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Original analysis from Whiskey Tide Partners alongside curated perspectives from across the industry.
Whiskey Intelligence
Report
Original market commentary and analysis from Whiskey Tide.
Whiskey Intelligence Report — Q3 2026
In Q1 and Q2 the barrel glut became the accepted operating reality. In Q3 the market increasingly struggled to put a price on it. Some barrels clear quickly, at prices that make sense given time to maturity and holding costs. Others are liquidating at prices that reflect a deeply dislocated market searching for any sense of direction.
Read the Full ReportOctober 2026
WTP Analysis reflects the views and market observations of the Whiskey Tide Partners team. It is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.
Whiskey Intelligence Report — Q2 2026
Record inventory, compressed margins, and unresolved trade policy are still with us. Divergent strategies on how to operate in today's market are emerging, and the industry's giants have started to make waves. This quarter covers the barrel surplus, three significant M&A events including the collapsed Pernod Ricard / Brown-Forman merger and Sazerac's roughly $15 billion bid, bourbon tariff politics, and the demand question heading into Q3.
Read the Full ReportJune 30, 2026
Barrel market surplus, M&A activity, tariffs & bourbon politics, consumer demand, Q3 outlook
Pernod Ricard / Brown-Forman (terminated), Sazerac / Brown-Forman ($15B rejection), Luca Mariano (ongoing)
WTP Analysis reflects the views and market observations of the Whiskey Tide Partners team. It is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.
American Whiskey's Reset Arrives in the Data
The TTB's latest national proof-gallon figures put a number on what the barrel market has signaled for over a year. Production has slowed, the surplus is real, and the data now confirms the structural reset the industry has been working through.
Read the Data BriefJuly 13, 2026
U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau — Distilled Spirits Statistical Report (2025)
National whiskey production trends, proof-gallon output, category-level shifts, forecasting challenges
WTP Analysis reflects the views and market observations of the Whiskey Tide Partners team. It is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice.
Selected Perspectives
from Across the Industry
Notable coverage and research from across the industry. Curated by Whiskey Tide Partners.
Four Roses Distillery Sold to E&J Gallo Winery for $775 Million
One of Kentucky's most storied bourbon brands changes hands in a landmark deal, signaling continued appetite from large beverage conglomerates for premium American whiskey assets.
The Spirits BusinessUS Whiskey Maker Takes Over Waterford Distillery
Tennessee Distilling Group acquires the Irish craft distillery in a cross-Atlantic deal. Notably, Waterford's inventory and maturing stocks are not included and remain available for sale.
The Irish TimesReceivers Agree Sale of Waterford Whisky to Tennessee Distilling Group for €6M
Additional coverage of the Waterford transaction, including deal terms and the receivership context behind the sale — relevant background for anyone tracking international whiskey M&A.
The Spirits BusinessSazerac Reportedly Buys Into Garrard County Distilling
Sazerac is said to have acquired a stake in Garrard County Distilling by purchasing bank notes — a notable move by one of the industry's most acquisitive players.
NewsNationGen Z and Alcohol: Economic Pressure Accelerates the Sobriety Trend
Pricing pressure on consumers is showing up in the data — young drinkers are pulling back on alcohol spending. A useful demand-side data point for brands and producers tracking category headwinds.
TTB — Official Press ReleaseTTB Alleges Bribery Scheme in Industry Enforcement Action
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau issues a formal press release alleging a bribery scheme — a reminder that regulatory compliance and counterparty diligence remain non-negotiable in this market.
CFO.comUncle Nearest Founders' Bankruptcy Attempt Is Denied
A closely watched legal and financial situation continues to develop. The story underscores the operational and governance risks that can surface even in high-profile, well-capitalized brands.
Kentucky Distillers' AssociationKDA Economic Impact Report 2026
The Kentucky Distillers' Association's annual economic impact report — essential context on the scale, growth, and economic footprint of the Kentucky bourbon industry.
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