Episode Details

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 1st 2026. Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger talks collapse, reopening the door for Sazerac’s $15B bid
• Bardstown Bourbon Company launches NFC-enabled "Bourbon Gifting Reimagined" for personalized digital messaging
• North Carolina lobbyists indicted for illegal bourbon trip while "Operation High Octane" sweeps illicit secondary sales
• Maker’s Mark partners with basketball star Kelsey Plum for "Yam Jam" Private Selection and charity cocktail
• Major spirits brands pivot to TikTok as platform finalizes age-gating for organic and influencer content
• Blade and Bow re-releases ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon for April 2026
• Wenzel Distillery announces Batch 2 of Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon following World Whiskies Award win
• A. Smith Bowman returns to rye after 16 years with experimental 11-year Abraham Bowman release
• Blue Run Spirits debuts Blueprint Series as its new national flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Starlight Distillery unveils inaugural Dana Huber signature Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon release

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