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Green River Distilling cuts a quarter of jobs
The layoffs at Green River will take effect on 1 April and are not in response to recent tariffs on American whiskey.
Green River Distilling, based in Owensboro, Kentucky, will lay off a portion of its staff, a move the company said would right-size its business to meet current demands as it scales down to a single production shift.
Most roles to be cut are production related with a small number of support roles to be axed as well.
In total, 26 roles will be eliminated at the distillery, representing fewer than 30% of employees.
Green River was purchased by Bardstown Bourbon Company in 2022, with both brands now existing under the Lofted Spirits name.
In a statement provided to The Spirits Business, the company said tariffs on American whiskey from the EU and elsewhere were not a direct factor in the decision to downsize.
“The market correction that our industry is going through has been well-publicised and, unfortunately, we aren’t immune to it,” the statement said. “While our own brands are healthy and growing, a number of customers in our contract business are struggling.
“We have been working with them through these challenges but made the difficult decision to adjust our production now with the long-term health of our business in mind.”
This move by Green River is the latest act of downshifting across the industry as American whiskey brands look to cut costs with survival in mind.
In January, Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman cut more than 600 jobs. Bulleit owner Diageo meanwhile announced last week that it would temporarily pause production at its whiskey distillery in Lebanon, Kentucky to support the firm’s productivity goals.
While most American whiskey brands struggled in 2024, there was a perception that Green River was thriving, especially as the brand launched its first ad campaign and announced a new brand home on Louisville’s Whiskey Row.
“Our consumer brands, both Green River and Bardstown Bourbon, are healthy and growing,” the statement continued. “We are continuing to invest for growth, including our national campaigns and the Green River tasting room in Louisville, which is currently under construction and will open later this year.
“The reduction in force was a direct reaction to current and projected contract distilling business. We are confident that these steps will help us navigate current industry challenges while retaining a strong foundation for the future.”
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