Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Jim Beam, one of the largest manufacturers of American whiskey globallyis ceasing bourbon production at one of its Kentucky distilleries for a year.
This step comes amid President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canadawhich has contributed to a significant decline in American wine sales following the beginning of the American wine boycott in the country, and as More young adults are reducing their drinking.
Jim Beam, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, is one of Kentucky’s largest bourbon producers.
The Bluegrass State’s $9 billion whiskey bourbon industry is struggling to manage its abundant supply of the liquor despite declining demand.
In a statement, the company said it is ceasing production at its Clermont distillery on January 1, 2026, although the visitor center at the site will remain open. Lexington Herald Leader.
“We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026,” the statement said. “We have shared with our teams that we will continue to distill our [Freddie Booker Noe] At the craft distillery in Clermont and our larger Booker Noe distillery in Boston, we plan to cease distilling at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus for 2026, while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements.
According to the newspaper, last year in Kentucky, James B. Beam Distilling Company had approximately 1,500 employees. The company said in a statement to the outlet that it was assessing “how to best utilize its workforce during this transition,” and said it was in discussions with the union.
In March, following sweeping tariffs imposed by Trump, many Canadians decided to boycott American wine in protest.
Industry group Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Said US spirits exports fell 85 percent to below $10 million in the second quarter of 2025, which CEO Chris Swonger blamed on “persistent trade tensions.”
Swonger warned that the figures indicate “a move away from our great American spirits brands” and urged Trump to “help facilitate a permanent return to tariff-free trade with our longtime trading partners.”
Trump suspended trade talks with Canada in October after an ad shared by Ontario Premier Doug Ford Clips from Ronald Reagan’s 1987 address, Where the late president said tariffs led to a trade war and economic disaster.
Canada and the US have agreed to begin formal discussions to review their trade agreement in mid-January, according to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The President’s tariffs aren’t the only headache for the US wine industry , The drastic change in drinking habits is also impacting sales.
A record high percentage of American adults (53 percent) said drinking alcohol in moderation is bad for their health, up from 28 percent in 2015. Gallup The survey was published in August.
The increase in skepticism about the benefits of alcohol is driven primarily by young adults – the age group that believes that drinking “one or two drinks a day” can pose health risks.
The survey found that 54 percent of American adults said they drink alcoholic beverages such as wine, liquor or beer, which is lower than at any other point in the last three decades.