By: Rob Kim, Hristina Byrnes
Kentucky’s whiskey industry is in trouble. The beloved alcohol is facing a major challenge as multiple distilleries (LMD Holdings, Garrard County Distilling, and Kentucky Owl) file for bankruptcy. The culprit behind the $25 million combined debt is a sharp decline in bourbon sales, a result of Gen Z. The younger generation prefers low-alcohol drinks, such as hard seltzers. This has resulted in a massive supply of aging whiskey; up to 14 million barrels. Trade tariffs from the EU and Canada haven’t helped matters. Such a serious downturn threatens over 23,000 jobs and highlights a need for a more diverse product line, along with better export conditions.



