Trade war with Canada has contributed to a significant decline in U.S. liquor sales
Jim Beam, one of the largest makers of American whiskey globally, is shutting down bourbon production at one of its Kentucky distilleries for a year.
The move comes amid Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada, which has contributed to a significant decline in U.S. liquor sales after the country ushered in a boycott of American booze, and as more young adults are cutting back on drinking.
Jim Beam, owned by Suntory Global Spirits, is one of Kentucky’s biggest bourbon producers.
The Bluegrass state’s $9 billion whiskey bourbon industry has been struggling to manage its abundant supply of liquor against the drop in demand.
So I know that Jim Beam is an entry level bourbon, and I know the story here is more about the tariffs and the relationship between the US and the rest of the world…
But genuine question: will 2027 Jim Beam be super good because it’s aged an extra year?
They won’t change a thing about the process or age it longer, they’re just cutting down production so their own storage doesn’t overflow since they can’t offload it as quickly.
Yeah, you’re probably right. I don’t even think Jim Beam has any information about age or years on it’s, um, plastic screwtop bottle.
Just to be safe though I’mma buy a few bottles in 2027.
You can buy fifths of Jim Beam in glass.
You can buy gallons of Jim Beam in plastic.
They make a bunch of different bourbons aged for different lengths. Skipping a year of production could let them turn more of whats already in the warehouse in to the more expensive versions.
Jim Beam with the white label won’t be any different.
Jim Beam itself is a rather pedestrian bourbon, though useful as far as price to quality ratio. They make a lot more than just Jim Beam though. Booker’s, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek.
I’m going to guess not super good, but better than 2026