Call it the Commonwealth Cocktail Census: Kentucky Now has Twice as Many Barrels of Bourbon and Spirits as People

By Col. Brian G. Miller

October 30, 2019 — Call it the Commonwealth Cocktail Census: Kentucky is now home to two barrels of aging bourbon (and other spirits) for each woman, man, and child living in the Bluegrass State.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) reports 9.1 million total barrels of spirits in Kentucky warehouses, thanks in part to the 2.1 million barrels of bourbon filled last year. Both are modern-era records, surpassing numbers set in 1967. Bourbon makes up the majority of what is now aging in the Commonwealth, with 8.5 million barrels.

“This is a historic day that cements Kentucky’s rightful title as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon and distilled spirits,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “It’s also further proof of Kentucky bourbon’s monumental economic impact and ever-increasing demand.” 

The bourbon industry is an $8.6 billion economic engine generating more than 20,100 jobs with an annual payroll topping $1 billion, according to the KDA.

Despite this significant growth, the KDA warns that high taxes on distillers in Kentucky and tariffs and trade wars on the worldwide market pose a threat to the future of the industry.

Read the complete KDA news release here.