The Liquor Connoisseur

The Industry "Shakeout": Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard MERGER? + The Uncle Nearest Receivership Saga

Drink to remember, not to forget. Please enjoy the craft of fine spirits responsibly. This video is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). The "Bourbon Renaissance" is officially over, and the "Historic Shakeout" has begun.In this special report, Crystal and Roger dive deep into the state of the whiskey industry in 2026. From the shocking merger talks between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard to the "High Stakes War" for control of Uncle Nearest, the landscape of American spirits is shifting faster than ever.In this episode, we break down:The Merger of Equals: What the Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard deal means for Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve if it happens.The Uncle Nearest Saga: Receivership, Chapter 11 dismissals, and the $100M+ battle with Farm Credit.The "Ozempic Effect": How GLP-1s and the rise of CBD/THC beverages are hurting spirit consumption.The Surplus Crisis: Kentucky has 16.1 million barrels aging (4 per person!), but sales are slowing.The "Winners": Why Buffalo Trace is flooding the zone while Jim Beam pauses production at Clermont.DRINK SMARTER WITH THE BAR BOOK APP 📖Take the guesswork out of your next pour. Discover spirits and cocktails you’ll actually love.Download on Apple & Android: [Insert Your Link Here]TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - The State of the Industry: The Bubble is Bursting1:15 - The Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard Potential Merger3:10 - Tariffs, CBD, & The Ozempic Effect4:45 - The Uncle Nearest Saga: Receivership & Bankruptcy Drama7:20 - Kentucky Owl & Stoli: A Comeback in Jeopardy?9:05 - The $75M Barrel Tax & The Surplus Crisis11:30 - Jim Beam Pauses Production: A Sign of the Times13:15 - Buffalo Trace: The King of Allocation Wins Again15:00 - How to Support Local Craft Distilleries#WhiskeyIndustry #BourbonBubble #UncleNearest #WhiskeyNews #BuffaloTrace #LiquorConnoisseur #BrownForman #PernodRicard

A 100-Year-Old Blend for Only $75?! | Bhakta 1928 Review

Drink to remember, not to forget. Please enjoy the craft of fine spirits responsibly. This video is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). In this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Roger and Crystal finally unseal a masterpiece: a custom-engraved bottle of Bhakta 1928. Is this the ultimate "gateway spirit" for bridging the gap between Brandy/Cognac lovers and Rye Whiskey fans?🥂 SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by the Bar Book app! Discover your perfect pour, take the guesswork out of finding spirits you'll love, and drink smarter. Download the Bar Book app for free on Apple and Android today!About Bhakta 1928:Created by Raj Bhakta (founder of WhistlePig), this 100-proof spirit is a stunning marriage of 2018 Straight Rye Whiskey (60%), XO Calvados (30%), and ancient French Armagnac vintages dating back to 1928 (10%). At $75, does it deliver on its "100-year-old" promise? We break down the nose, the tasting notes, the juiciness of the Calvados, and the beautiful rye spice finish.Shoutout to Engraving by Grace LeBlanc for the incredible custom bottle art!If you’ve tried Bhakta 1928 or any of their other expressions, let us know your thoughts in the comments!👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share!🥃 Please drink to remember, not to forget. Cheers!#Bhakta1928 #WhiskeyReview #RyeWhiskey #Armagnac #Calvados #BourbonTube #WhiskeyTasting #theliquorconnoisseur #drinktoremembernottoforget #BourbonReview #CraftSpirits #Mixology #SpiritsEducation, #TastingNotes #HowToTasteWhiskey #BestBourbon2026 #HomeBarChapters:0:00 - Intro & The Bar Book App0:45 - What is Bhakta 1928? (Specs & Price)1:20 - The Custom Engraved Bottle2:30 - The Pour & First Impressions3:15 - Tasting Notes: Rye Spice meets Calvados4:50 - The Verdict: Who is this spirit for?

The Birthplace of American Whiskey? | PonFEIGH Monongahela Style Rye

Drink to remember, not to forget. Please enjoy the craft of fine spirits responsibly. This video is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Is this the smoothest 120-proof whiskey on the market? 🥃Today on The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger are diving into a special find from their East Coast journey: Ponfeigh West Pennsylvania Cask Strength Single Barrel Rye.Hailing from Somerset, PA—the literal birthplace of American Whiskey—this "Monongahela Style" rye skips the "corn shenanigans" and delivers a massive 95% rye punch. But here’s the kicker: despite being 60% ABV, it drinks like a dream with notes of Apple Cinnamon, "Cinnamon Toast Crunch," and buttery baked goods.In this episode, we discuss:What exactly is "Monongahela Style" Rye?The unique "Letterman Patch" bottle design.Why we think this $70 bottle is 100% gift-worthy.Our experience at the Reading Terminal Market and Pennsylvania Libations.How to get your Rye Whiskey Certificate through Whiskey University!DRINK SMARTER WITH THE BAR BOOK APP 📖Take the guesswork out of your next pour. Discover spirits and cocktails you’ll actually love.Download on Apple & AndroidJOIN WHISKEY UNIVERSITY 🎓Want to learn more about Monongahela Rye? Comment "Whiskey University" below, and we’ll help you get started on your certificate! The first five classes are free.  @whiskeyuniversity9706  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcbsaR4brc2Ex_q4lYMcUoQ] TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - No Corn Shenanigans: What is Monongahela Rye?1:15 - Meet Pon Faye: The Somerset, PA Story2:30 - The "Letterman Jacket" Bottle Design3:45 - The Pour & The "Worst Cork Pop Ever"5:10 - Tasting Notes: Cinnamon Toast Crunch?7:30 - Why there is NO burn at 120 Proof9:00 - Is it worth $70? (Gift-Worthiness)11:20 - How to join Whiskey University#Ponfeigh #ryewhiskey #PennsylvaniaWhiskey #whiskeyreview #theliquorconnoisseur #MonongahelaRye #caskstrength

Grain-to-Glass Arkansas Gin: Delta Dirt Tall Cotton Review

Drink to remember, not to forget. Please enjoy the craft of fine spirits responsibly. This video is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Raising Spirits in the Delta! 🌿🍸In this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger dive into a bottle that has been a long time coming: Tall Cotton Gin from Delta Dirt Distillery.Located in the Arkansas Delta, Delta Dirt is a family-owned, four-generation farm and distillery with deep roots. We discuss their incredible transition from sharecropping to owning the land and producing world-class spirits using sweet potatoes, corn, and wheat grown right on their farm.Is it really the "tea of spirits"? Roger and Crystal break down the "finger-snap crisp" profile of this 92-proof gin, its surprising peppery finish, and why Roger compares the refreshing tingle to a legendary McDonald’s Sprite. Whether you're a gin purist or looking for the perfect cocktail mixer, this Arkansas gem is one you need to hear about.In this episode, we cover:The history of Papa Joe and the Williams family legacy.The "Grain-to-Glass" process and the use of sweet potatoes.Tasting notes: Juniper, Black Pepper, and Citrus.Best ways to drink it (Hint: Try an orange twist!).A shoutout to Pronghorn and the Delta Dirt story.Price Point: $36.99Proof: 92 (46% ABV)“Drink to remember, not to forget.”Timestamps0:00 — Intro to Delta Dirt Distillery0:35 — The Specs: Proof, Price, and Grain-to-Glass1:10 — The Family Legacy: From Sharecropping to Moonshine2:15 — The Fresh Crack: Pouring Tall Cotton Gin3:04 — The Nose: Earthy, Crisp, and Juniper3:30 — Is Gin just "Vodka with Seasoning"?4:12 — The Taste: Warmth, Sweetness, and Balance5:05 — The "McDonald’s Sprite" Comparison6:10 — Who is this for? (Newbies vs. Intermediates)7:00 — Cocktail Suggestions: Tea, Soda, and Orange Twists8:15 — Final Thoughts & Supporting Local Brands#GinReview #DeltaDirt #TallCottonGin #CraftDistillery #ArkansasMade #GrainToGlass #LiquorConnoisseur #BlackOwnedBusiness #GinTasting #spirits Find us online:Instagram: @theliquorconnoisseurFacebook: @theliquorconnoisseurTikTok: @theliquorconnoisseurSpotify: @theliquorconnoisseurWebsite: theliquorconnoisseur.comFind Delta Dirt: deltadirtdistillery.com

Four Roses 2025 Single Barrel Flight 🥃 OESO vs OESK vs OBSF (Which Recipe Wins?)

Drink to remember, not to forget. Please enjoy the craft of fine spirits responsibly. This video is intended for audiences of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Four Roses fans, what's your favorite recipe?In this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review the Four Roses 2025 Single Barrel releases (100 proof, aged 7–9 years), featuring recipes OESO, OESK, and OBSF. These annual releases rotate through Four Roses’ recipe system built from two mash bills + five yeast strains, and the flavors get wildly distinct.Expect a full tasting journey: rich red fruit and brown sugar, baking spice and caramel, rye spice with apple and mint, plus a breakdown of what the recipe codes actually mean so you can pick your lane like a pro.🥃 What you’ll get in this episode:• How Four Roses recipe codes work (mash bill + yeast strain)• Flavor notes by pour (fruit-forward vs spice-forward vs herbal/rye)• Why 100 proof is the sweet spot for evaluation• How to build your palate for rye spice• Our final picks: team OESK vs team OBSF🎧 Sponsored by The Bar Book AppDiscover your perfect pour. Join free and take the guesswork out of finding spirits and cocktails you’ll love.👇 Comment below: Which one are you, OESO, OESK or OBSF… and why?#FourRoses #SingleBarrelBourbon #BourbonFlight #WhiskeyReview#OESK #OBSF #OESO #BourbonTasting #LiquorConnoisseur #DrinkToRemember #fourrosesbourbon #whiskeyuniversity  @FourRosesBourbon  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCqMZ0V7mc2R0Da6ieRwMipA]  @whiskeyuniversity9706  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCcbsaR4brc2Ex_q4lYMcUoQ] 🔗 SOCIAL MEDIA LINKSInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theliquorconnoisseurTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theliquorconnoisseurFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theliquorconnoisseurWebsite: https://theliquorconnoisseur.com