"Bourbon maker Jim Beam plans to pause production at its main US distillery for all of 2026 after slumping demand caused an oversupply of whiskey. The brand, owned by Japanese alcohol giant Suntory Holdings Ltd., said it's halting whiskey distillation at the James B. Beam campus in Clermont, Kentucky after an assessment of its production levels against consumer demand, according to a statement on Monday."
"Sales of bourbon have slowed as consumers rein in spending and drinking, and as uncertainty over the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs and taxes on aging barrels weigh on the sector, the Kentucky Distillers' Association said in October. There are about 16.1 million barrels - a record - of bourbon aging in warehouses in Kentucky as of January, though most won't be ready to bottle until after 2030, the association said."
"The company plans to use the downtime to invest in site enhancements. Production will still continue at the smaller Fred B. Noe craft distillery in Clermont and the Booker Noe site in Boston, it added. Jim Beam, which employs about 6,000 people worldwide, did not announce layoffs. Bottling and warehousing operations will continue at the brand's James B. Beam campus, while its visitor center and restaurant remain open, it said."
Jim Beam will halt whiskey distillation at the James B. Beam campus in Clermont, Kentucky, for all of 2026 because slumping demand created an oversupply of whiskey. The company plans to use the production pause to invest in site enhancements while keeping bottling, warehousing, the visitor center and restaurant operational. Distillation will continue at the smaller Fred B. Noe craft distillery in Clermont and the Booker Noe site in Boston. The Kentucky Distillers' Association reported slowed bourbon sales and a record 16.1 million barrels aging in Kentucky, many not ready until after 2030. Suntory is also managing corporate fallout after its CEO resigned amid a police investigation.
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