The growing popularity of bourbon has led to increased production in the spirit’s home state with more than five million barrels currently resting in Kentucky warehouses, the most since 1977.
According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, production has taken off in the past 15 years resulting in 150 percent growth. Last year distilleries filled 1.2 million barrels, the most since 1970.
“We’re pushing production and inventories past milestones not seen in generations,” said Eric Gregory, association president. “Distillers are making landmark investments, creating new jobs, driving record numbers of tourists to the state and pouring hundreds of millions into local economies.”
As production increased, so did interest in bourbon tourism with a record 630,000 visits last year to the association’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
