05/06/26
Curated by Rebecca Herman
Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from April 2026 >> 71 Stories!
In April 2026, the bourbon and whiskey industry faced challenges, including a significant drop in U.S. whiskey exports and falling sales. Despite this, innovations and expansions were seen with numerous bottle releases and new distillery ventures. Women increasingly impacted the market, signaling a dynamic shift in the industry landscape.
For those who need the ‘Executive Summary’ before diving into the details, please see my 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 HERE!
Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 12 Stories
04/01: US whiskey exports to EU plunge 35% in 2025
04/01: Bourbon: Kentucky Bourbon Faces a Shifting Market
04/02: Trump Tariffs Hit American Whiskey Exports Hard, Data Shows
04/07: American whiskey sales fall 19% year-on-year
04/07: Lofted Spirits president steps down
04/09: Canadian distillery reports ‘immense growth’ after provinces pull U.S. liquors
04/11: Fifth Circuit Strikes Down Federal Law Banning Home Alcohol Distilleries
04/15: Report: Sazerac offers $15B for Brown-Forman
04/16: Pernod says Brown-Forman talks ‘ongoing’ after reported rival offer
04/20: Women take the lead in whiskey as more female drinkers and distillers change the industry
04/27: Distilled Spirits Council Announces Spirit Forward Campaign
Distillery News >> 10 Stories
04/01: Green River cuts head distiller role
04/02: GALLO Completes Acquisition of Four Roses Bourbon From Kirin Holdings
04/03: Fresh Bourbon Wins Appeal In Legal Battle With Brough Brothers Over ‘First Black-Owned’ Claim
04/07: Kentucky Artisan Distillery Unveils 15- and 25-Gallon Single Barrel Program
04/08: MGP halts production at Kentucky distilleries
04/14: Autumn Nethery Named Vice President of Operations of PaPaw’s Ridge
04/17: Kentucky distiller charged with criminal loan deception
04/25: Green River Distilling navigating industry headwinds while maintaining growth, local commitment
04/29: High West names Isaac Winter as new master distiller
Distillery Trail >> 6 Stories
04/07: Kentucky Bourbon Trail maintains strong visitation numbers
04/10: Louisville Tourism debuts ‘The Bourbon City Companion’
04/21: Buffalo Trace Distillery Announces the Grand Opening of the John G. Carlisle Cafe
04/21: Cave City joins the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with new distillery
04/30: A new era at Jeptha Creed: Expanded distillery experiences arrive in 2026
Awards Announced >> 5 Stories
04/11: Whiskey Judges Describe the World’s Best Bourbon as ‘Vanilla Cookie’—and It Costs Only $40
04/21: The Best Whiskeys According To The Denver International Spirits Competition 2026
04/22: The Best American Whiskeys From The London Spirits Competition 2026
04/28: The Best Rye Whiskeys According To The Denver International Spirits Competition 2026
04/28: The Top Double Gold Winning Whiskeys From The Denver International Spirits Competition 2026
Bourbon Festival News,Updates, & Planning >> 9 Festivals >> This Month’s Updates > 2
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
- Sold out! Waitlist is a possibility.
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 >> 36 Stories
04/01: Hard Truth Launches First Barrel Finish Reserve of 2026: French Oak Finish
04/01: Knob Creek Debuts Blender’s Edition, a Limited Series Celebrating the Art of Blending
04/01: Angel’s Envy sees double with cask strength whiskeys
04/02: New Riff and Rhinegeist Harmonize with DUET American Whiskey Collaboration
04/03: Michter’s Legacy Series 2026 Is Here — and It’s as Experimental as Ever
04/06: Buffalo Trace Just Released 2 New Experimental Whiskeys — Including a 15-Year Bourbon for $47
04/07: Redemption Whiskey Unveils Bold New Packaging, Reformulated Bourbon, and Its Next Act
04/08: Basil Hayden Unveils Golden Rye & Refreshes Portfolio Structure
04/14: Hard Truth Distilling Co. announces Mizunara Finished Wheated Bourbon release
04/14: Casey Jones Distillery Launches Revere Bourbon
04/16: Buffalo Trace Debuts Eagle Rare 30, Its Oldest Bourbon Yet
04/16: Elijah Craig Launches 108-Proof 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Bourbon
04/19: A Georgia Distillery Is Reinventing Amaro With A Southern Twist
04/21: First Release of Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash Kentucky Whiskey
04/21: Jack Daniel’s Debuts High Proof, Small Batch Rye from Three Unique Barrelhouse Locations
04/21: B.R. Distilling Company Announces Blue Note Small Batch Wheated Bourbon Blend
04/22: Maker’s Mark Celebrates Flavor from Nature with the Return Of Star Hill Farm Whisky 2026
04/22: Hooten Young to Release 6-Year Single Barrel
04/22: Four Roses Is Dropping a Trio of New Bourbons in Its Popular Single-Barrel Lineup
04/22: Pursuit Spirits Chosen For The 2026 Whiskey Row Series Private Selection
04/23: Wenzel’s Award-Winning Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon Is Back
04/27: A. Smith Bowman Releases First Rye Whiskey In 16 Years
04/28: Jeptha Creed Distillery Unveils Upcoming Release of Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
04/28: Starlight Distillery Releases New Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
04/29: Bardstown Bourbon Company Turns Any Bottle into a Personalized Gifting Experience
04/29: Virginia Distillery Co. Introduces ‘The Split Barrel Project’
04/29: Wigle Whiskey Releases 2026 Runner of Steel Bourbon
04/30: Stitzel-Weller Distillery Unveils Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
04/30: Koopers Whiskey Releases 10-Year Rye
04/30: Chicken Cock Whiskey Introduces Old Glory Kentucky Straight Rye
Book Releases >> No new publications.
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