04/01/26
Curated by Rebecca Herman
Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from Marh 2026 >> 72 Stories!
In March 2026, the bourbon and whiskey industry saw significant developments, including Brown-Forman exceeding quarterly estimates, discussions of legalizing home distilling, and notable distillery updates. Key events included ongoing mergers, new product releases, and various festivals planned for the upcoming months, highlighting an active market landscape.
For those who need the ‘Executive Summary’ before diving into the details, I’ve launched a new curated series: The Proof Report. It distills this month’s massive news cycle into two clear categories: the industry’s strategic Purpose and the monthly liquid Proof. Read The Proof Report for March 2026.
Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 8 Stories
03/04: Whiskey maker Brown-Forman tops quarterly estimates on steady demand
03/06: Federal case could legalize home distilling, reshape congressional power
03/09: Whisky drags control state spirits sales down in January
03/23: Bourbon and Cognac Market Is Going to Boom | Brown-Forman • Diageo • Pernod Ricard
03/24: Casks and Consequences: The Debate Over Buying Whiskey Barrels
03/26: Is Jack parent company Brown-Forman for sale?
03/26: Kentucky whiskey company Brown-Forman confirms it’s talked merger with Pernod Ricard
03/27: 5 Expert-Recommended Craft Whiskey Producers To Watch In 2026
Distillery News >> 13 Stories
03/02: Woodinville Whiskey unveils new packaging
03/02: MGP Ingredients hit by American whiskey glut, squeeze on cheaper brands in 2025 – results
03/04: Kentucky Distillers’ Association Adds Prova Spirits as Newest Member
03/09: Sazerac Co takes control of shuttered Kentucky whiskey distillery
03/10: Uncle Nearest allegedly hid $20m loan provided by Jay-Z
03/12: Brown-Forman CEO wagers on Woodford
03/16: Ex-Diageo VP joins Redwood Empire Whiskey
03/18: 159-year-old whiskey brand files disputed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
03/19: Kings County celebrates one-millionth bottle sale
03/19: MGP Is Now Letting You Pick Barrels of Whiskey From Its Master Distiller’s Private Collection
03/23: Highly acclaimed Remus Bourbon introduces the Remus Bottle Club
03/30: Kentucky Distillery Green River Lays Off Its Head Distiller as American Whiskey Woes Continue
Distillery Trail >> 2 Stories
03/26: The Tennessee Whiskey Trail Launches A New Food-Focused Experience With 40+ Restaurants
03/30: A New Era at Jeptha Creed: Expanded Distillery Experiences Arrive In 2026
Awards Announced >> 6 Stories
03/04: 2026 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Challenge Announces Winners
03/06: DISCUS 2026 Awards Honors Industry Leaders
03/19: KDA Honors Sen. Julie Raque Adams with 100 Proof Award
03/20: KDA Honors Rep. Derek Lewis with 100 Proof Award
03/23: KDA Honors Rep. Stephen West with 100 Proof Award
03/29: This $90 Atlanta Bourbon Won Best Whiskey at the 2026 WSWA Wine & Spirits Tasting Competition
Bourbon Festival News,Updates, & Planning >> This Month’s Updates > 3
May 2026: BBQ & Barrels, Owensboro KY
June 2026: National Bourbon Week Set to Return June 14-21
Aug 2027: Missouri Bourbon Festival, Hermann MO
Sep 2026: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown KY
- 03/09: Kentucky Bourbon Festival to Celebrate 35th Anniversary
- 03/18: Kentucky Bourbon Festival Announces Ticket On Sale Date For 2026
Sep 2026: Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville KY
Oct 2026: Bourbon on the Banks, Frankfort KY
Jan 2027: BourbonCon, Lexington KY
Feb 2027: Bourbon Classic, Louisville KY
Mar 2026: New Orleans Bourbon Festival
Bottle Releases >> xx Stories
03/01: Michter’s Bet Early on an Annual 10-Year Bourbon — and the 2026 Release Shows Why That Call Endured
03/02: Pursuit Spirits Captures the Emergence of Spring with Sakura Bloom Bourbon
03/03: Heaven Hill Distillery Announces 2026 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection Release
03/03: Hard Truth Launches Three New Whiskey Expressions
03/04: Woodford Reserve Releases 2026 Kentucky Derby Bottle
03/06: Augusta Distillery Launches Small Batch & Wheated Bourbons
03/06: New Riff Announces 6-Year-Old Silver Grove Bourbon & Rye
03/09: Midleton Releases Last of its Silent Distillery Collection
03/09: Maker’s Mark Unveils 2026 Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release
03/09: Milam & Greene Launches Bluebonnet Bourbon, a Texas-Aged Release Honoring Lady Bird Johnson’s Legacy
03/10: Rock Town Distillery Announces Inaugural Winners Circle 2026 Bourbon Release
03/10: Remus Bourbon Introduces Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2, Its First-Ever Wheat Whiskey
03/10: Heaven Hill’s New Bourbon Comes From the Final Barrels Aged in One of Its Historic Warehouses
03/11: Barrell Craft Spirits® Introduces its First Cigar Blend Bourbon
03/11: Kentucky Senator Releases Jim Bunning Edition
03/11: Lux Row Distillers introduces Lux Row Estate Bourbon
03/11: Frey Ranch Distillery Adds To Its Core Line Up With The Launch Of Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Rye
03/11: Lost Lantern Releases High-Low Collection
03/12: Evan Williams® Expands Award-Winning Flavors Lineup with New Evan Williams Blackberry
03/12: Garrison Brothers Announces Launch of 2026 Lady Bird Bourbon
03/16: B.R. Distilling Company Announces its Third Annual Limited-Release of Blue Note Special Reserve
03/17: Bardstown Bourbon Distillery Reserve Returns with Unique Barrel Finish
03/17: Jim Beam Just Dropped Its First Booker’s Bourbon Batch of the Year—and It’s a Good One
03/18: Elijah Craig Introduces 15-Year-Old Bourbon, a New Addition to Its Renowned Single Barrel Lineup
03/18: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. Releases 10-Year-Old Bourbon
03/19: Buffalo Trace Traveller Whiskey Full Proof
03/20: Announcing Shortbarrel Afterswarm Meadowfoam
03/24: Lux Row Distillers announces the arrival of Blood Oath Pact 12 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
03/24: Buffalo Trace Releases Daniel Weller Spelt Wheat
03/24: Jack Daniel’s Introduces New Batches of Award-Winning Aged Series Tennessee Whiskeys
03/25: Horse Soldier Bourbon Unveils Liberty Edition
03/27: Larrikin Bourbon Releases 3rd Annual ‘Pour for the Roses’ For Kentucky Derby
03/31: Knob creek® debuts blender’s edition, a limited series celebrating the art of blending
Book Releases >> 2 Titles
Your Bourbon Journey 