American Whiskey Report July 2026

American Whiskey Report

I just got back from vacation in Canada, where I stopped into an LCBO store to see that, in fact, there were still no American whiskeys on the shelves. The only American brands I could find were Fireball and Skrewball. DISCUS President Chris Swonger had this to say: “For nearly a year and a half, American spirits have been pulled from store shelves across much of Canada as collateral damage in a broader trade dispute unrelated to our sector, and we appreciate the Administration's recognition of the significant damage these restrictions have caused U.S. distillers. We had hoped, however, that this issue could be resolved without further escalation. Imposing a 50% tariff on imported spirits from Canada deepens trade tensions and raises the risk of further retaliation at a time when many U.S. hospitality businesses continue to face financial hardships. We encourage policymakers on both sides of the border to pursue a negotiated solution that restores market access for U.S. spirits and avoids further harm to the U.S. hospitality sector.”

 

Product Releases

Bib & Tucker 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond

Bib & Tucker 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond

 
Four Roses Bourbon 100 proof

Four Roses Bourbon 100 proof

  • Four Roses has released a mizunara cask finished Bourbon as well as a 100 proof Bourbon that has been repeatedly requested by bartenders.

  • Woodinville has two new releases: Woodinville Single Barrel Cask Strength 7 Year Bourbon and Woodinville Single Barrel Cask Strength 7 Year 100% Rye.

  • Sagamore Whiskey has released high rye straight Bourbon whiskey with a mash bill of 60% corn, 25% rye, and 15% malted rye, aged for 6 years, as well as America 250 Straight Rye Whiskey.

  • Blue Run has released a limited edition USA 250th Anniversary commemorative Bourbon bottle featuring 22 karat gold ink and a star-spangled butterfly design.

  • Doc Brown Spirits has released Addie Rose Bourbon finished with pecan wood staves.

  • Brush Creek Distillery has released its 2026 Heroes Edition to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The Bourbon features red winter wheat and blue and white corn.

  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery has released a limited-edition "George Washington’s Spirit Of '76" Bourbon to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.

  • Buffalo Trace has released Prohibition Collection #3, a limited-edition set of five bottles produced by the distillery during Prohibition, which included Henry Watterson, Kentucky River, John G. Carlisle, Walter B. Duffy and Cove Spring.

  • Company Distilling has released a wheated Bourbon finished with Amburana wood.

  • Oxmoor Bourbon Company has released two Volume 4 single barrel Bourbons.

 
Jackson Purchase 2026 Lineup

Jackson Purchase 2026 Lineup

  • Barton 1792 has released two new whiskeys, 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and 1792 XV, a 15 year old Bourbon that is both the oldest age stated Bourbon released under the brand as well as the first unfiltered cask strength Bourbon released under the brand.

  • Whiskey JYPSI has released Tonewood, two whiskeys finished with Gibson guitars maple offcuts.

  • Bird Creek Whiskey has released five new American Single Malt whiskeys, each with a single barley type: Full Pint (GN0), Baronesse (unknown GN), Fracin (unknown GN), Purple Egyptian (unknown GN), and Scots Bere (unknown GN). 

 
Bardstown Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish

Bardstown Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish

  • Starlight Distillery has released a 10-year Bourbon to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

  • Heaven Hill has released Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, which combines two Bourbon mashbills distilled in the same season.

  • Yellowstone is releasing Limited Edition 2026, the 11th installment in the 150 year old brand’s modern era.

  • New Riff has released Headliner, a blend of 50% 11-year-old Malted Rye bourbon, 25% 11-year-old Rye and 25% 10-year-old Balboa Rye.

  • Silver Brothers Distillery has released its first single barrel, an Empire Rye.

  • Breckenridge Distillery has released a rye whiskey with an 80% rye mashbill.

 

People News

  • The Kentucky Distillers’ Association has released the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame roster:

    * Shane Baker, Founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery and Ferm Solutions

    * Dr. Patrick Heist, Founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery and Ferm Solutions

    * The late W.L. Lyons Brown Sr., grandson of Brown-Forman Founder George Garvin Brown

    * The late George Garvin Brown II, grandson of Brown-Forman Founder George Garvin Brown

    * Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association

    * Fred Minnick, journalist and author

    * John W. Schickel, retired Kentucky State Senator

 

Other News

Willett Springfield

Willett Springfield

  • The Willett Distillery has opened a second distillery in Washington County and has filled its first barrel of whiskey on the new campus. “This first barrel represents an important moment for our family, our team and the future of Willett Distillery,” says Willett Master Distiller Drew Kulsveen. “Beginning production in Springfield allows us to grow while continuing to honor the people, places and traditions that have made Willett what it is today.” 

  • The Bourbon Capital Alliance has created a program for Bourbon Capital Diplomat Certification for hospitality professionals.

  • According to a TTB report, American whiskey production is once again trending upward from 13, 680,665 proof gallons in January to 15,858,571 proof gallons in February to 17,349,295 proof gallons in March.

  • High West in Park City, Utah is celebrating 20 years in the whiskey business.

  • Blackwood Distilling Company has opened a visitor experience in Lexington, Kentucky.

 
Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, founders of Pursuit Spirits

Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, founders of Pursuit Spirits

  • The Kentucky Bourbon Trail has welcomed four new stops including Pursuit Spirits this month. The other three are Uncle Boojie’s in Louisville and Cave City Distilling and Purple Toad Winery and Distillery in the Western region.

  • Hard Truth Distilling hosted the Charred Truth Barbecue Competition.

  • Horse Soldier opened Horse Soldier Farms in Somerset, Kentucky.

  • Buffalo Trace has opened Camp Buffalo Trace, an adult summer camp that includes woodworking workshops, bung driving competitions, and a single barrel challenge.

  • Huber’s Starlight Distillery is celebrating 25 years in operation.

  • Moonshine University and Grease Monkey Distillery are closing at the end of 2026 after 14 years and helping to launch more than 300 brands. The teaching facility was started by Flavorman as a way to bridge the gap in education that arose because of the craft spirits boom. Famously, people were buying stills from Vendome and then asking them how to use the stills, so the idea came from that need. Today many universities have distilling programs. The company’s Stave & Thief Society is looking for partnerships to continue the education and certification program.

  • Whistle Pig has joined the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

  • Neeley Family Distillery has installed the first three chamber still in Kentucky since the 1800s.

  • The Whisky Chicks Bourbon Mixer is being held on August 22 in Louisville. You can access their rare Bourbon raffle until August 22. You don’t have to be present to win!

 

Bonus Cocktail Recipe

Bluegrass Bitters Dark Cherry Old Fashioned

Bluegrass Bitters Dark Cherry Old Fashioned

Bluegrass Bitters Dark Cherry Old Fashioned

2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
½ ounce Bluegrass Bitters Smoky Simple Syrup
2 droppers (about ¼ teaspoon) Bluegrass Bitters Dark Cherry Bitters
2 cocktail cherries
1 spritz Bluegrass Bitters 5-Spice Orange Bitters

Add the rye whiskey or bourbon, Smoky Simple Syrup, and Dark Cherry Bitters into a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with 2 cocktail cherries and finish with a spritz of 5-Spice Orange Bitters.

Whiskey, NewsMaggie KimberlAmerican Whiskey ReportComment