Rooftop Bars, Audio Spirits, and Mead in the Mountains

We’re back with another pour of what’s buzzing in the world of barrels and honey. From historic distillery revivals and tariff turbulence to groundbreaking venues blending spirits with music, there’s plenty to sip on this week. Mead takes center stage at an upcoming Colorado festival, and a bold new distillery in Pittsburgh brings bourbon and cigars under one roof. Whether you’re into rare bottle releases or just curious where the next great pour is coming from, we’ve got your glass covered. Let’s dive in.

Burks Spring Bourbon is back with its second expression, now available in nearly 50 retail locations across Louisville and beyond, as well as in the Kentucky Artisan Distillery gift shop. Founded by Dick Burks, descendant of 19th-century bourbon maker Charles Burks, the brand pays homage to a legacy that began over 200 years ago on a farm in Loretto, KY. Their 100-proof high-rye bourbon builds on that heritage using a mash bill and process inspired by the original distillery, which operated until Prohibition. Fans can also look forward to a limited release of the Select 7 Year Reserve later this summer. For updates and details, head to burksspringbourbon.com.

Raise a glass of honeyed goodness, Mead Day returns Saturday, August 2, and it’s the perfect excuse to indulge in the world’s oldest fermented beverage. Started in 2002 by the American Homebrewers Association, Mead Day is all about celebrating the rich history, craft, and community behind mead. Whether you’re cracking open a bottle from your favorite local meadery, brewing your batch at home, or diving into a tasting with friends, it’s a day for everyone, from curious newbies to seasoned viking-level aficionados. Be sure to support your local beekeepers, too—they’re the real MVPs behind every great mead.

Buffalo Trace is adding serious heat to the Weller lineup with the release of Weller 18-Year-Old and Weller Millennium #2, both dropping just ahead of what would’ve been founder William Larue Weller’s 100th birthday. The 18-Year-Old, now the oldest Weller ever bottled, clocks in at 90 proof and promises a refined sip with notes of aged fruit, tobacco, and crisp green pear — all for a relatively modest (but still premium) $499. Meanwhile, the Millennium #2 goes ultra-luxe with a $7,500 price tag, blending vintage wheated bourbons and wheat whiskeys from 2001 to 2006. It comes in a crystal decanter with a lit display case, because of course it does. Both expressions highlight Buffalo Trace’s continued focus on wheat-forward whiskeys and are set to appear in limited quantities at select retailers, international airports, and online via Legacy de Forge.

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has found preliminary violations against former OLCC chief information officer Boba Subasic for using his position to access coveted bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle and Elmer T. Lee. Subasic is one of six former officials implicated in the 2023 scandal involving internal hoarding of rare liquor meant for public lotteries. While Subasic paid retail price for the bottles, commissioners argue he benefited unfairly from insider knowledge and early access. He now has 21 days to contest or settle the matter. Three others have accepted fines up to $1,500, and two additional cases remain under review. Though criminal charges weren’t filed, the ethics commission is pursuing penalties to address the misuse of public trust in liquor distribution.

The Steel City is getting a bold new bourbon destination as Big Spring Spirits prepares to open The Distillery Complex on Pittsburgh’s South Shore. Set in a restored six-story 19th-century warehouse once tied to pre-Prohibition whiskey legend Joseph S. Finch, the complex will feature a bottle shop, rooftop bar (The Finch), upscale cigar lounge (The Drawing Room), and a 300-person event space (The Reserve). The grand opening celebration is scheduled for July 28, marking the brand’s second location in Pennsylvania. With sustainability in mind and a design blending Pittsburgh grit with global cigar lounge luxury, the Distillery Complex hopes to reinvigorate a long-overlooked stretch of Second Street, while giving locals and visitors alike a place to sip, smoke, and savor.

Anaheim’s spirits scene just got a serious remix with the opening of Stone Groove Stillhouse, the world’s first “audio stillhouse” where music literally shapes the flavor. Using a proprietary Musically Mastered™ process, this new distillery pumps genre-specific sound waves into aging barrels to influence how the spirit interacts with the wood, resulting in spirits like Jazz Fusion Single Malt, Classic Rock Rye, and even a Beethoven Moonlight Sonata Whiskey. Set inside the historic MAKE Building, the space offers more than just experimental booze. It boasts a genre-themed cocktail program by world-class bartender Matt Fitzgerald and a globally inspired comfort food menu from Chef Jessica Luevano. Founded by coffee innovators Jeff and Christa Duggan (of Portola Coffee fame), Stone Groove blends sound, spirit, and storytelling into one unforgettable sensory experience.

Alcohol stocks dived after President Trump floated a 15–20% tariff on European imports, raising alarms about another round of trade wars with the EU. Industry leaders fear a repeat of the 2018 retaliatory tariffs, which tanked American whiskey exports by 20%. Since the 25% EU tariff was lifted in 2021, exports rebounded nearly 60%, but a new tariff clash could reverse those gains. The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) is urging Trump to return to a zero-tariff agreement, warning that reintroducing tariffs would devastate U.S. distillers, farmers, and hospitality workers. With a looming August 1 deadline and threats of even steeper tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the global spirits trade is bracing for impact.

The 10th Annual Estes Park Wine Festival hits Bond Park August 9–10, and while there’ll be plenty of wine to go around, mead lovers take note: four standout Colorado meaderies will be pouring all weekend. Dragon Meadery, Hunters Moon Meadery, Mad Marmot Meadery, and Meadkrieger Meadery will represent the honey wine scene with a range of styles from traditional to adventurous fruit and spice blends. Your ticket includes unlimited tastings, a wine glass, a tote, and access to music, food vendors, and local artisans. VIP perks include catered food and premium pours. Grab your ticket at estesparkwinefestival.com and come toast the Rockies, one honeyed sip at a time.

Hidden Barn Whiskey has brought on Cincinnati cocktail legend Molly Wellmann as its new Master Taster. Known nationally for her expertise in American whiskey and historical cocktails, Wellmann will work closely with the Neeley Family Distillery team to guide batching and single barrel selections, building on the foundation set by Master Blender Emeritus Jackie Zykan. With Hidden Barn now distributing in 20 states, Wellmann’s deep knowledge of on-premise trends, spirits education, and cocktail creation adds major firepower to the brand’s growth. Fans can expect to see her at the distillery and out in the field, bottle signing and storytelling with her signature style.

As a medically retired police lieutenant with 31 years of service, this hits close to home for me. In Baton Rouge, bourbon is doing more than warming glasses; it’s protecting lives. The Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation (CALEF) has launched a high-stakes raffle featuring a $70,000 flight of E.H. Taylor bourbons to raise funds for rifle-rated bulletproof bullet-resistant vests. Sparked by the tragic 2016 ambush that killed multiple officers wearing only handgun-rated gear, the raffle honors their memory by equipping current officers with top-tier protection from Angel Armor. Tickets are $100, with a second prize of a 20-year-old Double Eagle Very Rare. The draw is August 15, and proceeds will outfit the Baton Rouge, LSU, and Southern University police departments. 

I.W. Harper just launched its rarest bourbon yet—a 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey aged at Stitzel-Weller since 1989—and it’s making waves beyond the bottle. Released in collaboration with two-time Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo, this ultra-limited spirit (only 11 bottles exist, 5 of which will be auctioned off via Sotheby’s) celebrates Black excellence, fashion, identity, and legacy. Proceeds from the auction benefit Native Son, a nonprofit supporting Black queer men. Bottled at cask strength (63.1% ABV), the whiskey was designed to showcase structure and restraint rather than just tasting notes. Domingo calls the project “deeply personal,” tying it to storytelling and visibility in communities often overlooked. With a silk scarf by designer Michelle Cadore and packaging inspired by couture, this drop is more than a collector’s dream—it’s whiskey as a cultural statement. Bidding runs through August 7.

Southern California mead lovers, mark your calendars—Mediocrity Mead in San Marcos is celebrating Mead Day this Saturday, August 2, with the return of a crowd favorite: Blueberry Waffle. Made with ripe blueberries, rich maple syrup, and real vanilla beans, this seasonal draft mead leans a touch sweeter than their usual offerings but still packs that earthy, well-balanced sip fans crave. It’s a limited release and a local legend for good reason. Stop by the tasting room for a glass, and stick around for karaoke—because it’s not Mead Day in California without a little singing and a whole lot of honeyed fun.

That’s a wrap for this edition — whether you’re hunting down a crystal-decantered Weller, sipping blueberry mead on Mead Day, or just raising a glass to summer, here’s to finding something worth the pour. Stay curious, stay kind to your local makers (and beekeepers), and as always, we’ll see you next round with more bourbon and mead news worth buzzing about. Cheers!