In the tiny town of Clermont, Kentucky, there is small to see. Unless, of course, you're curious in whisky production: Clermont is the office of the well-known Jim Beam brand. However, production at this site is to be completed next year. According to the BBC, Jim Beam intends to suspend whisky production in Clermont.
The distillery will stay closed throughout the year, and the company wants to "take advantage of the chance and invest in improving the facility," quotes BBC manufacturer's statement.
The message continues: “We constantly analyse the volumes of our production to best meet client demand. We late met with our squad to discuss production volumes for 2026". The brand belongs to the nipponese soda giant Suntory Global Spirits, who took over Jim Beam in 2014 for about $13.6 billion.
16 million barrels in warehouses
Last October, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) announced that the number of bourbon in state magazines had reached a evidence level of over 16 million barrels. The problem, according to the KDA, is that "Kentucky remains the only place in the planet where taxes are levied on barrels of aged alcohol". This cost 75 million dollars this year.
In a series of statements, Trump imposed criminal duties on many countries. Since then, US companies in various sectors have besides been faced with retaliatory duties on their goods. "Most of the expansion over the past decade has been directed towards global growth," said the KDA. They so call for a "fast return to duty-free trade based on reciprocity".
But not only were customs a problem for companies in the spirits industry: for example, extended campaigns were conducted in Canada to encourage consumers not to buy products produced in the US.
Jim Beam production continues elsewhere
According to a message to the BBC, the remaining Jim Beam plants in the United States, including a separate distillery and bottling facilities and warehouses, will operate normally. Visitor Center Jim Beam in Kentucky will besides stay open.
