BARDSTOWN, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2026--
Bardstown Bourbon Company is introducing Bourbon Gifting Reimagined, a first-of-its-kind innovation in American whiskey that transforms how consumers personalize and share a bottle. While NFC technology has appeared in packaging before, it has never been deployed at scale as a secondary, consumer-driven gifting application—until now.
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Launching ahead of Father’s Day, the program allows consumers to apply a premium NFC sticker to any bottle and attach a custom message, photo, or video that lives directly with the gift. With the simple tap of a smartphone, the recipient unlocks a personal experience created by the giver—turning a great bottle into something that lasts well beyond the pour.
While spirits brands have historically used connected packaging to ensure authenticity or deliver brand storytelling, Bourbon Gifting Reimagined shifts the focus to the consumer—giving them a simple, intuitive way to create and share their own story directly on the bottle.
“At Bardstown Bourbon Company, we’re always exploring what bourbon can become,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender. “This is a natural extension of that mindset. It’s not about changing the bottle—it’s about adding something to it. Something personal. Something that lasts.”
The technology behind the program was developed in partnership with Eurostampa and io.tt, combining premium label craftsmanship with a seamless digital experience.
“By embedding NFC tag technology into the special front-label medallion, Bardstown Bourbon Company has unlocked a personalized gifting experience unique to the American whiskey category,” said Ermanno Bosco who leads marketing innovation for Eurostampa North America. “Unlike hidden back-label QR codes, NFC labels preserve a premium look while delivering immediate, purposeful value to consumers with a single phone tap. We believe the future of packaging lies in elevated engagement, and we are excited to help Bardstown shepherd the industry forward.”
“This is where connected packaging becomes truly meaningful,” said Cameron Worth, Founder and CEO of io.tt. “Instead of brands simply pushing content, this platform lets consumers create something of their own. Bardstown saw that opportunity and made it effortless—one tap, and the bottle becomes personal.”
The program will be available nationwide across retail, events, and at the brand’s Bardstown distillery and Louisville Tasting Room. Consumers can also request an NFC sticker to be shipped directly to their home at no cost by visiting bardstownbourbon.com/gifting.
While launching around Father’s Day, Bourbon Gifting Reimagined is designed to extend far beyond a single occasion. The digital platform supports a range of moments—from birthdays and celebrations to thank-yous and everyday gestures—turning the bottle into a lasting expression of connection.
As a company known for pushing the boundaries of bourbon, this launch reinforces Bardstown Bourbon Company’s belief that innovation doesn’t stop at the liquid. Even in packaging and gifting, there is nowhere they won’t go.
ABOUT BARDSTOWN BOURBON
Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon combines the highest quality distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail TM. Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon was named Icons of Whisky Global Brand Innovator of the Year (2025), IWSC’s Worldwide Whisky Producer of the Year (2023), and the only brand represented on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 list in five different years (2019, 2021-2025). Bardstown Bourbon Co. is part of Lofted Spirits, one of the largest American Whiskey distillers in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.
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Bourbon Gifting Reimagined transforms any bottle of Bardstown Bourbon into a memorable gifting moment using near field communication technology to attach a custom message, photo, or video that lives directly with the gift. With the simple tap of a smartphone, the recipient unlocks a personal experience created by the giver—turning a great bottle into something that lasts well beyond the pour.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves had plenty of lulls during the regular season, seemingly coasting at times while struggling to recapture the form that fueled them to consecutive Western Conference finals appearances over the last two years.
The postseason switch sure got flipped against the rival Denver Nuggets, as the players promised all along. The energy and urgency was never greater than in the series-clinching Game 6 victory on Thursday, when the determined Timberwolves shook off the absence of their three best guards and beat the Nuggets 110-98.
“Still part of our growth,” coach Chris Finch said. “We’ve been really good with the high moments. Our consistency sometimes throughout the season isn’t always there, which we don’t really like about ourselves, but we know we have it in ourselves to meet these moments.”
Jaden McDaniels clearly does.
Nobody on the Timberwolves embodies the mercurial nature of this close-knit but often-moody team than McDaniels, the sixth-year forward who made a name for himself in this series.
Tirelessly chasing All-Star guard Jamal Murray around screens and everywhere he tried to go along the perimeter, limiting him to 4-for-17 shooting in Game 6, McDaniels did even more on the offensive end.
With a big chunk of the team's shot creation missing due to injuries to Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu, McDaniels went 13 for 25 from the floor for 32 points with 10 rebounds.
“What I was the most proud about him was just his emotional control, being able to stay poised, not overreact to adversity, calls or missed shots, or mistakes,” teammate Rudy Gobert said. "He stayed present, and he stepped up big time when we needed him the most, so I’m really, really proud of him.”
McDaniels tossed even more spice into this well-developed rivalry early in the series with his blanket “ bad defenders ” jab at the opponent, and he made no secret of the motivation he gets from seeing “Denver” or “Nuggets” sewed on the other team's jersey.
“The only thing I said to him, after he had made his comments, was, ‘Now it’s time to back it up,’” Finch said. “And talking doesn’t matter. You've got to go do it. I knew he was going to put the effort in, so he was ready for it, and he owned it, and he responded.”
McDaniels later irked Nuggets star Nikola Jokic by taking an uncontested layup in the closing seconds of Minnesota's blowout win in Game 4, sparking a brief shoving match.
McDaniels had his worst game of the series in the loss in Game 5 on Monday, when he was booed often by the Denver crowd, but he responded on his home court with one of the best games of his career.
With the Timberwolves trying to put away the game, McDaniels delivered the dagger shot — swishing his signature mid-range pull-up to give them a seven-point lead with 1:06 to play. Then he intercepted a harried pass by Jokic to get the ball back and start a parade to the line.
Jokic gave McDaniels a hug after the final horn, a sign of respect from the three-time NBA MVP despite the irritation he caused all series long.
“I’m just happy it’s over, happy we were able to come out on top,” McDaniels said. “Stuff was said. I’m just happy we were all able to prove our point, get the win and move on to the next round.”
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs have been waiting. They'll host Game 1 on Monday.
“I figured the real winner of this series was going to be San Antonio, because both these teams were going to take a lot of pieces out of each other, and did,” Finch said. “So I’m not sure what we have left standing there before we go down there.”
Even if they're short-handed and overmatched, the Timberwolves are a good bet to put up a strong fight.
“You have to believe that you can win, no matter what,” Gobert said. "Obviously we’re missing some pretty important players, right? But no matter who’s out there, we believe in our defense. We believe in trusting one another. Anything’s possible.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves co-owner Alex Rodriguez celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jaylen Clark (22) get into an altercation during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, left, looks on during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Denver Nuggets, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1) celebrates his three-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
