Behind The Pursuit: The 2026 Expansion Reality

Bourbon Pursuit

Hobbies, Food, Leisure, Arts

4.8 • 926 Ratings

🗓️ 28 January 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

While most of the industry uses December to wind down and coast into the new year, we’ve been doing the exact opposite. January hit and it was an immediate sprint. We’ve been back on the road, opening up new markets, and staring down the barrel of distributor meetings and case goals. If you look at our single barrel requests right now, everything is looking "up and to the right," but in this business, the view from the top is always a little precarious. The real question isn't just how you grow, but how you stay there. In this episode of Behind the Pursuit, Ryan and I are pulling back the curtain on what it actually looks like to enter new markets in 2026. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of distributor communications and why a solid on-premise strategy may be the only way to survive a landscape that is getting more crowded by the day. We also get honest about the challenges smaller brands face when trying to stay nimble while consumer preferences are shifting right under our feet. It’s a look at the balance between aggressive growth and the strategic planning you need to make sure that "up and to the right" trend doesn't just become a flash in the pan.Show Notes: Introduction and Market Overview Product Launches and Consumer Demand Market Trends and Consumer Preferences On-Premise Strategy and Cocktail Placement Challenges and Competition in the Whiskey Market Future Goals and Strategic Planning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You hear us talk about whiskey clubs all the time on the show, but there's a common theme.
0:04.5	Most of them are about keeping people out.
0:06.9	There's insane membership costs.
0:08.6	There's no choice from what bottles you actually receive.
0:11.5	So here at Pursuit Spirits, we're changing that game.
0:14.4	That's why we introduce P-Club.
0:15.8	It's our way of bringing our distillery straight to you.
0:19.1	We've scrapped the whole mystery box model.
0:21.5	So as a member, you get total control with a customizable cart.
0:25.1	You can choose anything from our everyday offerings that may or may not be available on retail shelves around you.
0:30.8	Or we have once a quarter brand new exclusive distillery gift shop only releases that will never hit store shelves. And that
0:39.2	includes everything from our Melwood Legacy Collection. Plus, you'll get 10% off all merch,
0:44.3	invites to VIP Virtual Tastings with Ryan and myself, and $15 off distillery experiences here
0:49.7	at our home at Whiskey Row and downtown Louisville. It's not about being exclusive.
0:55.0	It's about finally having the access you deserve.
0:57.9	Join our inner circle today at Pursuitspirits.com slash Pee Club,
1:01.5	or just go to PursuitSpirits.com and hit that Pek Club link to come and join us.
1:06.7	Give 270.
1:07.4	We'll start the new year, Bour Strong with another 50 for 50 raffle.
1:11.4	Now through January 28th, your $50 ticket gives you two chances to win from 50 bourbon prices.
1:17.3	And for the first time ever, a six-bottle-trace antique collection with a newly introduced E.H. Taylor bottled in bond.
1:24.8	Only 3,000 tickets are available, so don't wait.
	...

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