louisiana roots, the new location offers MB Roland’s full lineup of spirits, exclusive Cave City branded merchandise, and a selection of Cajun seasonings and sauces. The distillery’s flagship location remains on its original former Amish dairy farm in Pembroke, Kentucky. Visitors can find the new tasting room at 109 Broadway St., beside Dueling Grounds Distillery—making it easy to “park once and sip twice.” (Source: MB Roland’s Facebook page.) mbroland.com.

Elijah Craig Wraps Up Sixth Annual Old Fashioned Week

Elijah Craig Bourbon recently concluded its sixth annual Old Fashioned Week (October 10–19, 2025), a celebration of the iconic cocktail and the members of the hospitality community who make them. The event raised funds for hospitality workers across the U.S, as well as in Canada and the U.K. For every Elijah Craig Old Fashioned sold, the brand donated $1—up to $100,000—to support bar and restaurant workers in need. This year, in the US, they donated $100,000 to the Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides emergency relief and mental health services to food and beverage workers. Since its launch in 2020 and prior to this year’s event, the initiative has raised nearly $500,000 to provide emergency relief and mental health support for food and beverage professionals.

In addition, Elijah Craig and VinePair are also hosting the ongoing “New Era of the Old Fashioned Cocktail Contest”, offering bartenders a chance to win a $15,000 grand prize and publication in the upcoming Old Fashioned Week Cocktail Companion: Volume 3. Contest entries remain open through November 1, 2025. Learn more at oldfashionedweek.com.

Bourbon and Distillery News For October 24, 2025

Evan Williams Launches “Where Bourbon Begins” Campaign

Evan Williams Bourbon, the world’s second-largest selling bourbon, has unveiled its new “Where Bourbon Begins” campaign, celebrating Kentucky’s First Distiller and the craftsmanship behind authentic American whiskey. The national campaign highlights the people who make Evan Williams and the shared moments that bring bourbon culture to life, from the rickhouse to the tailgate. The new :30 spot, developed with creative agency Method1, will air nationally across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms throughout the 2025 football and basketball seasons.

As part of the campaign, Evan Williams continues to expand Bourbon Nation—its multi-year partnership with Learfield—uniting college fans through game day traditions. The brand serves as a Proud Partner and Official Bourbon or Bourbon Sponsor of major programs including Alabama, Florida, TCU, Syracuse, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina. Bourbon Nation activations include branded stadium bars, tailgate events, and in-store promotions celebrating responsible enjoyment and bourbon heritage. evanwilliams.com

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

California Passes Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Bill

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and the California Distillers Association (CDA) have announced the passage of AB 1246, a landmark direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping bill for craft distillers. Taking effect on January 1, 2026, the legislation extends temporary shipping allowances for in-state distillers and, for the first time, allows out-of-state craft distillers to ship directly into California. The bill also doubles the per-person daily sales limit from 2.25 liters to 4.5 liters and establishes new licensing and reporting requirements.

Both associations praised the bill as a major win for the industry, expanding consumer access and offering critical support to small distillers facing economic challenges. ACSA and CDA are now working with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control to finalize implementation details. Source: American Craft Spirits Association

ACSA 2025 Craft Spirits Data Project Highlights Continued Industry Contraction

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) released its 2025 Craft Spirits Data Project report, revealing that the U.S. craft spirits industry contracted sharply in 2024. The number of active craft distillers declined by 25.6%* to 2,282, with California experiencing the largest drop, down 45%. Retail sales fell to 12.7 million 9L cases (a 6.1% decrease) and $7.6 billion in value (a 3.3% decline). Craft spirits maintained a 4.5% share of U.S. spirits volume and 7.5% of total value.

Large craft producers shifted resources to focus on sales in their respective home states as well as exports. Medium-sized craft producers do the majority of business in the home state. Small craft producers focused primarily on increasing home state sales, with this channel gaining share of sales accordingly.

Exports dropped 20.7% to 142,000 cases, while total investment fell to $811 million and employment dipped slightly to 28,628 workers. Despite the downturn, ACSA noted ongoing reinvestment among producers, with sales nearly evenly split between home-state markets (48.5%) and other states (51.5%). Source: American Craft Spirits Association Press Release | 2025 Craft Spirits Data Project Summary.

*The change in number of active craft distillers in part reflects a change in research methodology and not all distillers removed from the list went out of business

Wild Turkey, The Farmlink Project, and Andrew Rea (“Babish”) Partner for Friendsgiving Campaign

Wild Turkey has launched a new Friendsgiving campaign with The Farmlink Project and YouTuber Andrew Rea (“Babish”) to raise awareness about food waste and support hunger relief efforts. As part of the initiative, Wild Turkey donated $101,000 to The Farmlink Project, which connects surplus farm produce to food banks across the U.S. The campaign also includes a Friendsgiving Sweepstakes, giving four groups of friends the chance to win a private dinner in New York City hosted by Rea, with cocktails crafted from Wild Turkey 101. Learn more about the sweepstakes at iHeartRadio.com/WildTurkey.

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New York World Spirits Competition 2025 Bourbon Winners Announced

The 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, part of The Tasting Alliance’s global series of judging events, has announced the top bourbons in several major categories:

• Best Straight Bourbon: The Garden Reserve – The Spirit of New York Sports Straight Bourbon
• Best Single Barrel Bourbon: Blanton’s Gold Edition Single Barrel Bourbon
• Best Wheated Bourbon: Green River Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
• Best Small Batch Bourbon: Peg Leg Porker Grey Label Tennessee Straight Bourbon

In addition, a Forbes article states that the Green River Wheated Bourbon was crowned Best Overall Bourbon at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition, although that does not yet appear on the NYWSC website.

More details: thetastingalliance.com

Whisky Fest New York: Whisky, Tequila & Beyond (sponsored)

Raise a glass with Whisky Advocate magazine for an unforgettable night in New York City on November 14th! Explore top whiskies, tequilas, and spirits from around the world, meet the makers behind your favorite brands, collect premium handmade cigars from six standout cigarmakers, and feast on a gourmet buffet as you sip, savor, and celebrate with friends. The event takes place at the New York Marriott Marquis in the Broadway Ballroom from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

Get tickets here and use promo code: WFFRIEND for a $75 per ticket discount

Upcoming Bourbon (and other whiskey) Events 🥃

All events take place between now and early November in Kentucky or nearby. If you have any upcoming festivals to add to the list, please contact me.

• Ohio Craft Whiskey Festival – Henmick Brewery & Farm – Delaware, OH – October 25, 2025 – More Info & Tix
• Bourbon & Bubbles – Dayton, OH – Nov 7, 2025 – More Info
• The Honor Pour – The Colony, TX – Nov 8, 2025 – More Info (free event)
• WhiskyFest NY – Nov 14, 2025 – Info & Tickets (use promo code: WFFRIEND for a $75/ticket discount)
  

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Well, that’s it! I hope you have enjoyed reading all the news in 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 Friday October 31, and the podcast and YouTube versions of this newsletter will go live on Monday October 27. 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!🥃

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!