American Whiskey Report January 2026

We’re kind of light on new product releases this month. The busiest months for new product releases in recent years have been September for Bourbon Heritage Month and October thru December for holiday gift buying. Everyone is broke in January, so it makes sense that we aren’t seeing many special releases this month.

In case you missed it last month, I wrote about the new era of legal moonshine as well as the best bar snacks to pair with Bourbon. And now on to the American whiskey news you can use!

New Releases

Fincasa rum barrel finish rye whiskey

• Fincasa Whiskey has released batch 004, a 5-year MGP rye whiskey with a mash bill of 51-45-4 finished in Barbados rum casks.

• High West has released cask strength, a blend of straight Bourbons with at least 5 different mash bills from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. 

• New Riff has released this year’s Balboa Rye whiskey, which has a mash bill of 95% Balboa heirloom rye and 5% malted rye.

• Burks Spring Bourbon has released Select 7 Year Old Bourbon.

Watch Hill Whiskey Chef Series

• Watch Hill Whiskey Co has two new releases out: Exception Series Batch 003, a blend of three 18-year Kentucky Bourbons, and Chef Series Batch 001, a 12-year single barrel rye whiskey chosen by Executive Chef Michael Crouch.

• Knob Creek has released a whiskey picked by Master Distiller Fred Noe with help from football legend Eli Manning, part of its Bold Picks program.

• Penelope Bourbon has partnered with Serena & Lily, a boutique home goods store, on “Beaufain,” a four-grain Bourbon.

• Infuse and Booze has released a Valentine’s Day cocktail infusion kit to which you would add your own whiskey to create 8-10 cocktails.

• Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is being re-released, this time with age statements on each bottle.

People News

GiGi DaDan, Executive Officer of Louisville Distilling

• The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has a new Board of Directors:

• GiGi DaDan, Executive Officer of Louisville Distilling (Angel’s Envy’s parent company), has been elected Chair.

• Campari Group: Marco Barassi, Government Relations & Sustainability Director 

• Castle & Key Distillery: Will Arvin, Co-Founder and Owner 

• Diageo North America: Antoine Smith, Vice President of Distillation and Maturation North America 

• Four Roses Distillery: Ryan Ashley, Chief Operating Officer 

• Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.: Robert G. Downing III, Assistant General Counsel 

• Lofted Spirits: Mark Erwin, Chief Executive Officer 

• Lux Row Distillers: Landon Foster, Director – Visitor Experiences 

• Michter’s Distillery: Andrea Wilson, Chief Operating Officer & Master of Maturation 

• New Riff Distilling: Mollie Lewis, President 

• Suntory Global Spirits: Crady deGolian, Director, Public Affairs 

• Whiskey House of Kentucky: David Mandell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer 

• White Dog Trading & Storage: Tyler Harris, President 

• Willett Distillery: Britt Kulsveen, President 

Other News

Buzzard's Roost

• Buzzard’s Roost reports that foot traffic at its downtown Louisville tasting room and distillery was up 27% from the previous year.

• The Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction and Celebration will take place February 13-15 in Louisville, Kentucky and will feature various events as well as an auction that benefits the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Find the full catalogue here.

• Bardstown Bourbon Company has earned the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification, signifying that it is in the top 25% for energy efficiency compared to similar facilities nationwide.

• The Bourbon Classic is happening February 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky and will feature a culinary and cocktail challenge and more.

• Whiskey House of Kentucky has received three ISO certifications since beginning operations just 18 months ago: ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems, ISO for 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and ISO for 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems.

• Koetter has completed construction on the first seven story K-Rax rickhouse, installed at The Whiskey House of Kentucky. This is a new method for building rickhouses that offers advancements in airflow, safety, and more.

• Take a survey for a chance to win tickets to Bourbon & Beyond!

• Whiskey Thief Distilling is reporting that 110k visitors visited both sites in 2025 and that their number of employees has grown to more than 80.

• At Milam & Greene in Texas, Heather Greene has shifted into an “innovation and advocacy” role, while Denis Johnston has been named interim CEO and National Sales Director of the brand.

The Filmologist AI-generated bartender

• Filmland Spirits has released The Filmologist, an AI-generated bartender that insults you while you drink and gives out information and cocktail recipes.

• The Detroit Pistons have partnered with Off Hours Bourbon in a multi-year deal, making Off Hours an official partner of the Detroit Pistons.

Book Recommendations

Kentucky Bourbon The Essential Guide to the American Spirit

• Kentucky Bourbon: The Essential Guide to the American Spirit by Susan Reigler.

• Bottom Shelf by Fred Minnick is an autobiographical work about his time covering the Bourbon industry and the personal journey it took him on.

• Makers and Shakers: A Hidden History of Black Americans in Booze by Troy Hughes.

• The History of Whiskey in 100 Bottles, Barrels, and More by Robin Robinson.

• The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit by Noah Rothbaum.

Bonus Cocktail Recipe

Bluegrass Bitters Burnt Orange Cocktail by Shawn Herbig

Bluegrass Bitters Burnt Orange cocktail

2 ounces bourbon or rye 
¼ teaspoon (about two droppers) Bluegrass Bitters 5-Spice Orange Bitters 
½ ounce Bluegrass Bitters Simple Syrup

Combine all ingredients in a mixing vessel, add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Float a dehydrated orange slice on the top.