Kentucky Bourbon’s Impact On State Economy Remains Strong & Substantial

Latest Data Shows Distilling Now $10.6 Billion Industry Supporting Local & State Economies Despite Mounting Headwinds

FRANKFORT, Ky. (February 2, 2026) – As outside threats continue to jeopardize its future growth, Kentucky Bourbon remains a key and substantial contributor to the state’s economy, as a $10.6 billion signature industry supporting nearly 24,000 jobs, a new report shows.

Yet its long-term fortunes remain a roller coaster of uncertainty and unpredictability, threatened by a volatile global trade arena, shifting generational consumer tastes, soaring barrel taxes, and evolving market and geopolitical conditions that have slowed alcohol sales and slashed exports.

The eighth edition of the biennial study using the latest data also shows the distilling industry bought a record 84% of its corn from Kentucky farm families and now generates an all-time high of $372 million in state and local tax revenue.

“This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the economic impact of Kentucky’s homegrown and historic Bourbon industry, which remains significantly ahead in jobs, investment and stature from over a decade ago,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.

“Bourbon is a long-term business, and the data shows that its Kentucky foundation remains strong,” he said. “But we also must remember that its future isn’t guaranteed and this data is a snapshot in time.

“We need the support of elected officials at every level of government to help create a stable, competitive environment so Bourbon can produce more American jobs, satisfy the global thirst for our signature spirit and continue to invest in our Kentucky home.”

The report was conducted by noted Kentucky economist Dr. Mike Clark using the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Kentucky Department of Revenue, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and more trusted sources.

Dr. Clark is Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Kentucky and the former Chief Economist for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. He takes over the biennial study from Dr. Paul Coomes, who has retired.

Among the report’s top findings, Kentucky’s distilling industry now:

• Contributes $10.6 billion in annual economic impact to Kentucky, up from $9 billion in the previous study released in early 2024.
• Supports 23,935 jobs with $2 billion in salaries, wages and benefits, an increase of more than 800 jobs in the last two years despite recent cutbacks.
• Generates $372 million in local and state tax revenue every year, an increase of $200 million over the last 10 years alone.
• Reports plans to invest another $1.45 billion in the next five years.
• Purchases 3 million bushels of corn annually, of which KDA members say 84% comes from Kentucky farmers, up from 70% in the previous report.
• Has more licensed distilleries than ever before, with 125 locations owned and operated by 104 companies in 45 of the state’s 120 counties. 
• Pays a skyrocketing amount of taxes on aging barrels of spirits, including $75 million in 2025, a 163% surge in the last five years alone.
• Stores a record 1 million barrels of spirits, of which 16.1 million are Bourbon.
• Provides the second-highest job multiplier in the state behind the automobile industry, supporting Kentucky farm families, cooperages, truckers and more.
• Dominates the national distilling scene with 27% of both the country’s spirits output and employment, with Tennessee second at 8.4% .

This marks the eighth study of the impact of Kentucky’s distilling industry on the state economy since 2009. “Together, these reports provide a clear, long-term record of Kentucky Bourbon’s growth as a signature industry and the policy challenges that determine its future,” Gregory said.

“Kentucky Bourbon has been around for more than 200 years and overcome its fair share of challenges. By working together, and with the sacred name of Kentucky on every bottle, we must ensure the next report is a toast to progress.”

2026 Bourbon Economy Report Quotes

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

“Despite national challenges from tariffs and harmful federal policies, Kentucky’s $10.6 billion bourbon industry continues to show the world its importance by supporting nearly 24,000 jobs and generating a record $372 million in local and state tax revenue,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This industry is essential to our success and way of life, and as Governor I’m going to keep standing up for Kentucky bourbon and the hardworking people who make it so special.”

Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers pointed to the industry’s broadening geographical impact.

“One of the many positive outcomes from the Kentucky Bourbon’s industry’s long-term growth is that rural communities have benefited economically, right alongside our cities,” Stivers said. “There are now distilleries from Pikeville to Paducah and from Augusta to Adairville. Forty-five Kentucky counties now have at least one distillery, with one developing in my home county of Clay. That’s a number far beyond the industry’s traditional core counties where these operations are bringing commerce, tourism and vibrancy to their communities while attracting additional development like restaurants, lodging and retail.”

Kentucky House Speaker David Osborne said the road for Bourbon’s success runs through the General Assembly.

“It should surprise no one that legislative action to modernize our Commonwealth’s alcohol laws, advance responsibility measures and reform taxes to create parity all charted the path for Kentucky Bourbon’s growth the past decade,” Osborne said. “Now Bourbon attracts tourists by the millions, contributes abundantly to our workforce and tax base, and makes Kentucky an envy of other states and nations across the globe.”

Kentucky House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade tied distilling’s growth to pro-business policies.

“The kind of prosperity and broad impact in this comprehensive study clearly demonstrates what happens when elected leaders pass pro-business policies to unburden a signature industry from outdated and cumbersome policies and punishing taxes,” Meade said.

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) is the Worldwide Voice of Bourbon

About the Kentucky Distillers’ Association:

Founded in 1880, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the legendary voice for Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Its diverse and growing membership produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s Bourbon, from historic, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are fostering the next generation of the Commonwealth’s landmark economic engine and its thriving, timeless craft. Member benefits include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, networking, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and innovative tourism experiences through the KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures. A 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, the KDA maintains an open membership policy, champions a strong commitment to the responsible and moderate consumption of spirits, and fights to curb underage drinking and drunk driving. Learn more at www.kybourbon.com and www.kybourbontrail.com.

Heaven Hill Distillery Honors a Storied Legacy with Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey

Limited-edition release marks one of the final opportunities to experience Bourbon fully matured at the historic Deatsville campus as it transitions out of active aging

Bardstown, Ky. — Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey, a limited-edition expression drawn from one of the most distinctive aging sites in the distillery’s 90-year history. Bottled from just 17 barrels aged on the third floor of Rickhouse AA, this release represents one of the final few opportunities to experience Bourbon fully matured entirely at the Deatsville campus before the site transitions out of active aging.

The Deatsville campus, originally home to the shuttered T.W. Samuels Distillery, has been an enduring part of Heaven Hill’s heritage since the early 1980s, when the company first assumed stewardship of the rickhouses. Today, the site encompasses nine Heaven Hill owned rickhouses with capacity for aging a total of 167,000 barrels.  It is the only Heaven Hill barrel aging campus constructed with tiered roof architecture, a distinctive design that promotes a natural stack effect, allowing warm air to rise and escape while drawing cooler air inward through lower openings. This airflow dynamic creates subtle differences in maturation, contributing to Deatsville’s signature influence within Heaven Hill’s aging inventory. Heaven Hill ages whiskey across six distinct warehouse sites in Kentucky, each imparting its own character based on structure, airflow, and environment.

Crafted from a traditional mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey reflects thirteen years of maturation within this unique structure. The MSRP for this limited release will be $199.99.

“For nearly a century, Heaven Hill has believed that great Bourbon is made by giving barrels the time, space and natural airflow they need to become themselves,” said Susan Wahl, Vice President, American Whiskey. “This release pays tribute to the barrels, brands, and people who brought those rickhouses to life.”

Over the decades, Deatsville barrels contributed to multiple Heaven Hill expressions and played a meaningful role in a large portion of the Parker’s Heritage Collection lineage. The acclaimed 7th Edition ‘Promise of Hope’ and the widely celebrated 11th Edition Single Barrel release both drew from Parker Beam’s favorite rickhouse site. Those selections reflected Parker’s instinct for the site’s aging character and further cemented its place in Heaven Hill’s history.

As part of Heaven Hill’s long-term stewardship of its aging assets, all nine Deatsville rickhouses will transition to regauge-only status over the next 12–24 months, marking the gradual aging out of the campus from active maturation. The buildings will remain standing and secure. Heaven Hill continues to invest in new rickhouses across the Commonwealth which will impart their own unique characteristics to our aging barrels. Most barrels currently aging at Deatsville will be relocated to other Heaven Hill sites and may be referenced in future releases as having spent a portion of their maturation at Deatsville. This 13-Year-Old release is the first chapter in a multi-year tribute to the Deatsville site, with additional releases and commemorative moments planned through 2027.

In a rare opportunity, guests will be able to access the private Deatsville rickhouse campus through a Deatsville Tour & Tasting experience. The tour includes visits to two rickhouse sites, allowing guests to see firsthand how structural differences—including Deatsville’s tiered roof design—impact maturation and flavor development. Early access to the Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey will be exclusively available through this tour experience. Tickets for this tour will be available beginning on March 15 through the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience website.

Heaven Hill maintains more than two million barrels aging across Kentucky and holds the second-largest inventory of aging American Whiskey. As the company continues to steward its extensive aging portfolio, the Deatsville campus stands as a singular and distinctive chapter—one whose influence will continue to live on in the whiskey it helped mature, leaving a lasting legacy even after these rickhouses transition out of active aging. Heaven Hill Deatsville 13-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey invites enthusiasts to experience that chapter while it can still be poured.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year nine times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Glen Moray has a new temptation with UK launch of Forbidden Fruit

Speyside favourite unveils first Calvados finished single malt whisky

Glen Moray single malt Scotch whisky is inviting the nation’s drinkers to give in to temptation, with the latest addition to its award-winning range of single malt whiskies: Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit.

Inspired by the original story of temptation and the sweet indulgence of the apple, this new whisky is finished in French oak casks which were previously used to mature Calvados  – France’s historic and famously rich apple brandy.

As the third whisky from the Distillery’s playful Xperience Collection, Forbidden Fruit continues Glen Moray’s journey of cask exploration and follows the acclaimed releases of Phoenix Rising and Twisted Vine – respectively tributes to charred oak and cognac cask maturation.

Intrigued by the subtle fruit notes and warm spices of Calvados, Glen Moray’s distillers took a single malt aged in bourbon casks and laid it down in Calvados casks to explore how the apple brandy would marry with their whisky’s signature, smooth Speyside style.

The resulting dram brims with notes of orchard fruits, sweet French pastries and fresh flowers, introducing an enticing new facet to the Elgin-based distillery’s much loved, easy drinking spirit.

To honour its tempting taste, bold packaging brings the whisky’s story vividly to life. A radiant scarlet apple takes centre stage against Glen Moray’s classic dark blue, and the fabled forbidden fruit is artfully cradled by delicate golden leaves, as a sinuous serpent winds its way through the design.

Glen Moray Global Brand Ambassador Iain Allan said: ‘Cask exploration has been a huge part of the Glen Moray Distillery story for over a century, and Forbidden Fruit is a wonderful new testament to this heritage. It is a sweet, spicy and very morish single malt which we’re sure will be a tempting treat for whisky fans to explore, whether they are connoisseurs or new to single malts.’

Glen Moray Forbidden Fruit is available from specialist whisky retailers throughout the UK and in Morrisons stores across Scotland from April. Bottled in 70cl at 40% ABV, RRP: £32

Tasting Notes

NOSE: Green apples, toffee, apple blossom perfume and sweet pastries.
TASTE: Apple pie, baking spice, vanilla custard, barley sugar, very subtle wood tannins and a slight acidity.
FINISH: long, with an initial spice which subsides to reveal notes of oak with poached pears and cloves.

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The 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is Macaloney’s Island Distillery Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky

The ninth edition of national competition showcases the best artisan spirits from across Canada

Vancouver, BC (February 24, 2026) – Following their 2025 Canadian Whisky of the Year award, Macaloney’s Island Distillery has earned the top prize in the 2026 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) for their Cath-nah-aven Single Malt Whisky, presented by Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC).

Judges noted this whisky brings “a beautiful, burnished copper appearance, leading to a nose suggesting Oloroso sherry, fruitcake, cocoa powder and candied almond, with a palate of toasted hazelnut, baking spice, toffee and fruitcake, all of which sail off into a long, smooth, caramel-tinged finish.”

The CASC judging panel was comprised of 14 independent judges who evaluated hundreds of artisan spirits, plus bitters, submitted by 56 producers from across Canada and entered into 24 different categories. The Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year is awarded to the top-scoring spirit, regardless of category.

“In spite of serious headwinds in this sector, I’m happy to see that there are still amazing spirits produced across Canada,” stated ADC’s founder and executive director, Alex Hamer. He continued, “Canadians who are interested in supporting their local communities and businesses can look to our artisan spirit producers for just about all their needs, including gins, rums, whiskies, and more. CASC continues to be a great place to find some of Canada’s best spirits.”

About Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) and the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC)

Artisan Distillers Canada (ADC) operates consumer and industry-focused events and awards programs for Canada’s artisan distilleries and spirits sector. ADC’s goals are to support consumer awareness of artisan distilleries and spirits, to provide education and professional development through conferences focused on best practices in the science and business of distilling, and to foster community. For more information about ADC, visit artisandistillers.ca.

ADC launched the Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition (CASC) in 2018. Spirits submitted to any of the 24 different CASC award categories are sampled blindly and evaluated by an independent panel of judges from across the country, with the top spirit in each category earning a Best in Class Award. Spirits are also awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals, with the top overall scoring spirit being awarded Canadian Artisan Spirit of the Year. CASC is open to any distillery in Canada that meets ADC’s ‘artisan’ classification for distilleries and spirit products. To learn more about Canadian artisan distilleries and spirits, visit artisandistillers.ca/artisan-distillery.

Killowen Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Pinot & Port

Dublin and Cork Airport Irish Whiskey Collection win again
with Killowen Single Cask Exclusive.

The Irish Whiskey Collection at Dublin and Cork Airport has secured another exceptional release with a new exclusive from Killowen Distillery.

We are delighted to announce the Killowen Single Malt Pinot and Port Cask, 9 Year Old, a rare and remarkable single cask whiskey selected exclusively for the Irish Whiskey Collection.

This cask strength whiskey yielded only 146 bottles, making it one of the most limited airport exclusives to date. The whiskey matured for nine years in a Pinot Noir cask before receiving a short finishing period in a fresh Port cask. The result is a beautifully balanced whiskey with layers of rich fruit, gentle spice, and the distinctive character that Killowen is celebrated for. Each bottle captures the influence of the Pinot Noir cask alongside the vibrant sweetness brought by the Port finish, creating a complex and memorable tasting experience.

We only wish there were more than 146 bottles available because the flavour and character of this whiskey make it truly special. For collectors and whiskey enthusiasts alike, this is a rare opportunity to experience another outstanding collaboration between the Irish Whiskey Collection and Killowen Distillery.

Sláinte

The Killowen Distillery Team

The Blending House Opens In Kentucky To Help Distilled Spirits Brands Navigate Turbulent Times

New Kentucky facility provides blending, bottling, and barrel storage infrastructure to help spirits brands scale with confidence amid industry change.

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. – February 23, 2026 – The nature of the distilled spirits industry is changing–there is no question. As brands and craft distilleries consider how to pivot, leading Kentucky-based spirits consulting firm The Spirits Group, in partnership with Indiana-based construction company The Koetter Group, is proud to announce the opening of The Blending House. The newly constructed, 30,000-square-foot blending and bottling facility sits on 108 acres in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and is positioned as essential infrastructure for the next era of disciplined growth. Developed after years of working with third-party bottlers, the operation was designed to incorporate industry best practices while addressing critical gaps. With a dedicated focus on vertically integrating post-distillation needs, The Blending House provides state-of-the-art barrel storage, expert blending, precision bottling, and back-office support — all under one roof and staffed by industry veterans with decades of experience.

CEO Monica Wolf Brown explains: “As the distilled spirits industry evolves, the strategies that built brands over the past decade won’t necessarily sustain them in the decade ahead. We built The Blending House to give brands a reliable base of operations, allowing producers to protect quality, operate efficiently, and grow without the capital burden of building and operating their own facility. Currently, there are no other facilities like it in Kentucky or the United States. We were built to bottle, with no competing priorities. When brands work with us, they know their production isn’t an afterthought; it’s our core mission.”

Bottling services are delivered end-to-end, including filtration, proofing, and packaging. The Blending House features a custom-built bottling line supporting formats from 200 mL to 1.75 L–with both automated and artisanal packaging options–as well as a dedicated secondary line for hand-finished and custom products. The facility has the capacity for up to 250,000 cases annually and operates at speeds of 35–40 bottles per minute.

Director of Operations, Matt King, adds: “Our facility layout, equipment, and overall concept allow us to put our customers first, with flexibility to align our operations around their timelines and standards. Our mission is to be a trusted partner, treating every brand with the same level of care as if it were our own.”

The Blending House meets rigorous QA standards and has the ability to provide expert guidance on labeling and regulatory approval. In addition, clients have the option to select from a menu of back-office support options, such as packaging development, logistics, bookkeeping, graphic design, marketing, and domestic product distribution. Brands including Ten Runner find this, and other aspects of the white-glove service, extremely valuable.

“One of the most important things to have when trying to accomplish something big is to surround yourself with a great team. When I decided to create Ten Runner, I turned to Monica, Ashley, and The Blending House to help craft a truly special blend of the highest quality. They have been excellent to work with and have become a key part of our growing success.” – Ryan Blaney, NASCAR Champion & Founder of Ten Runner Bourbon Whiskey.

For brands interested in blending services, operations are conducted in a dedicated sensory lab and are led by Master Blender Ashley Barnes. Having trained under industry legends, she is recognized for her work developing premium spirits brands. Her expertise includes warehouse profiling, flavor projection, product development, and quality control. Blending services are available to both emerging and established brands seeking precision, consistency, and distinctive flavor development.

The Blending House showcases The Koetter Group’s innovative K-RAX® Premium Barrel Storage system across seven state-of-the-art rickhouses, each with a 20,000-barrel capacity. Engineered to support optimal maturation, the system promotes consistent airflow around every barrel, helping whiskey age more evenly and develop balanced flavor profiles. Integrated 3D barrel mapping and digital tracking ensure accurate inventory management, while enhanced structural stability and access to every barrel allow for efficient sampling and quality monitoring throughout the aging process. All seven rickhouses are complete, with over 120,000 barrels currently on site.

Brands seeking a dependable contract bottling partner for sustained growth are encouraged to contact The Blending House to explore long-term production solutions at theblendinghouse.com.

About The Blending House

Spanning 108 acres, The Blending House serves as a centralized production hub designed specifically to optimize operations for spirits brands of all sizes. It is home to a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art blending and bottling facility and seven cutting-edge K-RAX® rickhouses. It represents the next chapter for The Spirits Group, a distilled spirits consulting firm founded in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2017 by seasoned industry veterans and co-founders Monica Wolf and Ashley Barnes. Their private, hands-on team offers more than a decade of experience across the industry in the service of helping customers define, hone, and execute their goals.

A legacy in motion: two American originals unite on the world’s fastest stage in a cinematic celebration of shared heritage, ambition and connection.

Clermont, Kentucky, March 2, 2026: Jim Beam®, the world’s No.1 bourbon and Official Spirits Partner of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, today unveiled Raised Together—a new global brand film that explores the authentic and unique history of a relationship that began in Kentucky 90 years ago, and how that legacy comes to life today on the world’s fastest stage.

Timed with the highly anticipated debut of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team at the Australian Grand Prix, Raised Together is the first in a series of campaign films set to roll out throughout the 2026 season.

The film tells the story of the great lengths Jim Beam himself went to safeguard his family recipe nearly a century ago—a legacy in which Cadillac played a pivotal role. The Founder, to protect his proprietary yeast—a living, essential ingredient in Jim Beam’s distinct bourbon recipe—would drive a mason jar of it home each night in his Cadillac, shielding it from the threats of fire and prohibition. This ritual ensured the preservation of the key element that still defines Jim Beam’s unmistakable flavor today.

Now, as the Cadillac Formula 1® Team prepares to make its debut in the 2026 season, the two iconic brands reunite to welcome a fast-growing global fanbase into their storied legacy.

“Raised Together tells the story of our shared heritage and where we’re headed,” said KK Hall, global brand vice president, Jim Beam. “Jim Beam and Cadillac embody a uniquely American spirit—rooted in tradition but never constrained by it. Our partnership is about people—the teams, fans and community that make this sport extraordinary.”

The hero film will premiere in Australia and New Zealand on March 2 ahead of the Australian Grand Prix before rolling out globally across North America, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, India, Brazil, Mexico and other key markets throughout the 2026 season. The campaign will be supported by integrated activations across broadcast, digital and social channels.

A second version featuring Cadillac Formula 1® Team drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will be coming soon on Jim Beam owned social media channels. The content reflects their unique personalities and sets the tone for the type of storytelling fans can expect to see throughout the partnership.

Beyond the Track
Jim Beam’s presence in Formula 1® extends beyond traditional branding. As the fastest growing sport with a global fanbase of 827 million, and the U.S. representing one of the fastest growth markets—including the next generation of racing fans — Jim Beam aims to capitalize on the momentum building a community of new, legal drinking age fans as they come along for the ride.

Guided by the belief that nothing great happens in isolation, Jim Beam enters the grid as a transformative force, with a desire to help reshape how fans experience the sport.

Throughout 2026, the partnership will come to life with immersive experiences, citywide activations, retail initiatives and on-trade programs. These efforts are designed to deepen fans’ connection to the sport and to one another, building a vibrant community that brings together lifelong motorsport enthusiasts and a new generation discovering the race for the first time. They also create an important platform for Jim Beam to reinforce its commitment to responsible alcohol consumption and to remind consumers never to drink and drive. Responsibility will remain central to all messaging and experiences.

This engagement strategy kicks off at the season opener in Melbourne, where Jim Beam will extend race week beyond the track with dedicated events celebrating sport, culture, and community. By creating inclusive, energetic, and responsibly enjoyed spaces, the brand seeks to help shape a new era for Formula 1®—one that emphasizes not just speed but also shared moments and human connection.

“As we enter the grid for the first time, we want to build a community around this new American team, inviting fans to join us on this journey,” added Hall. “As the people’s bourbon, Jim Beam has always been about the collective and fostering connection. Together with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, we aim to make the sport more accessible—bringing fans closer to the action, beyond the grid, to celebrate the stories and shared experiences that make Formula 1® so compelling. This is about creating connections—on and off the track.”

Best Enjoyed Together. Best Enjoyed Responsibly.
To learn more about Jim Beam and Cadillac F1 Racing, visit www.jimbeam.com or follow @jimbeamofficial on Instagram @cadillacf1

Jim Beam® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 40% Alc./Vol. ©2026 James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY

About Jim Beam®: Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by eight generations of family distillers since 1795. Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s seventh Generation Master Distiller, and Freddie Noe, Jim Beam’s eighth Generation Master Distiller, have stayed true to the family recipe that’s been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black®, and Jim Beam Flavors, among other offerings. For more information, go to www.jimbeam.com @jimbeamofficial on Instagram and @jimbeam on Twitter.

About Cadillac Formula 1® Team: The Cadillac Formula 1® Team is a specialist motor racing team competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, the team has operations in Fishers, Indiana (USA); Charlotte, North Carolina (USA); and Silverstone, Northamptonshire (UK). With the confidence to dream big and the passion to deliver, the Cadillac Formula 1® Team is building everything from the ground up – from high-performance race cars to an inclusive, values-driven culture. The team will make its Formula 1® debut in 2026.

About GM: General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

Heaven Hill Distillery Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation with Bernheim Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

Bardstown, Ky. — (February 23, 2026) Heaven Hill Distillery proudly announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, a special bottling commemorating two decades since Bernheim pioneered a new style of American Whiskey and helped usher in the modern whiskey renaissance.

Launched in 2005, Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey was the first truly new American Whiskey style introduced since Prohibition, boldly using soft winter wheat as its primary grain. At the time, the category-defining innovation marked a turning point for American Whiskey — one that has since become an enduring legacy.

“This release is both a celebration and a thank you,” said Max L. Shapira, Executive Chairman of Heaven Hill Brands. “When we launched Bernheim Wheat Whiskey 20 years ago, we took a chance on a new mashbill and a new idea. The support we received in those early days helped shape not only this brand, but the expansion in popularity of different styles of American Whiskey we continue to see today.”

Crafted from Bernheim’s signature soft winter wheat recipe, the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition features a special selection of barrels aged 10 years and is bottled at 115 proof (57.5% ABV), delivering a rich and complex tasting experience that honors both tradition and innovation. Produced at the historic Bernheim Distillery and aged in rickhouses in Bardstown, Kentucky, this small batch release reflects Heaven Hill’s continued commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Presented in a bright copper hue, the Whiskey opens on the nose with notes of cinnamon and baking spices layered with vanilla and oak. The palate follows with rich flavors of molasses and butterscotch, leading into a peppery finish that lingers with warmth and balance.

The commemorative bottle design underscores the significance of the release, featuring a distinctive copper plate on the front as a visual marker of its limited-edition status and a nod to the heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is available in limited quantities nationwide for a suggested retail price of $84.99.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Henry McKenna, Parker’s Heritage Collection along with its extensive and diverse collection of unique and innovative products. In the past five years alone, Heaven Hill Distillery has been named Distiller of the Year eight times, including 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. Other recent honors include 2024 and 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition’s Most Awarded Distillery and the 2023 Icons of Whisky World’s Best Small Batch Bourbon. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

New York, February – Sotheby’s annual Wine & Spirits sales (auction and private) in 2025 totalled $127.5 million, a rise of nearly 12% on 2024. This marks the fourth-highest annual total for the category since the department’s launch at Sotheby’s in 1970, highlighting the continued strength and international reach of the Wine & Spirits business and positioning Sotheby’s as one of the global leaders in Wine and Spirits auctions.

“Our 2025 results underscore the strength and momentum of Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits business. Achieving $127.5 million in sales across auctions and private transactions reflects not only the resilience of the fine wine and spirits market, but also the continued confidence collectors place in Sotheby’s to steward the world’s most important cellars and collections. This success has been driven by a truly international buyer base, strong growth in new collectors, and our depth of expertise in presenting landmark single-owner collections. We are equally proud of the role we continue to play in prestigious charity auctions around the world.

Nick Pegna, Global Head of Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits

Key Takeaways

• Over the last decade total sales have more than doubled from $47 million in 2015 to $127.5 million in 2025
• Total number of auctions: 69 across eight selling centres
• Growth in new buyers: 35% new to Sotheby’s
• Geographic distribution of buyers: 34% EMEA / 33% Americas / 32% Asia – a near-equal split highlighting a uniquely balanced global buyer base, underscoring the resilience of the fine wine and spirits market and Sotheby’s ability to generate demand across all major regions
• The global interest in wine and spirits has reached unprecedented levels, with bidders from a record 63 countries participating in auctions, highlighting the strength and reach of Sotheby’s global collector base and reshaping global market dynamics

By Region

For the second consecutive year, New York outperformed Hong Kong as our top-selling location, achieving its second-highest total sales to date. Alongside this, Sotheby’s reaffirmed its position as the market leader in Europe, which represented our strongest region globally. This performance was driven by robust results across France and the UK.

At the same time, we expanded our sales operations into Japan and Switzerland through the establishment of dedicated, full-time local teams and a permanent physical presence in both markets strengthening our global footprint and client proximity.

Regional breakdown:

• USA: $37.3 million
• Asia: $33.5 million
• Europe: $56.7 million
• UK: $21.3 million
• France: $35.4 million

• Spirits: $21.5 Million (31% of buyers new to Sotheby’s)
  • The most valuable bottle of spirits sold globally was at Sotheby’s
  • Four out of the top five spirits sold globally were at Sotheby’s
  • Seven out of the top ten spirits sold globally were at Sotheby’s
  • For the sixth consecutive year, the top lot globally within Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits division was a spirit

Selection of Valuable Lots Sold

• The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965 (1 Bottle 1.5L), $864,825  – Edinburgh, 10 October
• The Glen Grant Eternal 77 Year Old 1948 (1 Bottle 1.5L), $532,200 – Edinburgh, 10 October
• Port Ellen Prism 46 Year Old 1978 (1 Bottle 1.5L + 1 Sample 10cl + EXP), $498,938 – Edinburgh, 10 October
• Ladyburn One of One 2025 Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw 58 Year Old 1966 (1 Bottle 70cl), $299,363 – Edinburgh, 10 October

The trusted auction house for prestigious charity and fundraising auctions

• In October, The Distillers One of One® hosted its third biennial Charity Auction in partnership with Sotheby’s, at the historic Hopetoun House near Edinburgh. Comprising a selection of 39 ultra-rare Scotch whiskies, from 35 companies and distilleries across Scotland, the auction brought an outstanding total of £2.9 million / $3.9 million (a hammer total of £2.3 million / $3.1 million), smashing the pre-sale estimate. Since its inaugural event in 2021, The Distillers One of One Auction has cemented its place as the world’s preeminent charity auction dedicated to rare Scotch whisky, with 100% of hammer proceeds donated to charitable causes. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of donors and collectors worldwide, the auctions have now raised £6.6 million to date, principally directed to the Youth Action Fund.

Partnerships with Leading Distilleries

• Sotheby’s x Bowmore (Bowmore Arc-54 The Iridos Edition, sold for £112,500 / $149,715)
• Sotheby’s x The Glenlivet (The Glenlivet 56 Year Old 1 of 1, sold for £62,500 / $81,388)
• Sotheby’s x The Macallan (The Macallan Distil Your World Mexico Single Cask Edition 2005, sold for $81,250)
• Sotheby’s x The Dalmore (The Dalmore 52 Year Old Luminary No.3 – The Rare, sold for HK$500,000 / $64,470)

The result ranks as the fourth-highest annual total for the category since the department’s founding at Sotheby’s in 1970, with higher totals recorded only in 2023 ($159m), 2022 ($150m), and 2021 ($132m).

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

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