Shortbarrel Bourbon Unveils 'The Shortlist' Membership Club and New Four Grain Bourbon as Distribution Expands Nationwide

ATLANTA, GA (July 2025) — In a bold move aimed at deepening fan engagement and accelerating national growth, Shortbarrel Bourbon has launched The Shortlist—a direct-to-consumer membership club—alongside the debut of its most accessible and ambitious whiskey to date: a Kentucky Four Grain Bourbon designed to elevate the everyday pour.

Both announcements signal a pivotal new era for the Atlanta-based brand, known for blending high-age barrels with boutique precision and releasing limited-edition drops that consistently sell out. As distribution expands and fan demand surges, Shortbarrel is making it clear: this isn’t just another craft brand. It’s a movement in motion.

Introducing The Shortlist:

Not Just Another Whiskey Club

The Shortlist isn’t a gimmick. It’s a direct pipeline to the barrels Shortbarrel didn’t want to let go of—unique blends, experiments, and age-stretched picks that the team chose to keep close to their most loyal fans. Membership includes bottles (no upcharges or add-ons), plus first access to unreleased blends, flash drops, and behind-the-scenes content.

All bottles are shipped legally to 48 states via Shortbarrel’s retail fulfillment partner, Bottle Nexus.

“This isn’t a gimmick,” says co-founder and master blender Clinton Dugan. “This is our best stuff—barrels we’ve held back, blends we’ve sat on, whiskey that was never meant for the masses. The Shortlist is for the people who ask, what's next.”

Co-founder Patrick Lemmond adds, “The Shortlist gives us a direct line to our biggest supporters. We’re not just building a club—we’re building a deeper connection. Every bottle tells a story, and now we get to share those stories without compromise.”

Importantly, The Shortlist isn’t designed to compete with retail or distribution—it’s meant to fuel them. The deeper fan loyalty and storytelling fostered through the program drive shelf recognition, trial, and conversion, strengthening Shortbarrel’s presence in every market it touches.

New Four Grain Bourbon:

Redefining Shelf-Available Bourbon Under $40

Launching alongside The Shortlist is a new permanent addition to Shortbarrel’s core line: a Four Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon that blends two sourced mash bills—to create a final profile of 65% Corn / 20% Wheat / 3% Rye / 12% Malted Barley.

At 92 proof, non-chill filtered, and aged 4–5 years, this bourbon is purpose-built for everyday drinking—but still wears the fingerprints of Shortbarrel’s blending style: layered, balanced, and just nerdy enough to raise eyebrows in the under-$40 category.

“This one threw curveballs at us the entire time,” says Dugan. “We spent eight months getting it right. We didn’t want something cheap—we wanted something exceptional that happened to be under $40.”

Co-founder Adam Dorfman adds, “The Four Grain represents how far our blending has come. It’s a shelf bourbon, sure—but it’s got complexity and structure most brands wouldn’t dare put in this price point. We wanted to make something people reach for again and again—and we did.”

Now available in Georgia, Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee—with Texas and DTC shipping going live in the coming weeks—the Four Grain marks Shortbarrel’s clearest statement yet that “accessible” doesn’t mean boring.

A New Gate to Growth: Old Fourth Distillery Lands at ATL

As if that weren’t enough, Shortbarrel’s sister label, Old Fourth Distillery, will open its first airport tasting bar and retail store in October 2025, located in Concourse E of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which sees over 16 million travelers annually. The opening represents a major leap in consumer discovery and brand awareness.

“This is about reach,” says Dugan. “From airport bars to at-home deliveries, we’re building the most fan-connected whiskey brand in the country.”

Why This Matters:

While many independent whiskey brands chase collectors or aim to look bigger than they are, Shortbarrel is quietly becoming both: a beloved insider brand and a national contender. With hands-on blending, lean operations, and a sharp focus on community-first growth, it’s no wonder fans—and more than a few investors—are watching closely.

“We’ve built this brand brick by brick, bottle by bottle,” says co-founder Adam Dorfman. “What you’re seeing now—the growth, the momentum, the connection to our customers—that’s all real. And it’s just the beginning. We’re building something with staying power.”

Shortbarrel Bourbon — Crafted in Atlanta. Sourced with Intention. Blended for Impact.

That’s not just a tagline—it’s the blueprint. Every release is rooted in transparency, obsessive blending, and a deep respect for the people who drink it. With The Shortlist, a new Four Grain built for everyday excellence, and an airport bar on the horizon, Shortbarrel isn’t just growing—it’s scaling with purpose.

The future of American whiskey isn’t mass-produced.It’s crafted, curated, and community-driven.

And it’s just getting started.