Kentucky bourbon growth: Tourism and jobs surge in 2025

Kentucky bourbon fuels economic growth through production, tourism and brand expansion. Major distilleries like Buffalo Trace have invested in large-scale expansions, doubling capacity and adding hundreds of jobs, as seen with their $1.2 billion project. Special bourbon-centered events, such as the Kentucky Derby's iconic mint julep experience, attract thousands of visitors and boost local businesses.

New ventures, such as RD1 Distillery’s visitor center and premium releases, contribute to tourism and community revitalization in cities like Lexington. Despite challenges like tariffs and market shifts, industry leaders see international growth potential and advocate for trade solutions that will support jobs and revenue across the state.

Blanton’s premium bourbon is bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky., on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. Buffalo Trace is completing a 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion that has increased capacity from 200,000 barrels a year to more than 500,000. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 1: SEE INSIDE BUFFALO TRACE EXPANSION: WHILE OTHERS CUT BACK, ‘WE COULD STILL MAKE MORE’

The maker of some of bourbon’s most popular brands is completing a 10-year, $1.2 billion expansion that doubled distilling capacity. | Published January 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Bourbon barrels are aged in a warehouse at Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Ky., on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 2: BOURBON MAKERS SAY THEY’VE CAUGHT UP WITH DEMAND, NEED TO ‘GET RID OF THESE TARIFFS’

The heads of Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam and Evan Williams downplay tariff threats at an industry conference in Lexington. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Garrard County Distilling Co. opened this winter in Lancaster with two new column stills and a distilling capacity that makes it the largest all-new distillery. The first barrels were filled on Jan. 2, 2024.

NO. 3: LARGE, NEW KENTUCKY DISTILLERY CLOSES AMID $2.2 MILLION LAWSUIT, LIENS

The $250 million plant opened in January 2024. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

Buffalo Trace Distillery and portions of Wilkinson Boulevard, seen here Tuesday, April 8, 2025, are under water after recent storms brought flooding to Frankfort and other parts of Kentucky.

NO. 4: BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY EXTENDS TEMPORARY CLOSURE TO ASSESS CAMPUS FLOOD DAMAGE

The distillery said Wednesday the damage is “substantial.” | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lindsay Smith

The mint julep has served as an official, celebrated Kentucky Derby tradition for more than 80 years.

NO. 5: HERE WERE THE BEST FOOD AND DRINK EXPERIENCES AT THE 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY

What was good to eat and drink at the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs? | Published May 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Caroline Makauskas

A set of small-batch distilled Kentucky bourbon sets on one of many RD1 Distillery at The Commons bars before the official May 14th grand opening on May 13, 2025, in Lexington, Ky. By Tasha Poullard

NO. 6: NEW BOURBON TASTING ROOM, DISTILLERY IN LEXINGTON JOINS THE BOURBON TRAIL

University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops is a shareholder in RD1 Spirits, a Lexington-based, bourbon brand with an emphasis on its barrel wood finishings. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Piper Hansen

Whiskey Thief Distillery, known for letting visitors sample straight from the barrel, announced that Lisa Wicker has been hired as director of distilling.

NO. 7: BOURBON VETERAN FIRED BY GARRARD COUNTY SNAPPED BY ANOTHER KENTUCKY DISTILLERY

The Franklin County distiller is known for letting customer “thieve” to taste straight from the barrel. | Published May 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Janet Patton

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.