Hidden Gem in Frankfort? J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery

Master the Art of Bourbon Blending: Our J. Mattingly Experience 🥃

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! In Episode 55 of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes, we’re taking you inside the cellar at J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, for a deep dive into their legendary Master Blending Experience.

Join Wayne and Rebecca as we relive our visit to Distillery No. 58 on our journey. We go behind the scenes with our guide, Dakota, to thieve whiskey directly from the barrels and craft our own custom blends. From navigating mash bills and proofs to finding that perfect 116-proof sweet spot, we share the exact “50/30/20” formulas we used to create our anniversary bottles: “St. Patrick’s Day 2024” and “Luck of the Irish.”

In this episode, you’ll discover:

The Blending Process: How to use a whiskey thief and mix components for the perfect mouthfeel and viscosity.

Tasting Notes: A side-by-side comparison of our two-year-old “married” blends—one leaning floral and nutty, the other rich with dark cocoa and cinnamon.

Pro Tip: Why J. Mattingly is the perfect “double” to pair with your Buffalo Trace visit (it’s right across the street!).

The Personal Touch: A heartwarming story about the incredible hospitality and the “hat pins” that made this visit unforgettable.

Whether you’re a Certified Bourbon Steward or just starting your own bourbon journey, this blending experience is a must-do in Kentucky.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#BourbonJourney #JMattingly1845 #WhiskeyBlending #KentuckyBourbonTrail #BourbonTasting #FrankfortKY #CraftWhiskey #BourbonReview #WhiskeyThief #StraightBourbon #BourbonLovers #MasterBlender #BourbonTrail #YourBourbonJourney #WhiskeyExperience

Bourbon & Whiskey News: January 2026

02/02/26
Curated by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Bourbon & Whiskey Industry Highlights from January 2026 >> 48 Stories!

In January 2026, the bourbon and whiskey industry experienced notable developments, including the announcement of a new Leadership Academy by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, significant investments in Kentucky tourism, ongoing distillery closures, and a rising global bourbon market. Additionally, various distilleries celebrated awards and new product releases.

01/06: Kentucky Distillers’ Association announces 2026 Leadership Academy Class

01/08: US spirits bankruptcies pile pressure on bar menus

0/17: Kentucky’s Tourism Industry Surpasses Fourteen Billion USD with Record Growth in 2024-2026, Highlighting Bourbon, Arts, and Outdoor Recreation

01/18: Kentucky Tourism Transformation: One Hundred Eighteen Million USD in Investments to Revitalize Lexington, Louisville, and Beyond—Big Projects Begin in 2026!

01/20: More Bourbon Distilleries Are Closing. So What Happens to the Whiskey?

01/21: Kentucky Distillers’ Association Names New 2026 Board

01/21: Major Spirits Brands Are Sitting on a Massive $22 Billion Glut of Unsold Inventory: Report

01/22: Global Bourbon Whiskey Market Set to Reach $13.81 Billion by 2032 with a 7.4% CAGR

01/22: Best Online Bourbon Price Comparison Website

01/06: Jackson Purchase Distillery Wins Sustainability Award

01/07: Ownership transition at Iron Fish Distillery aims for continued success

01/08: Uncle Nearest Founders Accuse Former CFO of Fraud in New Lawsuit

01/08: Group interested in acquiring Uncle Nearest assets

01/09: Kentucky distillery boosting local economy in face of tariffs on bourbon

01/13: Casey Jones Distillery to enter new ownership, local brand to be preserved

01/13: B3 Beverage Adds Casey Jones Distillery to Their Family

01/16: Bankrupt Luca Mariano Distillery seeks buyer

01/16: Acclaimed Distillery Kentucky Owl Faces an Uncertain Future

01/19: Tennessee’s Company Distilling names CEO

01/19: Sustainability, creativity, drinkability: Inside Stillwagon Distillery

01/19: Buzzard’s Roost targets double-digit growth in 2026

01/19: Parent company of Kentucky Owl bourbon files for bankruptcy, moves to liquidate operations

01/20: ABD to acquire distillery in $7.7m deal

01/23: Top 10 distillery openings of 2025

01/24: Craft Whiskey Makers Are Turning to Heirloom Grains — Here Are 7 Bottles to Try

01/27: Lofted Spirits unveils fresh Bardstown Bourbon Co packaging

01/06: 6 Distillers Turning Virginia Into A Must-Visit Bourbon Destination

01/22: A First-Timer’s Guide to Soaking Up Louisville’s Bourbon Scene

01/22: Former home of bourbon great E.H. Taylor turned into boutique Ky. hotel

01/23: 7 Things You Should Know About Castle & Key, the Kentucky Distillery Housed in a Stunning Castle

01/29: Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adds 10 New Destinations

Awards Announced >> 3 Stories

01/10: 9 Standout Bourbons Crowned at the New Orleans Spirits Competition

01/21: Windsor-made whisky named Canadian Whisky of the Year

01/29: The World’s Best Whiskies of 2026: World Whiskies Awards Winners

Bourbon Festival News, Updates, & Planning >> 6

Feb 2026: Bourbon Classic, Louisville KY

Mar 2026: New Orleans Bourbon Festival

May 2026: BBQ & Barrels, Owensboro KY

Sep 2026: Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Bardstown KY

Sep 2026: Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville KY

Jan 2027: BourbonCon, Lexington KY

01/08: New Riff announces Single Malted Rye

01/08: Wyoming Whiskey Releases Highly Limited Barrel Strength #6429

01/12: Woodford Reserve and Compartés Return With Limited-Edition S’mores Chocolate Bar

01/13: Rebel Bourbon brings back Rebel Root Beer

01/16: One of Old Forester’s Most Popular Limited-Edition Bourbons Is Back

01/22: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Bourbon Now Comes With An Age Statement

01/26: The Founders of Green Brier Distillery Just Relaunched Their Premium Bourbon Brand

01/27: Garrison Brothers to Release its First-Ever Bottled in Bond

Neeley Family Distillery Old Jett Flight: Full Review

Neely Family Distillery’s Old Jet Bourbon Flight: 5 Unique Barrel Finishes! 🥃

Happy Monday, Bourbon Family! Today Your Bourbon Journey is taking a deep dive into the Old Jet line from Neeley Family Distillery. We’re spending January opening up the “2025 Vault”—bottles we picked up late last year but haven’t had the chance to share with you until now.

Named in honor of the 19th-century Jett Brothers Distilling Company, these “Old Jet” expressions by Royce Neeley bridge the gap between Kentucky history and modern finishing techniques. From a bright Sake barrel finish to a powerhouse 41-month Toasted French Oak, this flight is full of surprises!

🥃 The “Old Jet” Flight Lineup:

  • Sake Barrel Finish
    • Time: 8 Months | Proof: 101 | Mash Bill: High Rye
    • Notes: Light, bright, and fruity—the perfect “spring” bourbon.
  • Amarone & New Toasted French Oak
    • Time: 7 Months | Proof: 100 | Mash Bill: High Rye
    • Notes: A beautiful marriage of red wine grape notes and sweet vanilla.
  • Red Port Wine Barrel Finish
    • Time: 22 Months | Proof: 106.7 | Mash Bill: Wheated
    • Notes: Dark, deep, and jammy—like a fine Tawny port.
  • Maple Syrup Barrel Finish
    • Time: 7 Months | Proof: 107 | Mash Bill: Wheated
    • Notes: Rich and viscous without being overly sweet; the ultimate breakfast bourbon.
  • New Toasted French Oak
    • Time: 41 Months | Proof: 127.24 | Mash Bill: High Rye
    • Notes: A powerhouse bottle with creamy French vanilla custard and bold wood notes.

📍 Visit Neeley Family Distillery:

If you’re traveling between Cincinnati and Louisville on I-71, make sure to stop by Sparta, KY (near the Kentucky Speedway). Royce and Rebekah are doing incredible things with pot-distilled, uncut, and unfiltered spirits. Tell ’em Wayne and Rebekah from Your Bourbon Journey sent you!

Shop Online: Neeley Family Distillery Website

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#Bourbon #WhiskeyTasting #OldJet #NeeleyFamilyDistillery #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTube #FinishedBourbon #CraftDistillery #BourbonJourney #MapleBourbon #WineFinishedWhiskey #SakeFinish #ToastedOak #BourbonLovers

Blind Barrels XVI Best of the Best Blind Tasting Results

Is it a Buy? Blind Barrels Release XVI “Best of the Best” Tasting! 🥃

Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into Blind Barrels Release XVI, aptly titled “The Best of the Best.” This curated box features standout picks from award-winning craft distilleries, and we’re putting our palates to the test to see if we can identify these mystery pours.

From a rare bourbon finished on local wood to a high-proof whiskey ranked in the Top 20 of 2025 by Whiskey Advocate, this flight is full of surprises! Are these regional gems worth the hunt? Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each mystery pour to decide: Is it a BUY?

🕵️ The Mystery Lineup (Revealed in Video!):

  • Sample A: A unique bourbon from the “Cherry Capital of the World,” finished on toasted cherry wood staves for a bright, floral profile.
  • Sample B: An “out of this world” 100-proof, four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon released to celebrate a total solar eclipse.
  • Sample C: A 115-proof American Single Malt from the ADI “Distillery of the Year,” aged for 7 years and rarely seen outside its home state.
  • Sample D: A powerhouse 125-proof Wheat Whiskey from Ohio, recently honored as one of the most prestigious spirits in the world for 2025.

Enjoying the journey? If you like honest whiskey talk and real-world buying advice, hit SUBSCRIBE and the bell to join us for every pour!

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✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

✅ Visit: https://yourbourbonjourney.com  for additional stories to enhance Your Bourbon Journey!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers or Blind Barrels for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#WhiskeyTasting #BourbonJourney #BlindBarrels #BourbonReview #WhiskeyLover #CraftDistillery #AmericanSingle Malt #CaskStrength #BourbonLife #CraftWhiskey #WhiskeyAdvocate #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyCommunity #WhiskeyCollector #Cheers

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

‼️🚨SPOILER ALERT🚨‼️

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Producer: Casey Jones Distillery – Hopkinsville, KY
  • Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 4 years old
  • Mashbill: 75% Corn, 10% Wheat, 10% Rye, 5% Malted Barley (Mash Bill 4)
  • Size: 750ml

Mammoth Distilling Northern Bourbon – Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished on Toasted Cherry Wood Staves

  • Producer: Mammoth Distilling – Central Lake, MI
  • Proof: 95 (47.5% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 74.8% Wapsie Valley Corn, 21% Wheeler Rye, 4.2% Conlon Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Middle West Spirits Cask Strength Straight Wheat Whiskey

  • Producer: Middle West Spirits – Columbus, OH
  • Proof: 125.2 (62.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 5 years old
  • Mashbill: 95% Ohio Soft Red Winter Wheat, 5% Two-Row Malted Barley
  • Size: 750ml

Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey – Cask Strength (375ml)

  • Producer: Southern Distilling Company – Statesville, NC
  • Proof: 115.2 (57.6% ABV)
  • Age Statement: 7 years old
  • Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Size: 375ml

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

Elite Eight Blind Battle: Who Made the Final Four? 

🥃 Blind Whiskey of the Year: The Elite Eight Final Showdown!

The road to the Final Four ends here! In today’s high-stakes episode, we conclude the Elite Eight with Battles 11 and 12. It’s a classic showdown of 1-seeds vs. 2-seeds, where the scores are razor-thin and the pressure is at an all-time high.

Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into a blind sensory evaluation to see which bottles have the complexity, the “legs,” and the finish to survive the cut. One of these battles resulted in a dead tie—stay tuned to see how we broke the tie and which powerhouse whiskies officially punched their ticket to the semifinals!

🕒 In This Episode:

  • Battle 11 (U vs. V): A clash of opposites. One brings sweet confectionary notes and power, while the other offers deep, dark “winter bourbon” vibes.
  • Battle 12 (W vs. X): The battle of the titans. We’re talking barrel-heavy cocoa notes versus traditional caramel and baking spice perfection.
  • The Big Reveal: We unmask the winners and losers! See how Craft Distilleries are holding their own against the “Big Boys.”
  • Final Four Announcement: The bracket is set! Find out which four bottles are moving on to compete for Whiskey of the Year.

📢 JOIN THE JOURNEY

If you love deep-dive whiskey reviews, blind tastings, and bourbon hunting, hit that SUBSCRIBE button! We release new tournament battles daily as we head toward crowning the undisputed Champion.

🏆 WOTY TOURNAMENT HUB: View the live bracket, match results, and winner scores.16 Bottles. One Champion. No Labels. HERE: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/03/%f0%9f%8f%86-the-definitive-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-bracket/ 

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

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YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

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NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

Who Survived the Sweet Sixteen Gauntlet? The Scores are In!

The opening round of the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Tournament is officially in the books, and the results are staggering. This wasn’t just a tasting; it was a battle of the best. With an incredible 93.5 average winner score, the margin for error was non-existent. Even the bottles sent home averaged a 92.1, proving that every contender in this year’s field is a “must-try” for any serious enthusiast.

From massive wildcard upsets to #1 seeds holding their ground by a single point, the Elite Eight is now set. Who moved on? Who fell short? Explore the full scorecard below and track the live bracket as we head into the Quarterfinals.

The Sweet Sixteen Scorecard

Key Takeaways from the Round

  • The High-Score Hero: Patriotic Meri-COB (Battle 8) took the highest score of the entire opening round with a massive 95, narrowly edging out a phenomenal Neeley 4-Grain.
  • The Power of the #1 Seed: All four of our #1 seeds (Old Louisville, Bardstown, Wild Turkey, and McBrayer) successfully defended their brackets, though several battles came down to a single point.
  • The “Wheat” Surprise: Star Hill Farms Wheat Whisky remains the only non-bourbon in the field, proving its complexity can stand up to the biggest names in Kentucky Bourbon.

What’s Next?

The tournament shifts gears tomorrow as we begin the Elite Eight. The matchups only get tougher from here as we fight for a spot in the Final Four.

📺 Catch up on all the happenings on the Tournament Tracker Page

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#WhiskeyOfTheYear #WOTY2025 #BourbonBracket #EliteEight #BlindTasting #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyReview #KentuckyBourbon #CraftWhiskey #BourbonCommunity #WhiskeyTuber

The Road to WOTY: Who Made the Elite Eight?

🏆 WHISKEY OF THE YEAR: The Sweet Sixteen Finale! (Battles 7 & 8)

The opening round of the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Tournament concludes today! After 12 months of evaluations, it all comes down to the final two spots in the Elite Eight.

In this episode, we face our final #1 seed taking on a high-scoring Wildcard, followed by a clash between our final #2 and #3 seeds. Will the heavy hitters hold the line, or are we about to witness the ultimate “Giant Slayer” upset right before the quarterfinals?

🥃 In This Episode:

We wrap up the Sweet Sixteen with two massive matchups that pushed our palates to the limit.

  • Battle 7: A high-proof showdown where one bottle “sings” with complexity while the other brings a “bag of peanuts” to the face.
  • Battle 8: A battle of the “beast mode” noses. One bottle smells like a Crème Brûlée dessert, while the other offers an intriguing ginger-spice balance.

Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish—completely blind—to see which two bottles survive the gauntlet to join the Elite Eight.

📉 The Sweet Sixteen Scorecard

The competition in this opening round was incredibly tight. To give you an idea of the caliber of these whiskeys, here is how the scoring broke down across all 16 contenders:

  • Average Winner Score: 93.5 (Elite Eight Bound)
  • Average Eliminated Score: 92.1 It is rare to see a tournament where the “losers” are still scoring in the 90s! This proves that every bottle in this bracket truly earned its spot among the best of 2025.

🏆 The Elite Eight Reveal

Stick around for the end of the video where we finally pull the tape! For the first time, we reveal the 8 Bottles moving on to the Quarterfinals.

The Elite Eight Field includes: 

✅ Our final #1 seeds that held the line. 

✅ The “Giant Slayers” that pulled off the upset. 

✅ A mix of Heritage Kentucky brands and Craft powerhouses.

📢 Join the Journey!

Who are you rooting for in the Elite Eight? Did your favorite bottle get eliminated too early? Let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to follow the rest of the bracket as we head toward the Grand Finale!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

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YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

🏆 The Definitive 2025 Whiskey of the Year Bracket

Searching for the best bourbon of 2025? Welcome to the official hub of the Your Bourbon Journey WOTY Tournament.

We don’t just pick a winner—we earn it through a rigorous, 100% blind tasting process. We’ve taken the top-rated whiskeys from our monthly reviews and pitted them against each other in a single-elimination playoff. From heritage Kentucky distilleries to the most innovative craft whiskey brands, this is the ultimate quest for the best bottle of the year.

Bookmark this page to track live results, scoring averages, and the updated Elite Eight and Final Four standings as we crown our 2025 Champion.

2025 WOTY Tournament Tracker

RoundMatchupResults AvailableVideo Link
Sweet 16Battles 1 & 2Jan 2S16 Round 1
Sweet 16Battles 3 & 4Jan 3S16 Round 2
Sweet 16Battles 5 & 6Jan 4S16 Round 3
Sweet 16Battles 7 & 8 + RevealJan 5S16 Round 4
Elite 8Battles 9 & 10Jan 6E8 Round 1
Elite 8Battles 11 & 12 + RevealJan 7E8 Round 2
Final 4Semi-FinalsJan 8Final Four
FINALECHAMPIONSHIPJan 9Championship

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#WhiskeyOfTheYear #BestBourbon2025 #WhiskeyReview #BourbonJourney #SpiritsAwards #WOTY#BlindTasting #BourbonBracket #WhiskeyTuber #SmallBatchBourbon #BarrelProof #WhiskeyTournament

The Road to the 2025 Whiskey of the Year: The Blind Bracket Revealed!

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year, Bourbon Family!

At Your Bourbon Journey, we spent all of 2025 searching for the absolute best pours on the market. We tasted over 100 expressions, from heritage Kentucky legends to innovative craft distillers. But now, the “fun” part of the year is over, and the evaluation begins.

Starting tomorrow, January 2nd, we launch our 2025 Whiskey of the Year Sweet Sixteen Playoff.

The Integrity of the Process

We believe the label on the bottle shouldn’t dictate the score. To find our winner, we use a 100% Blind Bracket System.

  1. Selection: We took our 12 Monthly Winners and our 4 highest-scoring runners-up (Wildcards).
  2. Seeding: Bottles were seeded based on their performance in our “Whiskey of the Quarter” battles.

The Playoff: A head-to-head, single-elimination tournament where we have no idea what is in the glass until the Championship trophy is awarded.

The Class of 2025: The Contenders

To make it into the Sweet Sixteen, these bottles had to be the best of their respective months. Here is the field of 16 that earned a spot in the starting bracket: (with links to the original tasting videos)

The #1 Seeds (Quarterly Winners)

The #2 Seeds (Quarterly Runners-Up)

The #3 Seeds (Quarterly 3rd Place)

The #4 Seeds (The Wildcards)

How to Follow the Tournament

We will be releasing the results in stages. Every bottle you see on the table will be masked. We won’t know the winners of the early rounds until the very end, ensuring that our palates stay objective through the Grand Finale.

  • Jan 2–5: The Sweet Sixteen (4 Videos)
  • Jan 6–7: The Elite Eight (2 Videos)
  • Jan 8: The Final Four
  • Jan 9: The Grand Finale & 2025 Champion Reveal

Who is your pick for the title? Will a #1 Seed hold the line, or are we looking at a “Cinderella Story” from the Wildcard ranks?

Subscribe to our Your Bourbon Journey YouTube channel to see every battle as it happens.

Cheers to the journey! — Wayne & Rebecca

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.


#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

Bourbon & Whiskey News: December 2025

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.

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

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

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

12/09: We Awarded Over 100 Bottles for the 2026 Men’s Journal Whiskey Awards. Here Are the Pours That Raise the Bar

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

Jan: BourbonCon, Lexington KY

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

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

12/09: A Dozen Tennessee Distilleries Have Blended Their Whiskeys Together for This Excellent New Expression

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

12/15: Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2025 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series

12/19: One of the Top American Craft Distilleries Just Brought Back One of Its Best Whiskeys