Shortbarrel Bourbon announced the launch of The Shortlist — a direct-to-consumer membership club — alongside the debut of a Kentucky Four Grain Bourbon.

The Shortlist is a direct pipeline to the barrels Atlanta-based 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,” co-founder and master blender Clinton Dugan said in a news release. “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 added, “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.”

The Shortlist isn’t designed to compete with retail or distribution — it’s meant to fuel them. The fan loyalty and storytelling fostered through the program is designed to drive shelf recognition, trial, and conversion.

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,” Dugan said. “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 added, “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, Texas and DTC shipping will be going live in the coming weeks.

Addiitonally, 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,” Dugan said. “From airport bars to at-home deliveries, we’re building the most fan-connected whiskey brand in the country.”

For more information, visit https://shortbarrelbourbon.com/.