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Risk to Bourbon if tourism laws not ‘modernised’

At the same time as celebrating Bourbon Heritage Month, Kentucky governor Steve Beshear has warned that the state’s distillery numbers could fall if tourism laws are not “modernised”.

Jobs, revenue and investment in Bourbon industry may be lost and “never replaced” if tourism laws not modernised, governor warns

Beshear, who will leave his post at the end of this term, said that during the upcoming legislative session, politicians must reform current hospitality and tourism laws to allow Kentucky’s Bourbon industry to compete with distillers in other states.

“The skyrocketing success of our legendary Bourbon industry is one of the biggest and proudest highlights during my two terms,” Beshear said. “I’ve been honoured to break ground at new distilleries, cut ribbons on innovative tourism centers and even bung a few barrels.

“And while it’s my pleasure to once again declare September Bourbon Heritage Month, I must do so with a word of caution: we must continue to reform our archaic alcohol laws in order to keep Kentucky’s rightful place as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.”

Beshar warned that jobs, revenue and investment could be lost and “never replaced” if the number of distilleries in the state dwindles.

“We cannot afford to lose our historic distilling monopoly,” he added. “What if that number slips to 90% or 80%? Our growth has been incredible, but it’s time to leverage that momentum and realise our potential. We literally cannot afford to be complacent.”

In was recently revealed that as global interest in American whiskey soars, Kentucky saw a record-breaking number of tourists visit its Bourbon Trails in 2014.

Meanwhile, figures from the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) revealed that more than 5.6 million Bourbon barrels were aged in Kentucky last year, the highest number recorded in 40 years.

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