549 - Our 2026 Predictions on Bourbon Community Roundtable #114

Bourbon Pursuit

Arts, Hobbies, Leisure, Food

4.9 • 866 Ratings

🗓️ 15 January 2026

⏱️ 72 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It’s that time of year when we polish off the crystal ball and try to guess exactly where the bourbon industry is headed in 2026. The panel dives into some high-stakes predictions on the rise of exclusive distillery clubs and the portential rise of the craft sector by leaning into Direct-to-Consumer sales. We also get into some scarier territory—think tariffs and the possibility of major distilleries actually pausing production—while others weighs in on the acquisition frenzy that’s continuing to reshape the landscape. We also tackle the death of FOMO on limited releases, the push for even higher-proof offerings, and the wild possibility of NIL deals between universities and distilleries. Will your favorite college quarterback have a signature bottle pick soon? We’re breaking it all down to see how economic and political factors will keep the bourbon scene shaking in the year ahead. Show Notes: Bourbon Pursuit explores 2026 predictions for the bourbon industry Insights on the future of distillery clubs and exclusive consumer offers Discussion on tariff impacts and potential production pauses The rising prominence of craft distilleries and direct sales strategies Evolution of FOMO among bourbon consumers Speculation on NIL partnerships within the bourbon sector Insights into how GLP-1 medications might affect drinking habits Reflections on past predictions and the industry's direction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	First prediction for 2026, I think we're going to see a lot more on-site activations and distillery exclusive by mail.
0:08.9	So a lot more distillery clubs really crank up in 2026, not just from like the major distilleries in Kentucky, but all over the country.
0:16.1	So it's going to be a huge theme. I think brands and distilleries, especially smaller ones, are saying, you know what?
0:23.7	We'll figure out shipping later.
0:25.0	Just let's do this.
0:25.9	We don't care about state restrictions.
0:27.3	Let's just open us up nationwide and let's get people connected to us.
0:29.8	I think that's going to be a huge theme of 2026. This is Burbin Pursuit, the official podcast of Bourbon, bringing to you the best in news, reviews, and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen, and I'm one of your hosts, Kenny Coleman. Well, here we are. It is the first bourbon community roundtable the year, which means it is our big predictions for 2026. It's going to go in a bunch of different wage. Is there going to be acquisitions? Are there going to be shutdowns? Are there going to be new types of bottles coming out? I don't know. We'll see. But we're going to have a little bit of a recap from our good buddy Blake on here. He's going to talk about what we got right and what we got wrong in 2025. And who knows? Is this the year that Four Roses actually gets purchased? Well, we'll see.
1:27.9	We actually do make a prediction on it.
1:29.6	You'll find out.
1:30.8	But with that, cheers, everybody.
1:32.5	Enjoy this week's episode.
1:34.0	And now here's Fred Minnick with Above the Char.
1:37.7	I'm Fred Minnick, and this is Above the Char.
1:42.9	This week's idea comes from Jacob D.
1:45.2	who writes me on fredminic.com.
1:48.1	When you are tasting and or reviewing bourbon,
1:50.9	what is your mindset?
1:52.2	Since taste is subjective,
1:53.8	are you trying to find something positive
1:55.6	on what you are tasting?
1:57.1	Or do you just speak to your truth,
	...

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