06/01/25
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from May 2025 >> 56 Stories!

In May 2025, the bourbon and whiskey industry experienced significant events, including record U.S. spirit exports and numerous distillery developments. Several prestigious awards were given at international competitions, reflecting the industry’s excellence. The month also saw new product launches and festival updates, highlighting the growing interest in whiskey culture.

Industry Market News & Related Announcements >> 6 Stories

05/08: U.S. Spirit Exports Hit A Record High In 2024, But Tariffs Threaten To Curtail Growth

05/12: Kentucky tourism leaders stay optimistic amid global uncertainty

05/16: The Council of Whiskey Masters Names 16 New Masters Of Scotch, Masters Of Bourbon And Masters Of Whiskey

05/21: 10 stories on Kentucky bourbon’s industry, culture and challenges in 2025

05/26: United States Whiskey Market Size to Reach USD 26.1 Billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 4.5%

05/26: Strong Growth Ahead: Bourbon Spirits Market Size To Grow At Arecord 6.5% Cagr By 2029

Distillery News >> 12 Stories

05/03: Nation’s oldest distillery works to recover from historic Kentucky floods

05/05: James E. Pepper Distillery played a key role in Lexington’s bourbon legacy

05/06: Willett Distillery expands distribution to Michigan

05/08: Traveller Whiskey becomes the first official whiskey of MLB

05/08: Heaven Hill Brands promotes longtime whiskey ambassador Bernie Lubbers

05/13: Middle West Spirits Expands National Footprint with Acquisition of Old Elk

05/13: Lofted Spirits Elevates Dan Callaway to Master Blender

05/14: RD1 Spirits Opens Immersive Brand Destination Distillery in Lexington, KY

05/28: The Centuries-Old Distillery That Makes Costco’s Kirkland Signature Bourbon

05/29: Horse Soldier Bourbon to open Kentucky distillery

05/30: Maker’s Mark Isn’t Just Crafting Whisky, It’s Building an Ecosystem

05/30: Bourbon veteran fired by Garrard County snapped by another Kentucky distillery

Distillery Trail >> 6 Stories

05/07: RD1 Spirits Joins Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour

05/09: Explore the Beauty and History of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

05/16: Here are 5 repurposed buildings that have been turned into distilleries in Louisville

05/22: Oxmoor Bourbon Company Names Tim Knittel GM

05/29: Bardstown’s Newest Hotel Is a Bourbon Lover’s Dream

05/29: New whiskey tasting room coming to NuLu in 2025. Here’s where to find it

Awards Announced >> 9 Stories

05/04: This Bourbon Beat Every Other Whiskey at the 2025 London Spirits Competition

05/05: St. Louis distillery wins top whiskey award with brewery collaboration

05/08: Chicken Cock Ryeteous Blonde is Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

05/09: Ohio distilleries win 29 medals at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

05/09: Wenzel Whiskey wins multiple golds at World Spirits Competition

05/14: Colorado whiskey named ‘America’s greatest’ at international spirits competition

05/14: New Riff Distilling Brings Home 12 Medals from Prestigious International Spirits Competition

05/26: The world’s best whiskey—according to the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Awards

05/30: The ADI International Spirits Competition’s Best Bourbons of 2025

Bourbon Festival News & Updates >> 4 Stories

ONGOING: Bourbon & Beyond announces 2025 Music Lineup

04/23: Kentucky Bourbon Festival Sold Out – Waitlist Option

05/12: Bourbon and BBQ Festival ‘Sauced’ Returns to Factory 52 This Summer

05/19: When is National Bourbon Week? Here are 5 things to know and do to celebrate this year

Bottle Releases >> 17 Stories

05/01: 2XO Releases New Vinyl Blend Bourbon

05/02: Filmland Spirits Releases MOONLIGHT MAYHEM! 2 The White Port Wolf

05/04: It’s Official: E.H. Taylor Is Now Part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

05/06: Heaven Hill Distillery® Announces Release of 2025 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Launches Family Farms First™ Initiative

05/06: Mississippi’s First Legal Distillery Launches Premium Wheat Whiskey

05/07: Heaven Hill Releases Spring 2025 Old Fitzgerald

05/08: World Whiskey Society Unveils Limited Edition 12-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey in Black Currant Brandy Cask

05/08: Hard Truth Distilling Co. & Mellencamp Whiskey Co. Release American Odd Sweet Mash Straight Bourbon Whiskey

05/10: Elijah Craig’s Latest Barrel Proof Bourbon Is Here, and It’s the Oldest Release in Nearly 2 Years

05/14: Jim Beam’s Knob Creek Just Unveiled New Cask-Strength Single-Barrel Whiskeys

05/14: Blue Run Spirits Announces Third Flight Series Releases

05/15: New Riff Unveils Dual Release of Decade Old Whiskeys

05/19: Green River Distilling Co. Celebrates U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary with Commemorative Whiskey Release

05/20: The World’s Most Admired Whiskey Announces 2025 Release of Michter’s 10 Year Rye

05/21: Rebel Bourbon and Childress Vineyards introduce Rebel 100 Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc Barrel Finish

05/21: Groundbreaking 5-Year Bourbon Climate Experiment by Milam & Greene called “The Answer” Introduced

05/29: Evan Williams Bourbon Announces 2025 Class of American-Made Heroes to Be Featured on Bottles Nationwide

Book Releases >> 2 Stories

05/05: Mary Dowling Whiskey Releases ‘Mother of Bourbon’ Book

05/07: Smoke & Oak Explores the Intertwined Legacy of Bourbon and Cigars–and Offers a First-of-Its-Kind Pairing Guide