A Chattanooga whiskey finished on playable maple-wood records, a wheated bonded bourbon from Northern Kentucky, a peach-brandy rye and a holiday blend that finally met sherry. Here's what's worth your hunting energy this week. Mid-October is when the release calendar stops being a calendar and starts being a firehose. Between the big fall limited editions and the holiday bottles creeping in early, it's easy to miss the genuinely interesting stuff. So we dug through the latest

Louisville's oldest name in bourbon just launched a new annual series, and the first one is a 12-year, 115-proof pour in a decanter that would look right at home on Don Draper's bar cart. Some brands chase trends. Old Forester leans on more than 150 years of history. Today, October 15, the Whiskey Row brand rolled out the Tribute Series, a new annual, ultra-premium, age-stated release. The first edition is a 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, and it's already hitting shel

A members-only rye from Whiskey Row, a dessert-named blend, an archived 11-year rye and a 10-year birthday bourbon from Missouri. Here's what's new this week. Mid-October is when the release calendar stops trickling and starts pouring. In just the last week, four new bottles were announced that each scratch a different itch: one for the barrel-proof rye fiend, one for the blend nerd, one for the collector who loves an archived barrel, and one for the road-tripper willing to d

A rye-leaning rickhouse pick from Wild Turkey, a pot-still birthday bottle from Woodford and a barrel-proof Tennessee pour with a good cause attached. Last week was a busy one in whiskey country. Between October 6 and 8, three new bottles landed from just up the road in Kentucky and right here in Tennessee, and each one tells a different story: a master distiller going back to the first warehouse he ever worked in, a brand celebrating 30 years by leaning into its copper pot s

Lost Lantern's first single-distillery collection digs into the Tullahoma stocks most of us never knew existed, from an 18-year Tennessee whiskey to a 100% wheat pour. George Dickel has always been the quieter of Tennessee's two big whiskey names. While the other guys down the road get the billboards, the folks at Cascade Hollow in Tullahoma have been putting out some of the best values in American whiskey, and lately some seriously good age-stated stuff. Now an independent b

A Texas cannon, a Brooklyn rarity, a Kentucky king and an Indiana value play: four brand-new pours that hit the market in the last two weeks. October is when the release calendar really starts to stack up. Since the last week of September, four bottles have landed that cover just about every kind of whiskey drinker: the proof hound, the collector, the single-barrel chaser and the person who just wants a great pour for under sixty bucks. None of these has shown up on our fall

From Garryana oak to a limestone cellar, fall 2026's release calendar is stacked. Here's where we'd spend our hunting energy. The leaves are turning, the fire pit is back in rotation, and bourbon's biggest release season is in full swing. Kentucky Bourbon Festival week may be behind us, but the bottles keep coming. Some of this fall's most talked-about pours are already on shelves; others are still a few weeks out. Here are five we'd put on the list, from the unicorns to one

We had an absolute blast at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival! From catching up with old friends to meeting new ones, connecting with some of the incredible distillers behind the bottles, and tasting more than a few unforgettable pours, this weekend reminded us why we love the bourbon community so much. There’s something special about bringing so many people together who share a genuine appreciation for the craft, the history, and the stories behind bourbon. We loved getting the

From Freddie Noe and Bruce Russell to bottle shares, private barrel pours, and bourbon under the stars, The Trail Hotel is making a strong case for becoming the unofficial after-hours headquarters of Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. For bourbon fans, Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend has never really ended when the gates close. The bottles keep opening. The conversations move to hotel bars and fire pits. Distillers, collectors, and enthusiasts settle in for the evening, and so

From 12-year bottled-in-bond bourbon and 25-year whiskey components to Gibson guitar wood finishes and a completely new style of American whiskey, the Whiskey House chalet is worth putting on your Kentucky Bourbon Festival list. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is already an exercise in deciding where to spend your time — and, more importantly, which bottles deserve space in the bag on the way home. This year, Whiskey House of Kentucky is making that decision a little harder. Th

For years, getting your hands on some of Phifer Pavitt’s more interesting whiskey required being part of a pretty exclusive circle. That changes this September. Phifer Pavitt Spirits is officially opening two of its limited-production bourbons—LATE NIGHT and RESERVE—to the public for the first time. Previously available exclusively to Phifer Pavitt wine club members, both expressions will make their public debut during the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 10–13 in Bardst

There are plenty of places to find bourbon reviews. There are far fewer places where you can discover the people, places, and stories that make whiskey culture what it is. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the newest issue of The Blind Tiger Collective. Our latest edition is now available, packed with stories that celebrate the craftsmanship, history, and personalities shaping today’s bourbon industry. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a weekend enthusiast, or someone jus

Every summer has its soundtrack, its destination, and if you’re a bourbon lover, it has its bottles. On the latest episode of The Blind Tiger Collective, Terry Barga and Christy Pruitt-Haynes sat down to discuss the bourbons that have defined the season—not simply because they’re hard to find, but because they’re creating conversations throughout the whiskey community. Some are new releases making headlines, while others have quietly earned a permanent place on our shelves th

When the temperature rises, many people assume bourbon should stay on the shelf until fall. That couldn't be further from the truth. Bourbon's caramel, vanilla, and oak notes make it one of the most versatile summer spirits—especially when paired with bright citrus, fresh herbs, and seasonal fruit. Whether you're sitting on the porch, hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, or enjoying a sunset by the lake, these three cocktails deserve a spot in your summer rotation. 1. The

Whether you're collecting bottles, investing in bourbon, or simply looking for an excuse to pour a great whiskey, this episode has something for you. Terry, Christy, and Joe are back around the table discussing the realities of cash flow and investing in today's bourbon market, sharing stories from the hunt, and exploring when buying bottles is a passion—and when it becomes an investment strategy. Plus, Christy returns with another unforgettable bourbon encounter, Terry puts

Kentucky has never been short on legendary bourbon producers. From century-old distilleries to emerging craft brands, the Bluegrass State is abundant in stories of heritage and craftsmanship. But every so often, a new name comes along that refuses to follow the script. Instead of asking how bourbon has always been made, it asks what bourbon could become. That is exactly what you’ll find at Dark Arts Whiskey House in Lexington. Located in the city’s historic Distillery Distric

Just outside Chattanooga, perched high above the Tennessee River at River Gorge Ranch, sits a restaurant that feels less like a place to eat and more like a destination. From the moment you arrive at Riverdance, you're greeted by breathtaking mountain scenery, sweeping river views, and an atmosphere that immediately tells you this is something special. For those searching for an unforgettable dining experience in Southeast Tennessee, Riverdance may very well offer the best re

The next episode of the Blind Tiger Collective Podcast is shaping up to be one of our most entertaining and educational conversations yet. Whether you're a seasoned bourbon hunter, a casual enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys a good pour and a great story, this episode has something for everyone. The Hunt for Allocations Let's face it—allocated bourbon has become one of the most talked-about topics in whiskey culture. From limited releases to store picks that disappear w

In a city known for outdoor adventure, craft beer, and a rapidly growing culinary scene, there’s a hidden gem tucked beneath one of Chattanooga’s most popular pizza joints that deserves the attention of every whiskey lover. At first glance, you might think you’ve arrived for a slice of New York-style pizza. And while the pizza certainly delivers, the real story begins when you descend into the dimly lit, speakeasy-inspired lounge hidden below Goodfellas Pizzeria. Welcome to t

There’s something special about driving through the rolling hills just outside of Lexington and realizing you’re headed toward a place that genuinely feels connected to the roots of bourbon culture. That’s exactly the feeling we had during our recent visit to Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm — a distillery that somehow balances modern innovation with old-school Kentucky soul. From the moment we arrived, it was obvious this wasn’t just another stop on the bourbon trail. Th