11/01/25
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from October 2025 >> 64 Stories!

In October 2025, the bourbon and whiskey industry faced challenges, including a drop in whiskey production and U.S. exports. Distillers struggled with tariffs and changing consumer preferences. Despite difficulties, notable milestones included aging barrels reaching a record in Kentucky and significant investment announcements from major distilleries. New whiskey releases generated interest as well.

Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 12 Stories

10/01: Whiskey Production Has Hit Its Lowest Level Since 2019

10/06: Cold shoulder from Canada is costly for American distillers struggling with global trade tensions

10/06: American distillers call for ‘zero-for-zero trading environment’ as exports fall

10/06: US spirits exports tumble as drinkers shun American brands, industry warns

10/09: Distillers group reports skyrocketing aging barrel taxes, amid tariff challenges

10/09: Kentucky reaches bourbon milestone with record 16.1 million barrels aging across Commonwealth

10/16: U.S. liquor consumption plummets, Canadian products not seeing proportional boost: Spirits Canada

10/22: Whiskey Market Size Is Likely To Reach a Valuation of Around $86.38 Billion by 2027

10/22: US craft distillery numbers drop 25%

10/23: Whiskey Company Scales Back Operations, Citing ‘Consumer Shifts’ Toward Marijuana As Alcohol Alternative

10/24: Distilleries Navigate Solvency Issues Following Covid Sales Boom

10/31: Whiskey glut weighs on MGP as Q3 sales fall 19%

Distillery News >> 12 Stories

10/01: Buffalo Trace fills nine-millionth barrel

10/03: A drink with… Lisa Roper Wicker, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co

10/05: Distilling up new trends: American Single Malt Whiskey in Montana

10/05: Jack Daniel’s cuts off free cattle feed to Tennessee farmers after 45 years, could destroy local town. Who’s at fault?

10/06: Hollywood’s ‘first’ official distillery opens in LA

10/17: Heaven Hill’s New $200m Distillery: What It Really Means for Bourbon Fans

10/17: Sazerac investing $38M to expand in New Albany with 25 new jobs

10/21: Investors save Westward Whiskey from bankruptcy

10/23: Buffalo Trace’s Parent Company Is Investing $1 Billion to Expand Despite Industry Struggles

10/23: Uncle Nearest Founders Push Back Against Expanded Court Control Amid Receivership Battle

10/26: Castle & Key Distillery appointments Moore as plant manager

10/26: Four Roses parent company considering $1 Billion sale

Distillery Trail >> 5 Stories

10/02: A New Era for “The Famous Old Brand” Begins in Louisville: Chicken Cock Whiskey Opening Tasting Room in NuLu

10/03: Buffalo Trace Distillery creates new dining experience for guests

10/03: Casey Jones Distillery Launches Bottle-Your-Own Experience

10/23: Top Tier Bourbon Tours Highlights Fall Conditions for Bourbon Tours in Louisville, KY

10/24: Nashville distillery tour among the best in the country per USA TODAY. See where it ranked

Awards Announced >> 2 Stories

10/23: Green River Wheated Bourbon named ‘World’s Best Bourbon’ at New York competition

10/26: 7 Craft Bourbons That Just Won Big at the ADI Awards

Bourbon Festival News & Updates >> None

Bottle Releases >> 23 Stories

10/01: ANGEL’S ENVY RELEASES A 10 YEAR CASK STRENGTH, THE BRAND’S FIRST AGE-STATED WHISKEY

10/01: Town Branch IMPERIUM MMXXV Kentucky Straight Bourbon Release 50% Wheated Bourbon Blend

10/01: Widow Jane Distillery Releases 2025 The Vaults

10/02: Woodford Reserve releases its highest proof rye whiskey ever.

10/02: Sagamore Spirit Debuts Their First High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey

10/02: Tennessee Whiskey Trail Launches Tennessee Collective

10/02: World Whiskey Society 16-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

10/07: The Ingram Distillery Proudly Introduces 2025 Flagship Bourbon

10/07: Buzzard’s Roost to Release Jim Gaffigan Collab Bourbon

10/08: The 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Is Here — With Its First New Addition in Nearly Two Decades

10/09: Copperworks Distilling Co. Releases an Ultra-Rare, Limited Release Whiskey Eleven Years in the Making

10/13: Milam & Greene Releases Guadalupe Bass Bourbon

10/13: Pursuit Spirits Releases Kodama Mizunara Bourbon

10/14: Heaven Hill Distillery Announces First Release of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass® Specialty Barrel Series

10/15: Russell’s Reserve Releases Camp Nelson E Bourbon

10/21: Liberty Pole Spirits Announces a Season of Exceptional Whiskey Releases Just in Time for the Holidays

10/22: Jack Daniel’s Tanyard Hill Rye Climbs to a Fiery 148.8 Proof

10/23: Hardin’s Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Unveils the Warehouse Series: A Three-Part Exploration of Flavor and Discovery

10/28: Ross & Squibb Releases 2025 Remus Gatsby Reserve

10/28: Knob Creek 21-Year Is Here — the Oldest Whiskey Ever From James B. Beam Distilling Co.

10/29: Bloomington’s oldest whiskey to be released by Cardinal Spirits, who won USA Today awards

10/30: Jeptha Creed Distillery Unveils The Fourth Edition of Red, White & Blue Bourbon

10/30: Town Branch Releases 16-Year Single Malt

Book Releases >> 1 Story

10/05: The World’s Best Whiskey—According To The Author Of ‘The Whisky World Tour’