Jim Beam plans to shutter a distillery for all of next year

Kentucky whiskey producer Jim Beam, which is one of the largest makers of American whiskey in the world, is planning to shut down production in Clermont for all of 2026.

The company also operates a larger distillery in Boston, Ky., that will not be impacted.

They said the company plans to use the down time to invest in site enhancements.

The move comes as Kentucky’s $9 billion bourbon industry grapples with a glut of whiskey and a slump in demand. The industry has already pulled back production by more than 28% to the lowest level since 2018. 

At the same time, Canada has been boycotting American spirits all year in retaliation for President Trump’s trade war and U.S. whiskey sales to that country are down by more than 60%.

Jim Beam is operated by Suntory Global Spirits, who also owns Maker’s Mark. Distilling at Maker’s Mark is not affected. 

Suntory, which bought Jim Beam in 2014, says it has invested more than $540 million in its Kentucky facilities and that more than 100,000 people visit the James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Maker’s Mark every year.

The Clermont visitors center will remain open for Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors.