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A booming bourbon industry has Kentucky leaders toasting record growth

By BRUCE SCHREINER - Feb 06, 2024, 06:06 PM ET
Last Updated - Feb 06, 2024, 06:06 PM EST
Kentucky Bourbon
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks at an event promoting the state's bourbon industry on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at the state Capitol in Frankfort, Ky. The bourbon industry released a report reflecting its continued strong growth and its impact on Kentucky's economy. (AP Photo/Bruce Schreiner)

Fifteen years ago, bourbon barons poured whiskey out on the Kentucky Capitol steps to protest a looming tax increase on the spirits industry

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Fifteen years ago, bourbon barons poured whiskey out on the steps of the Kentucky Capitol to protest a looming tax increase on the spirits industry. On Tuesday, industry leaders reassembled with a bipartisan group of Kentucky leaders to toast the bourbon sector's record growth.

Kentucky's bourbon industry pumps $9 billion into the Bluegrass State's economy each year, creating more jobs and attracting more tourists than ever before, according to a study released Tuesday. More rounds of growth are expected as Kentucky producers make billions of dollars in capital investments.

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Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear praised the bourbon industry for its “unique and enormous role in driving our economy and representing Kentucky to the rest of the world.” Top Republican lawmakers pointed to a series of legislative actions credited with helping propel the industry's growth. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association.

Bill Samuels Jr. attended the celebration on Tuesday. He also took part in the protest years ago, when he was the top executive at Maker's Mark and joined other industry leaders in pouring bourbon onto the statehouse steps. It marked a turning point for the legislature and distillers, Samuels said in an interview Tuesday.

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