profile

Zbar Bourbon Club

We pulled it off, Fort Wayne. Thank you.

Published 23 days ago • 2 min read

ZBar Bourbon Club

Weekend Update

Hey friends,

What a week. Bourbon Fest last Saturday, a drive to Missouri Monday and Tuesday for a barrel pick, and tomorrow Zach and Marcella get married. (Yes, that Marcella. She still hasn't found a bourbon she loves, but she found a husband.) We skipped Tuesday's email, so this is both of this week's newsletters rolled into one.

ZBar News

Thank You, Fort Wayne

Last Saturday was the biggest day in ZBar history. About 700 people came through Vinland, with more than 600 ticket holders, and every paid ticket class sold out.

A few thank-yous:

  • Our sponsors and distillery partners. You poured, you talked bourbon, and you made it a festival.
  • Ben Schwartz of Southern Glazer's. Our signs were taller than the tent walls, so Ben built a frame from scratch to hang them on Friday night.
  • Our volunteers and planners, no way this event comes together without all of you.
  • My ZZ Promotions Partner, Zac Carper and the Barrel Proof Liquors crew.
  • All of you who came up to say hi. I took more selfies Saturday than in the rest of my life combined.

The Horse Soldier FWBF collaboration bottle was a hit too. That full review is coming soon.

Hit reply and tell me one thing we should change for 2027. I read every one.

LIVE Monday: "We Pulled It Off!"

Monday, October 5 at 8pm ET, I'm going LIVE on YouTube with Zac Carper of Barrel Proof Liquors, Ben Gillette of Big Bourbon Club, Stephan Armstrong the Executive Bourbon Steward, and some of the festival planners. We'll cover what worked, what we'd change, what's next for 2027, and take your questions live.

Patreon Giveaway

One ZBar Patreon member will win a bottle of their choice from our available barrel picks. The winner will be drawn on October 23 (any Patreon member eligible, free or paid).

You Pick: Next ZBar Bottle Share

Missouri: Ben Holladay, Round Two

Monday and Tuesday I was at Ben Holladay with Fady from Benstein Liquors, our second Holladay pick this fall. That sets up a fun comparison: same distillery, two stores, two barrels. If you missed the first one, it's still one of the toughest picks we've done.

This Week in Whiskey News
  • Canada ban takes effect. A US ban on many Canadian alcohol imports took effect Tuesday. Many bulk, unbottled shipments are still allowed, but bottled whisky and most other packaged drinks are banned. Crown Royal is reportedly getting around it by shipping in bulk.
  • Pappy prices are out. Buffalo Trace announced this year's Van Winkle release: Old Rip 10 at $170, the 12 Year Lot B at $200, and Pappy 15 at $300. Good luck finding them at those prices. Hunt season is officially on.
  • MGP puts its own name on the bottle. MGP released Chapter One: Out of the Shadows, a 10-year Indiana straight bourbon, the first whiskey named for the former Seagram's distillery. We tried it last week.
  • Cowboy Bourbon goes national. The 2026 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon hit national retail on October 1 at 141 proof, $249.99, with 16,000 bottles.
  • Blue Note goes sweet. Blue Note expanded its Honey Bourbon and Rye release.
  • New from Angel's Envy. Angel's Envy unveiled Cellar Collection Vol. 6, finished in peach brandy and toasted oak.

That's it for this week. Thanks for being part of the best bourbon community around.

Cheers,
Steve

Sip Together, Learn Together, Have Fun Together.

410 Club Course Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46814-8955
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Zbar Bourbon Club

Sip Together, Learn Together, Have Fun Together

If you’re passionate about bourbon and want to discover better bottles, you’re in the right place. Subscribe to the ZBar Bourbon Club email list and get instant access to our complete database of 100+ whiskey reviews, including exclusive ZBar Ratings to help you find your next great pour. As a email list member, you’ll also get; Early access to barrel picks & bottle releases, Invitations to bottle shares, Behind-the-scenes access to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and Insider updates, reviews, and exclusive content. Join the community today and take your bourbon journey to the next level.

Read more from Zbar Bourbon Club

ZBar Bourbon Club Special - Weekend Update Hey ZBar fam, What a weekend it's shaping up to be. Last night we hosted our very first Patreon LIVE, and today we're bringing the fun in person with a one-day deal at Barrel Proof Liquors. Here's everything you need to know. ZBar News PATREON LIVE SUCCESS We had a few audio gremlins early on (first-time Patreon LIVE jitters!), but once we got those sorted, the night was a blast. About 25 of you joined us to hang out, talk bourbon, and get a first...

1 day ago • 1 min read

ZBar Bourbon Club Weekly Download Hey friends, I filmed three hunt videos last week on our way to Louisville (Bob-O-Link, Cork Liquors, and Old Town Liquors). As I was filming them it became clear the bourbon world is changing and fast. No wonder over 7,000 people tuned into the A1 Liquors video we posted last Monday. I think everyone is curious about what is happening to the industry and no better place to find out than how the liquor stores are reacting. Those 3 videos will be coming out 1...

5 days ago • 2 min read

ZBar Bourbon Club Weekly Download Hey friends, What a week. Thursday, Zac from Barrel Proof Liquors and I headed to Four Roses to pick a barrel… and came home with two. Then Saturday’s Bottle Share turned into one of the best nights we’ve had as a club. Thank you to everyone who brought a bottle, a story and a big appetite for good conversation. To me the standout pour may have been the Peerless ZBar pick that JRam brought (full review of that bottle coming out the end of this week). ZBar...

12 days ago • 2 min read