Bourbon Obsessed

10/06/2026

Five bourbon legal stories you need to know!

Our latest newsletter and podcast cover Wes Henderson and TKC Distilling, RNDC’s bankruptcy, Uncle Nearest’s receivership, Kentucky Owl’s bankruptcy and contested professional fees, and three ongoing Bardstown Bourbon Company lawsuits.

Read the summaries, including an update published after the recording, then listen to attorneys Dean Langdon and Frank Becker's full discussion.

Bourbon litigation news: Wes Henderson allegations, RNDC, Uncle Nearest, Kentucky Owl and Bardstown Bourbon Company. Get all the details!

10/04/2026

Bardstown Bourbon Company
Lochs of Jura
Blend of Straight Wh***eys
Finished in Single Malt Scotch Wh**ky Barrels
104 Proof
SRP: $139.99 / 750 mL

Please enjoy my Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura Review!

Please see the carousel slides for background, details and tasting notes.

The nose of Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura is layered and complex. It is fairly sweet and rich up front, but once I acclimate to those flavors, the contrasting rye spices, oranges and mild oak become more evident. After that, the nose becomes a balanced blend of all of those sweet, rich, fruity and spicier flavors. The taste is also quite sweet and somewhat syrupy, with similar sweet fruits and confections and a mild amount of tannins. Those characteristics continue into the finish, but fade as it becomes drier and spicier, acting as a bit of a palate cleanser, preparing me for the next sip.

This wh***ey is a nice combination of mature bourbons and rye with the richer, fruitier flavors contributed by the Scotch wh**ky barrels. The sherry casks definitely make themselves evident in the sweet berries and dark plums. Lochs of Jura is surprisingly sweet in the nose and palate, although that sweetness is rapidly cleared in the finish. If you enjoy a fairly sweet, fruity and rich wh***ey with a drier and spicier finish, then Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura is one that you will want to try. Have you tried the Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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09/30/2026

Old Elk Distillery
10-Year-Old Wh***ey Collection
103 and 105 Proof
SRP: $69.99 Each

Please enjoy my Old Elk 10-Year-Old Wh***eys Review!

See the carousel slides for background, details and tasting notes.

Although the Old Elk 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon, Old Elk 10-Year-Old Straight Wheat Wh***ey and Old Elk 10-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon are distinctly different wh***eys, they share a number of similarities. All three seem to have some characteristics that I would associate with pot still-distilled wh***eys, although these were presumably column-distilled at MGP. They also share some graininess and breadiness, with the breadiness reminding me of whole wheat bread in both the Straight Wheat Wh***ey and Wheated Bourbon.

Because of these characteristics, I would have guessed all three to be younger than their stated 10-year age. I can only assume that their somewhat youthful character is related to the high malt content of the Straight Bourbon, the high wheat contents of the Straight Wheat Wh***ey and Wheated Bourbon, and Old Elk’s Slow Cut™ Proofing Process. The brand describes the latter this way: “Instead of a day, we spend weeks adding small increments of water to keep our liquid cool and save the delicate flavors our team works so hard to produce during mashing, fermentation, distillation, and maturation.” Perhaps this process leaves some of those more youthful flavors intact.

In addition, fruit notes were present up front in all three Old Elk 10-Year-Old Wh***eys and lasted somewhat into the finish. As the finishes developed, they became drier and picked up spice, although the character of that spice varied among the three. All of the finishes were fairly long.

Suffice it to say, I like all three of the Old Elk 10-Year-Old Wh***eys quite a bit. Their somewhat perplexing combination of youthful and pot still-like characteristics makes them quite flavorful and easy to drink. Have you tried any of these wh***eys? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Note: These samples were graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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09/28/2026

Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Wh***ey
Aged Minimum 5 Years
SRP: $29.99 / 750ml; $32.99 / 1L

Please enjoy my Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof Review!

The nose of Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof is a bit sharper and spicier than I expected, with rye spices such as cloves combined with tannins and dry oak. There is mild sweetness from dark cherry soda, which becomes more noticeable after a few sips, and light caramel, but it takes a backseat to the sharper flavors. It is likely the combination of spice and tannins that makes the alcohol v***r seem greater than expected for the proof.

On the palate, Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof is also drier and more tannic than I anticipated, with hints of orange and black tea, followed by some leather later on. A similar theme continues into the finish, with leather, tannins and moderate capsaicin spice. The finish becomes increasingly dry, with lingering dry wood, mild char and spice at the end.

I have to say, I am quite surprised by the flavor profile of Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof. It is quite dry, spicy and tannic, with noticeable leather and oak. Those more mature flavors could have come from older bourbons in the mix. In addition, perhaps the higher proof compared with the standard 80-proof Four Roses Bourbon makes them stand out a bit more as well.

Since Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof was developed with bartenders and cocktails in mind, I wondered if perhaps that is where it would shine. To test that hypothesis, I used it in one of my famous honey old fashioneds. As I suspected, its sharper and spicier flavors worked wonderfully with the honey sweetness in the old fashioned, making for an absolutely perfect drink.

There it is. Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof did exactly what it was designed to do and performed extremely well in a cocktail. That may be its true calling, although more experimentation is in order, for sure. For me, it is not something I would reach for as a neat pour, but perhaps you would. Have you tried Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

09/26/2026

Stillman’s Sonder
10 Year Bourbon
Straight Bourbon Wh***ey
94 Proof
SRP: $70 / 700 mL

Please enjoy my Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year Bourbon Review!

Stillman's Sonder 10 Year Bourbon has more layers and complexity than I expected from the proof and my first sip. It begins with fairly characteristic bourbon notes, but as time goes on, quite a few additional flavors develop. Its body is light to medium, which is expected for this bourbon's 94 proof. The finish becomes a bit drier and spicier than I would have anticipated. However, some of the sweeter flavors and fruits linger as well. To me, the cherry notes of the nose and palate evolved into concentrated dark cherry syrup with a subtle herbal note in the finish. It's definitely a unique flavor progression.

Overall, Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year Bourbon is quite an enjoyable sub-100-proof pour, with layered flavors that vary over the course of the pour and from sip to sip. If you are looking for a relatively lower-proof pour with some interesting complexity, then this is one you’ll want to try. Have you tried Stillman’s Sonder 10 Year Bourbon? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

09/25/2026

It's time for this week's Bourbon and Distillery News!

12 Bourbon Industry News Stories You Need to Know!

This week, Canada's alcohol ban may have a big bulk-shipment loophole, while England's new wh**ky rules ignite a single-malt debate. Plus, we've got news about Evan Williams, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Eastern Light Distilling, Jefferson's, Willett, Diageo's Crown Royal, Sazerac's Canadian Mist, Toasts Not Tariffs, Jameson Irish wh***ey, NAFDAC and Southern Glazer's. Read all about these news stories in this week's Bourbon and Distillery News!

Bourbon and Distillery News for September 25, 2026: Canadian alcohol ban, English Wh**ky, Willett, Jefferson’s, Evan Williams and more.

09/19/2026

New Bourbon Releases News for September 19, 2026
27 New Bourbons and Other American Wh***eys to Try!

Even though I did two New Bourbon Releases Newsletters right before KBF, the releases are still pouring in. So, we will put off Industry News until next week, so we don't get too far behind.

This week, Pursuit Spirits and Shortbarrel blend maple-finished bourbon with double oak rye, Beam releases only the second Booker’s rye ever, and Heaven Hill unveils the 20th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection. And that's just the beginning! Read this week’s New Bourbon Releases News to learn about those and 24 other new wh***eys from Samuel Call, Chicken C**k, Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace, Ingram, Glenmore, Garrison Brothers, Little Book, Sagamore, Milam & Greene, K**b Creek, The Maven, 2XO, and Woodinville, plus a chance to win 34 rare bottles!

Have a great weekend! Cheers!🥃

New Bourbon Releases News for September 19, 2026! Featuring 27 wh***eys from Van Winkle, Booker’s, K**b Creek, 2XO, Woodinville and more!

09/09/2026

Bardstown Bourbon Company
2026 Discovery
Blend of Straight Bourbon Wh***eys
Finished in Garryana Oak Barrels
112.8 Proof
SRP: $139.99 / 750 mL

Please enjoy my Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery Review!

See the carousel slides for background, details and tasting notes

At first, the sweet cherries are dominant in the nose of Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery, with the spicy oak more subtle and in the background. However, with time, those notes switch, with the spicy oak becoming more dominant, yet the cherries still come and go. Likewise, toffee, lightly burnt caramel and brown sugar trade places throughout the pour.

The taste starts off mildly sweet but rapidly becomes drier and more tart, with orange peel, spicy oak and occasional mild barrel char. Sweet dark berries remain in the background, as well.

The finish rapidly turns quite dry and somewhat tannic with increasing spice, but there are also some remaining dark berries. A mild smoky barrel char becomes most evident later in the finish and lingers with the spice for a while.

In spite of the relatively short finishing time, the effects of the Garryana oak are evident throughout. They probably account for the fairly abrupt change between the nose and palate, and the spice, dryness and tannins in the finish. Likewise, the complexity of flavors is likely also in part due to this being essentially a four grain bourbon, with almost equal percentages of Indiana wheated bourbon and Kentucky “rye” bourbons.

Bardstown Bourbon Company 2026 Discovery is quite the enjoyable, complex and layered pour. If you enjoy a sweeter start and a drier, somewhat tannic and spicier finish, then this is one that you will want to try. Have you tried the 2026 Discovery? What did you think? Bonus points if you can spot the mistake on one of the labels! Cheers!🥃

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

09/08/2026

I have a special Kentucky Bourbon Festival week edition of my New Bourbon Releases News this Tuesday, since we won't be publishing any more newsletters until after the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. I hope to see you at the there! Have a great rest of the week!

This week, Woodford Reserve pushes barrel seasoning to as long as seven years, Four Roses reaches back for a 23-year-old component, and Old Forester celebrates Birthday Bourbon with a new distiller's jacket. We also cover new releases from Sagamore, Basil Hayden, Baker's, Town Branch, Chattanooga Wh***ey, Shortbarrel, Tumblin' Dice, Jeptha Creed, Remus, Penelope, Yellowstone, Ezra B., MGP, Larrikin, Neeley Family Distillery, Dark Arts and Brown-Forman in this Kentucky Bourbon Festival Week special edition featuring 34 new bourbons and other American wh***eys! Read on for all the details!

https://bourbonobsessed.com/new-bourbon-releases-news-kentucky-bourbon-festival-week-special-edition/

Woodford Reserve Larrikin Bourbon Company Neeley Family Distillery Dark Arts Wh***ey Old Forester Sagamore Spirit

In this week's New Bourbon Releases News: 34 new bourbons and American wh***eys from Woodford Reserve, Four Roses, Old Forester and more!

09/07/2026

My Mini and Full KBF Survival Guides are updated and back again for 2026!
Heading to the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival? My Mini-Survival Guide has you covered! If you want more details, my full 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Survival Guide from Bourbon Obsessed is newly updated, completely free and packed with the details that can make or break your weekend, all from someone who lives half-time in Bardstown and has been to many Kentucky Bourbon Festivals.
Read my complete guide online, or sign up for the Bourbon Obsessed newsletters to download the free printable PDF edition.

Read my full Survival Guide at:
https://bourbonobsessed.com/2026-kentucky-bourbon-festival-survival-guide-by-bourbon-obsessed/

You can also find it through the link in my bio.