Pursuit Spirits Releases New Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye

LOUISVILLE, KY (June 13, 2025) – Pursuit Spirits, the whiskey brand founded by the innovative forces behind the renowned Bourbon Pursuit podcast, announces the release of Pursuit United Cognac Cask Rye. Not just another rye, this unique blend of straight rye whiskeys is finished in XO Cognac barrels and then bottled at Pursuit's signature 108 proof. 

The Cognac Cask Rye is the newest refined rulebender in the Pursuit United lineup, known for its ambitious and adventurous blended whiskeys made up of quality mash bills from world-class distillery destinations around the country. Built on the same award-winning foundation as Pursuit United Rye, which was crafted in partnership with fellow industry innovators, Bardstown Bourbon Company and Sagamore Spirit, this new blend seamlessly balances an elegant and evolving flavor profile. 

“After just one small-scale test in three short weeks, this rye easily became one of the best barrel finishes we’ve ever pulled off,” said Ryan Cecil, Pursuit Spirits Master Blender and CEO. “With that in mind, we quickly scaled it up by selecting full barrels that would enhance the cognac qualities. The result calls for a heavy pour.” 

The blend features 4 to 7-year-old whiskeys, offering a delightful combination of sweet fried dough, tart cranapple, rich roasted dates, and candied ginger on the nose, leading to a palate featuring soft baked apricots, comforting toasted bread pudding, earthy black walnuts, and sweet date syrup. A surprising finish brings notes of floral jasmine tea, bright orange zest, warming sweet paprika, and lingering charred oak. The mash bill breakdown is as follows:  

Bardstown Bourbon Co: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley  

Sagamore Spirit: 52% Rye, 43% Corn, 5% Malted Barley  

Sagamore Spirit: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley 

“Our Cognac Cask Rye is really just another example of what we do best – bottling bold flavors and encouraging others to drink a little more adventurously,” said Kenny Coleman, Pursuit Spirits Co-Founder and COO. “It’s a remarkably smooth journey from start to finish, and we hope it inspires people to gather around a bottle, reveling in the taste and the moment.”  

Members of P.Club, Pursuit Spirits’ premium subscription program, will get initial access with a public release to follow at the Mellwood Avenue distillery starting on July 3rd. For more information, please visit PursuitSpirits.com. 

ABOUT PURSUIT SPIRITS: 

Pursuit Spirits is a Louisville, Kentucky-based whiskey brand founded by the innovative forces behind the number one bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit. Their journey began with a deep curiosity and an unwavering dedication to the craft, leading them to seek out and blend exceptional American whiskeys. Rather than operating a traditional distillery, Pursuit Spirits has pioneered a modern, customized approach to blending, carefully selecting award-winning bourbon and rye barrels from multiple distilleries across the country. This unique method allows them to consistently craft small-batch expressions with unparalleled flavor complexity. Their award-winning Pursuit United line exemplifies this by harmoniously uniting diverse mash bills and barrel types. Additionally, their distillery-exclusive Mellwood Legacy Collection pays homage to the rich history of their distillery's location. Pursuit Spirits provides more than just bottles; their venue on Whiskey Row offers curated, immersive experiences where guests can participate in exclusive barrel selections and bottle their own whiskey; P. Club, an all-access, exclusive pass to Pursuit Spirits no matter your location; and a cocktail lounge called Trial + Error that seamlessly balances warm, lived-in charm and stylish modern comfort, complete with an extensive spirits menu and a variety of small bites.

LOCATIONS:

Distillery Location: 1700 Mellwood Ave. Louisville KY 40206

Soon-to-Open Whiskey Row Location: 722 W. Main St, Suite 100, Louisville KY 40202