Latest news with #KentuckyDistillers'Association
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
A record 2.7M people visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024. What to know
A record number of 2.7 million people visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024 as it celebrated its 25th anniversary. Visitors came from all 50 states and more than 20 countries across six continents last year, up from 2.5 million tourists in 2023, the third straight year topping the two million mark, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. 'The combination of American history, picturesque scenery and legendary Kentucky hospitality continues to attract people from all over the world to get a deeper look into what makes our bourbon family so special,' Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers' Association, said in a news release. More than 20 million people have visited a Bourbon Trail distillery since it was founded with seven distilleries in 1999. Today, 60 distilleries are on the trail. More: Here's how Trump's 'half-baked tariffs' could impact the Kentucky bourbon industry 'Our Bourbon Trail distillers, from the largest to the smallest, continue to create new ways for visitors to experience our mellow, amber nectar,' Gregory said in the release. "There's more to do, see, and taste than ever before.' Here's a breakdown on the demographics of the people who have visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: 62% of Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors have incomes above $100,000 76% of visitors are from outside of Kentucky Most visitors stay three to five days in communities featuring a Bourbon Trail distillery Visitors spend between $600 and $1,400 during their trip on dining, entertainment, lodging and transportation Historically, trail visitors come from states within a six-hour drive from Kentucky. But in 2024, distilleries saw a "surge" of visitors from states outside that drive time, including California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. More: Looking for a new bourbon? Here are 6 new Kentucky bourbon, whiskies to try this month 'The Kentucky Bourbon Trail knows no limits in its popularity, and I can't wait to see where it goes in our next 25 years,' Gregory said in the release. 'The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to welcoming millions more to enjoy it, responsibly, of course.' Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Record 2.7M people visited the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 2024
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bourbon Trail sees 2.7 million visitors
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail saw a record 2.7 million visitors last year as it celebrated its 25th anniversary. In Owensboro, Green River Distilling more than doubled its number of visitors from 8,142 in 2023 to more than 16,000 last year. The Kentucky Distillers' Association said visitors to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail came from all 50 states and more than 20 counties on six continents. Today, the trail has more than 60 distilleries. The report said that 62% of visitors have incomes above $100,000 and 76% were from outside of Kentucky. It said that most spend three to five days in communities with a distillery and spend between $600 and $1,400 on dining, entertainment, lodging and transportation. The report said that last year the Trail saw a surge of visitors from states including California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, New York and Pennsylvania. • That indoor sports complex at 500 W. Third St. that we've been talking about for a couple of years now is moving forward. Envision Contractors picked up a building permit for a $10.8 million, 94,599-square-foot building. The total cost is expected to be $16.579 million. The building will have seven full-sized basketball courts that can be converted for use as volleyball, pickleball or other sports and have an area suitable for futsal, a mezzanine, concessions and offices. • After months of rising unemployment rates, some counties, like Daviess, are seeing falling rates. The state reported this week that unemployment rates rose in 83 counties, fell in 33 counties and stayed the same in Grant, Graves, Knox and Pulaski counties between February 2024 and February 2025. Woodford County had the lowest at 3.9%. Magoffin and Wolfe counties had the highest at 11.1%. In this area, Daviess reported a rate of 5.1%, down from 5.2% in both this January and last February. Hancock was at 6% in February, down from 6.4% in January but up from 5.3% a year earlier. McLean saw a rate of 5.7%, down from 5.8% in January and 6% the previous February. Muhlenberg reported 7.1% in February, down from 7.3% in January and 7.5% a year earlier. And Ohio saw a rate of 6.9% in January, down from 7.2% in January and 7.1% the previous February. • The Owensboro Convention Center is a nominee for Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings magazines' ninth annual Stella Awards as the Best Stand-Alone Facility in the Midwest Region. The center has won one of the awards in each of the past eight years. Voting is open now through May 2. They can be cast at • Shorter people can now ride Holiday World's Thunderbird roller coaster. The theme park has lowered the height requirement from 52 inches to 48. The Thunderbird opened in May 2015 with the 52-inch requirement. But the manufacturer has since lowered it to 48 inches and the theme park agreed. Leah Koch-Blumhardt, director of communications and a fourth-generation owner of the park, said, 'We strive to choose attractions the whole family can ride together, so this was exciting news. However, we do apologize to all the parents who were planning to use the 52-inch height requirement as motivation for their children to eat their veggies this year.' Holiday World will open on May 10 and Splashin' Safari will open a week later.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bourbon industry in crosshairs of U.S.-Canada trade war
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Distilleries in the heart of America's bourbon industry are finding themselves in the crosshairs of a brewing trade war between the U.S. and Canada. Alcohol made in the U.S. is being removed from store shelves in Canada in retaliation for tariffs placed on its products by the Trump administration. It's also leading to canceled shipment orders and stalled liquor agreements with potential trading partners, some Kentucky bourbon businesses say. The family-owned Michter's Distillery in Louisville has already lost $115,000 in canceled bourbon shipment orders to Canada, its largest foreign market as liquor stores in most Canadian provinces have been asked to remove products from their shelves. 'That's the reality of it,' said Andrea Wilson, chief operating officer of Michter's. 'We would prefer to see less tariffs than more.' Earlier this month, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico — two of the country's largest trade partners — before postponing it amid trepidation of a broader trade war. On Tuesday, Trump amplified his tough tariff talk, saying he would double the tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imported from Canada. The threat came one day after Ontario's premier, the leader of Canada's most populous province, announced it would charge 25% more for electricity to 1.5 million Americans. Kentucky's bourbon industry pours about $9 billion into the local economy annually, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The state produces about 95% of the bourbon sold in the world, the association estimates. While data on the tariffs' effects is unavailable, U.S. consumers likely won't see a price increase on bourbon for at least a few months, said Marten Lodewijks, president of the U.S. division of the beverage industry data firm IWSR. But Kentucky distilleries could feel an immediate pinch if some of their shipments to Canada are being cancelled, he said. Wilson said she fears her business could face further losses if the tariff war continues. 'If we're not selling to our largest export market, that's a significant impact to our business, and it's very sad for us, because we have friends, we've built relationships in that country for a long time,' she said. Black-owned Brough Brothers Distillery in Louisville is having its own set of problems caused by the tariff war. The company was in the midst of negotiating to sell its products in Canada for the first time, but discussions abruptly ended when the trade war started. The deal fell through 'as soon as the tariffs were announced,' CEO Victor Yarbrough said. 'Literally, we're in the middle of expansion. Everything's been suspended, they don't have the ability to purchase,' Yarbrough said, adding his plans for 2025 were to also ship alcohol to France and the United Kingdom. Now he's considering sending his products to South Africa or Brazil, but Canada would have been the bigger market. 'I'm just like, how can we help get back to square one? How can we facilitate good, neighborly, you know, relationships that we've been having?' he asked. Fawn Weaver, founder of Black-owned Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest, had her alcohol products pulled off the shelves in Canada, but said she was already bracing for the fallout. Weaver, who contends a tariff war could be predicted during the presidential campaign, said the tariffs mean her business can't be as aggressive in the global market for now. 'As an independent brand, I can't afford those tariffs. I can't afford to absorb it, and I can't pass it on to the consumers,' she said. 'It could be argued that this is exactly what the current administration wants — for all of us to bring in our business in the U.S.' She added: 'We already knew coming into this, Trump was very clear in what he was going to do, even though we didn't know where the tariffs would hit.' Kailani Koenig and Maggie Vespa reported from Louisville, Deon J. Hampton from Denver and Bracey Harris from Mississippi. This article was originally published on
NBC News
11-03-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Bourbon industry in crosshairs of U.S.-Canada trade war
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Distilleries in the heart of America's bourbon industry are finding themselves in the crosshairs of a brewing trade war between the U.S. and Canada. Alcohol made in the U.S. is being removed from store shelves in Canada in retaliation for tariffs placed on its products by the Trump administration. It's also leading to canceled shipment orders and stalled liquor agreements with potential trading partners, some Kentucky bourbon businesses say. The family-owned Michter's Distillery in Louisville has already lost $115,000 in canceled bourbon shipment orders to Canada, its largest foreign market as liquor stores in most Canadian provinces have been asked to remove products from their shelves. 'That's the reality of it,' said Andrea Wilson, chief operating officer of Michter's. 'We would prefer to see less tariffs than more.' Earlier this month, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico — two of the country's largest trade partners — before postponing it amid trepidation of a broader trade war. On Tuesday, Trump amplified his tough tariff talk, saying he would double the tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imported from Canada. The threat came one day after Ontario's premier, the leader of Canada's most populous province, announced it would charge 25% more for electricity to 1.5 million Americans. Kentucky's bourbon industry pours about $9 billion into the local economy annually, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association. The state produces about 95% of the bourbon sold in the world, the association estimates. While data on the tariffs' effects is unavailable, U.S. consumers likely won't see a price increase on bourbon for at least a few months, said Marten Lodewijks, president of the U.S. division of the beverage industry data firm IWSR. But Kentucky distilleries could feel an immediate pinch if some of their shipments to Canada are being cancelled, he said. Wilson said she fears her business could face further losses if the tariff war continues. 'If we're not selling to our largest export market, that's a significant impact to our business, and it's very sad for us, because we have friends, we've built relationships in that country for a long time,' she said. Black-owned Brough Brothers Distillery in Louisville is having its own set of problems caused by the tariff war. The company was in the midst of negotiating to sell its products in Canada for the first time, but discussions abruptly ended when the trade war started. The deal fell through 'as soon as the tariffs were announced,' CEO Victor Yarbrough said. 'Literally, we're in the middle of expansion. Everything's been suspended, they don't have the ability to purchase,' Yarbrough said, adding his plans for 2025 were to also ship alcohol to France and the United Kingdom. Now he's considering sending his products to South Africa or Brazil, but Canada would have been the bigger market. 'I'm just like, how can we help get back to square one? How can we facilitate good, neighborly, you know, relationships that we've been having?' he asked. Fawn Weaver, founder of Black-owned Tennessee whiskey brand Uncle Nearest, had her alcohol products pulled off the shelves in Canada, but said she was already bracing for the fallout. Weaver, who contends a tariff war could be predicted during the presidential campaign, said the tariffs mean her business can't be as aggressive in the global market for now. 'As an independent brand, I can't afford those tariffs. I can't afford to absorb it, and I can't pass it on to the consumers,' she said. 'It could be argued that this is exactly what the current administration wants — for all of us to bring in our business in the U.S.' She added: 'We already knew coming into this, Trump was very clear in what he was going to do, even though we didn't know where the tariffs would hit.'
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky Distillers' Association responds to Trump tariffs: ‘Hard-working Americans … will suffer'
KENTUCKY (WDKY) — Kentucky's bourbon industry is bracing for potential economic fallout after President Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, China and Mexico this week — and all three countries vowed to retaliate. Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has called the tariffs a 'trifecta of inflation' that could have widespread effects for both consumers and businesses. 'His tariffs on Canada and Mexico are going to raise the cost of vegetables, fruits, and meat at your grocery store, the extra amount you pay. That's the Trump tax,' Beshear said. The tariffs include a 25 percent tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a doubling of the 10 percent tariff Trump imposed on China last month. Target CEO says Trump's tariffs will likely raise prices on some items within 'days' The move has sparked concerns throughout industries, including in Kentucky, where bourbon is a $9 billion signature business. Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) on Tuesday said retaliatory tariffs would have 'far-reaching consequences across the state.' 'That means hard-working Americans — corn farmers, truckers, distillery workers, barrel makers, bartenders, servers and the communities and businesses built around Kentucky bourbon will suffer,' the statement, from KDA President Eric Gregory, said. 'As a distinctive product of the United States, bourbon cannot be made anywhere else in the world. It truly is America's only native spirit. Bourbon jobs are American jobs, and we grow bourbon jobs by opening markets across the globe.' Gregory's statement alleged that distillers in the Bluegrass State produce 95 percent of the global bourbon supply and are responsible for more than 23,000 jobs and $2.2 billion 'in salaries and benefits.' The back-and-forth over Trump's tariff plan will 'jeopardize growth' of the bourbon industry, Gregory said, predicting that America's trading partners will remove American spirits from shelves and seek other suppliers for 'years to come.' The tariffs have left many in the bourbon industry stuck in a waiting game, uncertain about the long-term effects. Mark Rucker, with Kentucky Bourbon Life, voiced concerns about potential disruptions. 'If these distilleries aren't able to produce, if the demand goes down because of the tariffs, then yeah, I think we could see the impacts,' Rucker added. The impact could ripple through related industries such as restaurants and barrel houses. What are the goods facing Trump's tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China? 'These industries that aren't necessarily a distillery but are connected to the distilleries for their lifeblood, unfortunately, I think we could see some negative impacts from that as well,' said Rucker. 'Especially with the smaller producers who are really taking the time and effort to open up that European market for themselves. Unfortunately, if that window closes down, it could have a pretty significant effect on these smaller brands.' WDKY's Camille Hantla contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
