09/01/25
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from August 2025 >> 54 Stories!

In August 2025, the bourbon and whiskey industry faced significant challenges, particularly with Gen Z’s disinterest and bankruptcies among distilleries. Despite a turbulent market, experts suggested a potential long-term recovery. Numerous distillery developments and new bottle releases continued to unfold, highlighting resilience amidst adversity.

Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 7 Stories

08/05: Kentucky’s $9B whiskey industry in crisis as Gen Z drinkers shun bourbon, tariffs take toll

08/05: Kentucky whiskey bankruptcies: Which distilleries are broke, and why

08/06: One of the World’s Biggest Spirits Companies Just Saw Its Profits Drop 28%

08/08: What Happens After a Whisky Cask Investment Company Goes Under?

08/19: InvestBev Calls Bourbon Market Adjustment a Healthy Reset — Long-Term Growth Story Remains Intact

08/22: KDA statement on return to zero tariffs on bourbon in Canada

08/26: InvestBev Founder, Brian Rosen, Asserts Trade Headwinds Cannot Derail America’s Native Spirit

Distillery News >> 13 Stories

08/01: One of America’s Biggest Whiskey Distilleries Has Seen Its Sales Plummet

08/04: Multimillion-dollar lawsuit filed against whiskey distiller Uncle Nearest

08/04: Uncle Nearest hit by $100m lawsuit

08/05: Fawn Weaver responds to lawsuit with ‘Operation Clear the Shelves’ campaign

08/05: Bourdon Spirits Company Acquires Copper & Kings from Constellation Brands

08/06: Multiple Kentucky Whiskey Distilleries File for Bankruptcy

08/12: Pursuit Spirits to Open Whiskey Row Location Aug. 14

08/12: Mixologist Molly Wellmann joins Kentucky distillery in new role

08/13: Buffalo Trace’s First-Ever Restaurant Will Serve Lunch, Cocktails, and Kentucky Charm

08/14: RD1 Spirits Ranks No. 1 in Kentucky, No. 280 Nationally on the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

08/15: Fawn Weaver loses control of Uncle Nearest

08/21: Middle West Spirits appoints former Old Elk lead as CCO

08/26: Ole Smoky Distillery Appoints Michael Novy Chief Executive Officer

Distillery Trail >> 2 Stories

08/12: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Experts Josh and Victoria Hoff of WhiskMe Transportation Share Trip Planning Advice in HelloNation

08/26: The Trail Hotel Joins Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Awards Announced >> 7 Stories

08/06: The American Whiskey Masters 2025 results

08/10: Top 5 Whiskies In The World From The International Whisky Competition 2025

08/16: The Best American Single Malt Whiskey, According To The Beverage Testing Institute

08/20: America’s Best Rye Whiskey, According To The Beverage Testing Institute

08/20: Indiana Distillery Earns Prestigious Honor During Heartland Whiskey Competition

08/26: In Era of Evolution, Michter’s Retains its Crown as World’s Most Admired Whiskey

08/26: AMERICAN DISTILLING INSTITUTE NAMES SOUTHERN DISTILLING COMPANY ‘2025 DISTILLERY OF THE YEAR’

Bourbon Festival News & Updates >> 1 Story

08/06: Cheers to 35 years: Kentucky Bourbon Festival announces 2026 dates

Bottle Releases >> 23 Stories

08/04: Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2025 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling

08/04: Jack Daniel’s Announces Launch of Tennessee Blackberry

08/04: A. Smith Bowman Abraham Bowman Oak Series Hungarian Oak

08/05: Garrison Brothers Distillery Releases Rare 8-Year Whiskey

08/06: Cedar Ridge Releases Anniversary Edition Bourbon

08/08: New Riff Revives Award-Winning Red Turkey Wheat Bourbon

08/08: One of Heaven Hill’s Most Collectible Whiskeys, Old Fitzgerald VVS, Is Back—and We Got a First Taste

08/13: Rhythm River Distillery’s new bourbon hitting store shelves on Thursday

08/14: Woodford Reserve Releases New Distillery Series: Its First American Single Malt

08/17: Taste Test: This Indiana Craft Distillery’s New Bourbon Shows How Good Hoosier Whiskey Can Be

08/18: Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX launches in tribute to Prohibition’s end

08/18: Old Forester’s Beloved Birthday Bourbon 2025: 12 years old, 92 proof and sweet mash

08/19: Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Returns in 2025 – A Masterful Blend of the Brand’s Oldest Bourbons

08/19: FOUR ROSES SET TO LAUNCH 2025 LIMITED EDITION SMALL BATCH ON SEPTEMBER 3

08/19: Michter’s Continues Its Toasted Barrel Finish Series With Launch of 2025 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Sour Mash

08/19: Buzzard’s Roost Distillery Introduces New Cigar Blend Bourbon

08/19: Blue Run Spirits Unveils “Glimmer” — A Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Gin Barrels

08/21: Penelope Bourbon introduces the 2025 Estate Collection

08/22: Baker’s Bourbon Releases Limited 13 Year Old Single Barrel

08/26: Bardstown Bourbon Reveals 2025 Annual Releases: Discovery #13 & Ferrand II

08/27: Pursuit Spirits Releases Highly Limited Old Anvil Bourbon

08/27: Union Horse Distilling Co. Announces Year-Round Release of Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey to Their Stable of Brands

08/28: Heaven Hill Distillery Debuts Artist Series Collection for Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Featuring Kentucky Artist Bri Bowers

Book Releases >> 1 Preview

Expected 09/09: The Whiskey Bible: A Definitive Guide to the World’s Most Storied Spirit” by Noah Rothbaum