Category: Kentucky Department of Revenue

Never Say Die Bourbon: A Whiskey with a Back Story

The stories behind the whiskies we drink are almost as enjoyable as the whiskies, and the story behind Never Say Die Bourbon is an intriguing… Read More

The stories behind the whiskies we drink are almost as enjoyable as the whiskies, and the story behind Never Say Die Bourbon is an intriguing one. There’s a near-death experience, followed by success on horse racing’s grandest stage, and a side story linking it to the founding of The Beatles. Never Say Die co-founder Brian Luftman joins us to share that story on this week’s WhiskyCast. In the news, Chivas Brothers workers approve a new contract, Kentucky Bourbon distillers set more records, and the deadline to avoid European import tariffs on American whiskey is getting closer.

Links: Never Say Die Bourbon | Chivas Brothers | Unite | GMB Scotland | Pernod Ricard | Kentucky Distillers Association | Campari | Teeling Whiskey Company | Old Forester | Milam & Greene | A. Smith Bowman Distillery | Talisker | The Whisky Exchange | Midleton Very Rare | Scottish Government Whisky Emissions Study

Photo courtesy Ninth House/Never Say Die Bourbon.

Kentucky Distillers Report Record Production

For the fifth consecutive year, Kentucky Bourbon distillers filled more than two million barrels of whiskey, with total production reaching 2.7 million barrels in 2022,… Read More

For the fifth consecutive year, Kentucky Bourbon distillers filled more than two million barrels of whiskey, with total production reaching 2.7 million barrels in 2022, a 3 percent increase over 2021. The state also recorded new milestones of 12.6 million barrels of maturing whiskey inventory valued at $6.7 billion, according to data released by the Kentucky Distillers Association.

The data is based on annual reports all distillers file with the Kentucky Department of Revenue detailing their inventories as of January 1. The report also shows the state’s distillers paid a 30 percent increase in barrel taxes to more than $50 million.

The barrel taxes have been a source of controversy for many years. Essentially, it is an inventory tax that funds local schools and government functions. Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed legislation to gradually phase out the tax over 20 years while protecting funding for schools, fire departments, and EMS districts.