Liquor Industry News 08-21-26

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The stories featured in the Liquor Industry News (August 21, 2026)Flipboard collection curated by Mark Lenzi highlight new product releases, brand expansions, and industry milestones across spirits and wine:

1. Bardstown Bourbon Co. Releases Jura Cask & Discovery Expressions

• The News: Bardstown Bourbon Co. (under Lofted Spirits) introduced two new annual whiskeys: the 2026 Discovery and the Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish.
• Key Details:
• The Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish (52% ABV) blends 11-year Indiana bourbon, 10-year Indiana rye, and 12-year Kentucky bourbon, finished for 32 months in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks from the Isle of Jura distillery in Scotland.
• The 2026 Discovery (66.4% ABV) blends 10-year Indiana bourbon with 11-year and 7-year Kentucky bourbons, finished in custom Garryana (Oregon white oak) barrels.
• Both bottles retail for $139.99 USD and feature custom label artwork by artist Margaret Archambault.

2. Fireball Debuts "Torch'd Vanilla" Limited Release

• The News: Sazerac’s Fireball Cinnamon Whisky launched a new limited-edition variant in the US called Torch'd Vanilla.
• Key Details:
• Bottled at 33% ABV, it blends vanilla, toasted marshmallow, smoky oak, and baking spices with Fireball’s core cinnamon flavor.
• Rollout begins in September in two formats: 750ml bottles ($14.99 USD) and 50ml 10-packs ($9.99 USD).

3. Sazerac Expands into Soju with "Dalho"

• The News: Sazerac entered the rapidly growing US soju market with the launch of Dalho Soju, featuring a "category-first" 50ml mini format.
• Key Details:
• Bottled at 17% ABV, Dalho is available in Original, Peach, Strawberry, and Lychee flavors.
• Offered in traditional 375ml bottles ($5.99 USD) and 50ml bottles ($0.99 USD / $9.99 10-pack) to lower the barrier for consumers looking to try soju.

4. Seven New Masters of Wine Named (Largest Class Since 2021)

• The News: The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) announced seven new Masters of Wine (MW), bringing the total 2026 cohort to 11—the largest intake since 2021—and raising the total number of active MWs globally to 427.
• Key Details:
• The class includes historic national firsts: Tiago Macena MWbecomes Portugal's first resident MW, and Sue Tolson MWbecomes Hungary's first resident MW.
• The newly inducted members are Alice Archer (UK), Owain Hughes (UK), Weiran Liu (China), Gabriella Macari (US), Tiago Macena (Portugal), Jake Skakun (Canada), and Sue Tolson (Hungary).