Elijah Craig Barrel Proof E926 cleared federal review at 130.2 proof and is arriving at national retail this week at $74.99 MSRP. Comparable E-batch expressions have settled 40 to 60 percent above that price within 90 days of distribution. Today's episode also covers Heaven Hill's 15% Q3 new-make reduction at Bernheim — the first Big 4 production cut documented in the current correction cycle — and what that means for the American Whiskey Industry Brief's long-range outlook on the Elijah Craig and Larceny shelf from 2030 forward.

Today's full written brief (free): https://chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/podcast/2026-07-06-the-cut-daily/

The American Whiskey Industry Brief on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

The Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch pre-allocation closes this afternoon, and Franklin lays out exactly what you're deciding and where to go. Once that window shuts, the week ahead is calmer — Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof 2026 and Larceny Barrel Proof B926 both arrive at standard retail mid-July with no lottery or list required. Ohio residents still have time to enter the George T. Stagg 2026 lottery through July 14, and Horse Soldier Farms in Somerset, Kentucky wraps up its grand opening weekend today with a founding story unlike anything else in the industry.

Franklin recaps a week shaped by one recurring question: what is something actually worth when the price is honest? The releases — Knob Creek 18-Year, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2026, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof D926, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof, and a Larceny Barrel Proof A926/B926 side-by-side — each answered differently. And on the Fourth of July, George Washington's distillery at Mount Vernon offers the week's most singular answer: fewer than 350 bottles of cask strength Spirit of '76, at $1,000 each, available in person only at The Shops at Mount Vernon. Franklin closes with the supply picture — Heaven Hill, MGP, Beam Suntory all pulling back production — and what it means for the shelf in the early 2030s.

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 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

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 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

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 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

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 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

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 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ChasingTheUnicornPodcast

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.