Chasing the Unicorn: Bourbon & American Whiskey

Heaven Hill's Larceny Barrel Proof A926 and B926 are simultaneously on standard retail at $69.99 — same distillery, same mash bill, 2.4 proof points apart — and r/bourbon's 1,100-comment verdict is in: B926 at 124.4 proof opens fruit-forward character before the heat competes, A926 at 126.8 holds structure longer on the back palate. Today's episode covers the community findings, First Sip Concept 12 on barrel proof, and the Ohio OHLQ George T. Stagg lottery open through July 14.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-07-03-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Michter's Fort Nelson opened walk-up access this morning for the US★1 10-Year Single Barrel — $159.99 MSRP, two-bottle limit, no lottery, no application, first-come at 10 AM at 801 West Main Street in Louisville. Today's episode covers the walk-up value math against a $275–$350 secondary floor, the Larceny Barrel Proof B926 buy call at $69.99 and 124.4 proof on standard retail now, and the Ohio OHLQ George T. Stagg lottery open through July 14.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-07-02-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Wild Turkey confirmed 2026 Rare Breed Barrel Proof at 116.8 proof and $59.99 MSRP — standard national distribution, no lottery, arriving mid-July. Today's episode covers the production decision behind the price, the buy call on Weller Antique 107 Batch 2026-02 arriving at allocated accounts today at $39.99 with a secondary floor holding at $65–$85, and the Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2026 recipe reveal at 108.2 proof with pre-allocation open through July 18. Two barrel-strength stories in one window — one requires a phone call, one just requires showing up.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-07-01-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026 cleared federal label approval at 11 years before Brown-Forman issued a press release — one year shorter than the last two vintages. Today's episode covers what the TTB's public COLA system confirms before distilleries say a word and what the age step-down means for September allocation planning. Also in this episode: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof D926 is at national retail at $74.99 and 130.4 proof, completing the 2026 four-batch annual cycle, and the D-series character is worth understanding before you open it.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-06-30-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Knob Creek 18-Year Single Barrel Reserve 2026 pre-allocation closes tonight at midnight CT — 4,200 bottles nationally at $99.99 MSRP, pre-2008 Clermont production confirmed by Fred Noe. The American Whiskey Industry Brief has the full Knob Creek 18-Year versus Elijah Craig 18-Year comparison. Also in this episode: Heaven Hill's Bernheim production reduction, what the bourbon shortage cycle tells you about the current correction, and Eagle Rare 17 Year 2025 trading at 77% below its peak.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-06-29-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Franklin walks through the week ahead while it's still quiet. Michter's Fort Nelson is running a walk-up release of the Toasted Barrel Finish 2026 — July 11 through 13, $59.99, no reservation required — and prior Fort Nelson programs haven't restocked once weekend inventory clears. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof D926 hit TTB last Sunday and pre-allocation windows are opening at retailers now, following the same 72-hour burn rate as C926. Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch is still in pre-allocation at $139.99, but Brent Elliott's recipe reveal in late July will compress that window fast. And on July 24th, the North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition hosts a "Best of" tasting at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans — 24 top-scored products, one evening, during Tales of the Cocktail week.

This week in bourbon, every story traced back to the same question — whose name is on the list, and which door do you walk through? Franklin walks through five days of allocation windows, age-statement releases, and secondary floors that tell you exactly where genuine scarcity lives. Wild Turkey made history this week with both Master's Keep Landmark and Triumph open for pre-allocation at the same time — and a few doors are still open heading into the weekend.

riday's American Whiskey Industry Brief leads with Wild Turkey's Master's Keep 2026 lineup — both Landmark at 14 years and Triumph at 17 years in pre-allocation at the same time, a first for the series. First Sip covers the Angel's Share: the production math behind why three additional Kentucky barrel seasons cost what they do before the distillery ever sets a price. Also in today's edition: the Michter's Fort Nelson walk-up closes tomorrow at 801 West Main in Louisville, both US★1 expressions at $59.99 with no lottery required; and William Larue Weller 2025 with 63.5% floor erosion from its $2,850 peak.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-06-26-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Thursday's American Whiskey Industry Brief leads with a hard midnight deadline: Elijah Craig 18-Year Straight Bourbon 2026 pre-allocation closes tonight at midnight Central — $89.99, 18-year age statement, 90 points on the prior Whisky Advocate vintage, no extension in recent release history. Today's edition also covers the age statement versus NAS distinction, the Michter's Fort Nelson walk-up through June 28, the 86-proof debate running on r/bourbon, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A926's 14.3% secondary floor erosion from its $98 peak to $84 realized.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-06-25-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/

Wednesday's American Whiskey Industry Brief opens on Weller Antique 107 Batch 2026-02: TTB-confirmed at 107 proof, with a secondary floor holding $65 to $85 against a $49.99 MSRP while W.L. Weller Special Reserve has returned to near-retail at the same distillery. The divergence follows per-account allocation, not brand name alone — and two consecutive same-year batches are now in distribution overlap at MSRP. Cut Spotlight is Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph 2026 at $199.99, pre-allocation open through mid-July. Secondary Spotlight is Parker's Heritage Collection 2025 Cognac Cask Finish — 32.9% floor erosion from its $295 peak to $198 realized.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-06-24-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief: https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief/