We’ve been living out of suitcases lately. Between officially opening up the West Coast and those back-to-back market visits, it’s been a whirlwind, but it’s the only way to really see how the brand is landing on the ground. On today’s episode, we’re recapping those travels and diving deep into the inception of Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon. We talk about the momentum we’re seeing from one release to the next and how a successful launch like this actually dictates our LTO strategy as we start mapping out the calendar for the rest of 2026 and even into 2027. We also get into the weeds on the "finishing" craze. There is a lot of noise in the market right now, so we’re asking the hard questions: Does a wood-finished product actually land better with the consumer than a wine, spirit, or even a honey-maple finish? Plus, we get honest about the "gut feeling"—could we tell Sakura Bloom was going to be a hit before it ever touched a shelf, or is it always a gamble until the first reviews start rolling in?Show Notes: Market Challenges and Opportunities Product Development: Sakura Bloom Bourbon Consumer Reception and Market Trends The Anticipation of Product Success Building Trust with Consumers The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection Future Product Strategies and Market Adaptation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices