01/01/26
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer
Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from December 2025 >> 50 Stories!
In December 2025, the bourbon and whiskey industry faced diverse developments, including American whiskey’s production decline, strategic partnerships, and bankruptcy filings. Notable awards highlighted the year’s best spirits. Upcoming festivals and new bottle releases signaled ongoing market engagement, while global trends indicated growing barrel demand for 2026.
Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 12 Stories
12/01: Meet the Next Generation of Japanese Whisky Producers
12/03: Tariffs, Surpluses And Soft Demand—What’s Going On With American Whiskey?
12/04: Whiskey maker Brown-Forman tops Q2 sales estimates, sticks to annual targets
12/05: DUNAMIS PREMIUM SPIRITS AWAKENS SLEEPING GIANTS
12/09: How U.S. Distillers Are Weathering the Tariff Turmoil
12/09: Misunderstood Brands Announces Strategic Partnership with Lofted Spirits
12/10: World Spirits Report 2025: Scotch whisky
12/11: Brewery and distillery search engine launches
12/11: World Spirits Report 2025: American whiskey
12/11: American Whiskey Production Has Plummeted to a New Low
12/29: The Whiskey Trends That Defined 2025, From Ultra-Aged Bourbon to Smaller Formats
12/30: Global Demand Surge: The Growing Market for Used Whiskey, Wine & Rum Barrels in 2026
Distillery News >> 9 Stories
12/01: Luca Mariano Distillery files for bankruptcy
12/01: Building on tradition: How Holladay Distillery continues its legacy in Kansas City and beyond
12/10: Brother’s Bond Bourbon Wraps 2025 With Strong Global Growth and Market Momentum
12/11: KDA Announces Benson Valley Bourbon as Newest Member
12/11: Maker’s Mark nets first sports league sponsorship with Unrivaled
12/20: Why Is Jack Daniel’s So Cheap? The Mystery Behind America’s Best-Selling Whiskey
12/22: Jim Beam to pause production at its main distillery on Jan. 1
12/29: What Does ‘MGP’ Mean in American Whiskey?
12/30: Bardstown Bourbon Again Winds ENERGY STAR Certification
Distillery Trail >> 2 Stories
12/03: The Ingram Distillery Opening for Tours in 2026, Including The Chartered Experience
12/08: WhistlePig ‘crashes’ Louisville’s Bourbon district
Awards Announced >> 10 Stories
12/02: The World’s Best Scotch Whisky from the Top Shelf Awards Gala 2025
12/02: Best Value Whiskies From The Top Shelf Awards Gala 2025
12/05: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye Named Whisky Advocate’s 2025 “Whisky of the Year”
12/08: Award-Winning Whisky Design: Meet the 4 ‘Master’ Bottles of 2025
12/08: Starlight Distillery wins top honors at San Francisco World Spirits Competition
12/10: The World’s Best American Single Malt Whiskey, According To BevTest
12/10: Distillery in Colorado wins “America’s Greatest Whiskey” award at International Spirits Competition
12/18: 2025’s Best World Whiskey, According To The Council Of Whiskey Masters
12/31: The 100 Best Whiskeys of 2025, Ranked
Bourbon Festival News & Updates >> 6 Upcoming
Feb: Bourbon Classic, Louisville KY
Mar: New Orleans Bourbon Festival
May: BBQ & Barrels, Owensboro KY
Sep: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown KY
Sep: Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville KY
Bottle Releases >> 11 Stories
12/02: Wilderness Trail Distillery Debuts 6-Year-Old Private Barrel Offering
12/03: Ole Smoky® Distillery Announces Launch of New Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
12/03: WhistlePig’s 30-Year-Old BigShəBäng Rewrites North American Malt Whiskey History
12/05: Old Forester Honors its Prohibition Legacy with New 117 Series Release
12/09: Liberty Pole to Release Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
12/10: Chattanooga Whiskey Opens Up Their Experimental Vault For Three New Releases
12/10: Garrison Brothers Releases 2025 Cowboy Bourbon
12/11: Midleton rounds off 200th anniversary with 28YO whiskey
12/19: One of the Top American Craft Distilleries Just Brought Back One of Its Best Whiskeys
Book Releases >> 0 Titles
Your Bourbon Journey 