Summary
Jim Beam will stop production at its main distillery in Kentucky for one year to make improvements. The company, owned by Suntory, will keep its other operations in Kentucky running. Trade policies under President Trump have impacted distillers, contributing to uncertainty in the bourbon industry.
Key Facts
- Jim Beam will pause production at its main Kentucky distillery for all of next year.
- The pause is for site improvements and investment in the distillery.
- Suntory Global Spirits owns Jim Beam and runs over 1,000 jobs in Kentucky.
- Other operations like a separate distillery and bottling plants will continue.
- Jim Beam is discussing workforce arrangements with the workers' union during the pause.
- Kentucky Distillers' Association noted Kentucky has over 16 million barrels of bourbon.
- Distillers face high taxes on stored barrels, costing them $75 million this year.
- U.S. trade tariffs have led to import taxes on American spirits, affecting global sales.
