The Voice

of Kentucky Bourbon & Distilled Spirits
Advancing Bourbon Through Advocacy & Action
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is the first and only organization in the Commonwealth to advocate for Kentucky Bourbon and distilled spirits at local, state, federal and international levels.

Working alongside our member distilleries and partners, we support sound public policies, strong partnerships and responsible initiatives to drive modernization and meaningful change.
Protect

We work tirelessly to protect the trade interests of our distillers, advocating for improved legislation surrounding the production, sales and distribution of our state’s signature spirits.

Take Action

We closely monitor the laws, policies and regulations that impact our members, taking swift and sound action when issues arise.

Grow

We build awareness and understanding of our distillers’ contributions to the economy, the environment and communities throughout the Commonwealth.

From Grain To Grassroots Movement
Distillers, makers, suppliers, mixologists, bartenders, businesses and consumers: we all play a part in the future of Kentucky Bourbon.

Help keep America’s only native spirit alive by joining our collaborative efforts to promote, protect and grow our iconic industry.
Be an Advocate For Kentucky Bourbon
Our distillers have perfected the art, the science and the craft of making the world’s best spirits. But they can’t do it without your support. By engaging with your elected officials and policymakers, you can help ensure that Kentucky always remains the one, true, authentic home of Bourbon.

Check here for policy issues of importance.
KDA Bourbon Trail PAC Logo
KDA Bourbon Trail® Pac
Without our advocates in public office, Kentucky Bourbon would not be the $8.6 billion signature industry it is today. It’s only through partnerships with elected officials that our distilleries, and the communities they build, can continue to grow.

The KDA Bourbon Trail® PAC is a bipartisan effort that brings together candidates, political parties and caucuses on both sides for the greater good of Bourbon, and all that it means to the people of Kentucky.
2024 Legislative Priorities

Limited Self Distribution

The KDA is working to secure a new privilege for Kentucky Craft Distilleries, allowing each to self-distribute up to 5,000 gallons of spirits annually to any Kentucky alcohol retailer. This bill would give craft distilleries the flexibility to grow sales and build brand recognition, then hand off those retail relationships to their wholesalers when the economics and sales volumes are sufficient. For Bourbon enthusiasts and Kentucky Bourbon Trail® visitors, this privilege would bring more brands to Kentucky’s finest Bourbon bars, restaurants and retail outlets, while further securing Kentucky as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.

Recent Legislative Success
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association is proud of the relationships we’ve built with our local, state and federal officials. In all our dealings with government, we are committed to representing our members and our communities with the utmost integrity.

Here are just a few of the landmark bills passed by the Kentucky General Assembly with the KDA’s full support.
HB 5: Barrel Taxes

This bill phases out Kentucky’s discriminatory barrel tax between 2026 and 2043. As the only U.S. state – and location globally – that taxes aging barrels of spirits, Kentucky’s HB 5 removes a century-long bottleneck in the Commonwealth’s ability to attract new distilling jobs, expansions and startups. Compromises by distillers ensure funding for school, fire and EMS districts will remain whole. As well, HB 5 exempts from the phase out any barrel warehouse in an industrial revenue bond contract. As no other industry pays taxes on goods still in production, HB 5 finally brings distillers parity, treating them like all other Kentucky manufacturers. The legislation builds on the Bourbon Barrel Tax Credit, passed in 2014 via HB 445.

HB 500: Private Barrel Selections

The bill provides statutory authorization and guidelines for private barrel selection events and allows each distillery that sells souvenir bottles and provides free samples to establish one satellite tasting room each. HB 500 also lets distillers create exclusive bottles, which can be sold only in-person in their gift shops and tasting rooms. The bill also allows distilleries to sell at fairs, festivals and farmers markets. These privileges will drive community development, create jobs and attract new and repeat visitors.

HB 415: Producer-Only Shipping

By streamlining direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping by alcohol producers, the long-awaited passage of House Bill 415 brings us one step closer to meeting consumers’ growing demand for Kentucky Bourbon.

HB 100: Vintage & Antique Spirits

HB 100 allows consumers to sell rare “vintage” or “antique” spirits produced decades ago to licensed retailers for resale to the public. Kentucky is now hailed as a worldwide leader in this growing market as many bars and liquor stores have created world-class whiskey libraries and offer vintage spirits to visitors making the pilgrimage to the Birthplace of Bourbon.

SB 11: Bourbon Tourism Reforms

SB 11 boldly modernized the KBT® experience by allowing distilleries
to offer more free samples, operate restaurants, serve cocktails by the drink, increase gift shop bottle sales, and allowing distilleries to give free novelty items or production byproducts in gift shops or to charity auctions.

SB 67: Take Home Cocktails

“Take home cocktails” were a lifeline to our restaurant, bar and hospitality partners during the pandemic. The passage of SB 67 makes this option permanent in Kentucky, offering a much needed boost to businesses as they continue to recover.

HB 85: Ignition Interlocks Reforms

The KDA partnered with MADD and many other groups to strengthen and improve ignition interlock laws put in place by HB 60 – a bill that requires DUI offenders to use ignition interlock devices as a way to prevent drunk driving and change habits. 

Legacy of Success

For more than a decade, the KDA has led the way in working with members of the General Assembly to grow and enhance our signature distilling industry. Click below to view all of the KDA’s past legislative success.

100 Proof Award Winners
The KDA created the “100 Proof” award in 2009 to recognize elected officials who demonstrate tremendous care, diligence and initiative in promoting and protecting Kentucky’s signature Bourbon industry.
Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer

2022 Award Recipient
2020 Award Recipient
2017 Award Recipient

Sens. Thayer and Schickel, and Reps. Koenig and McCoy, in 2022 for legislation to legalize the popular private barrel selection program and sales of barrel-aged and batched cocktails, allow distillers to sell exclusive bottles at their gift shops, open a satellite tasting room and offer complimentary samples and sell bottles and fairs, festivals and farmer’s markets.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, received the award in 2020 for his bold leadership in championing landmark legislation that will advance Kentucky as a model for spirits shipping around the country and provide parity through other key initiatives that will create jobs and enhance tourism.

Senate Majority Leader Thayer, R-Georgetown, received the award in 2017 for his skilled leadership in passing legislation that gives visitors the ability to ship bottles home, and their staunch defense of key tourism development incentives during tense budget negotiations

Senator John Schickel

2022 Award Recipient
2020 Award Recipient
2016 Award Recipient

Sens. Thayer and Schickel, and Reps. Koenig and McCoy, in 2022 for legislation to legalize the popular private barrel selection program and sales of barrel-aged and batched cocktails, allow distillers to sell exclusive bottles at their gift shops, open a satellite tasting room and offer complimentary samples and sell bottles and fairs, festivals and farmer’s markets.

Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, received the award in 2020 for his bold leadership in championing landmark legislation that will advance Kentucky as a model for spirits shipping around the country and provide parity through other key initiatives that will create jobs and enhance tourism.

Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, received the award in 2016 for passing landmark tourism legislation that authorizes cocktail sales at distilleries.

Senate Democratic Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey

2020 Award Recipient

Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, received the award in 2020 for his bold leadership in championing landmark legislation that will advance Kentucky as a model for spirits shipping around the country and provide parity through other key initiatives that will create jobs and enhance tourism.

House Majority Whip Chad McCoy

2022 Award Recipient
2020 Award Recipient
2017 Award Recipient

Sens. Thayer and Schickel, and Reps. Koenig and McCoy, in 2022 for legislation to legalize the popular private barrel selection program and sales of barrel-aged and batched cocktails, allow distillers to sell exclusive bottles at their gift shops, open a satellite tasting room and offer complimentary samples and sell bottles and fairs, festivals and farmer’s markets.

House Majority Whip Chad McCoy, R-Bardstown, received the award in 2020 for his bold leadership in championing landmark legislation that will advance Kentucky as a model for spirits shipping around the country and provide parity through other key initiatives that will create jobs and enhance tourism.

Rep. Chad McCoy, R-Bardstown, received the award in 2017 for his skilled leadership in passing legislation that gives visitors the ability to ship bottles home, and their staunch defense of key tourism development incentives during tense budget negotiations

Representative Adam Koenig

2022 Award Recipient
2020 Award Recipient

Sens. Thayer and Schickel, and Reps. Koenig and McCoy, in 2022 for legislation to legalize the popular private barrel selection program and sales of barrel-aged and batched cocktails, allow distillers to sell exclusive bottles at their gift shops, open a satellite tasting room and offer complimentary samples and sell bottles and fairs, festivals and farmer’s markets.

Rep. Adam Koenig, R-Erlanger, received the award in 2020 for his bold leadership in championing landmark legislation that will advance Kentucky as a model for spirits shipping around the country and provide parity through other key initiatives that will create jobs and enhance tourism.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer

2018 Award Recipient

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer received the award in 2018 for providing leadership in elevating tourism and collaborating with the KDA to develop partnerships with Louisville’s culinary and cosmopolitan endeavors, as well as other Bourbon-related opportunities.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

2018 Award Recipient

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell received the award in 2018 for championing Kentucky Bourbon at the federal level, including passage of the first decrease of the federal tax on spirits in generations.

Representative Linda Belcher

2016 Award Recipient

Rep. Linda Belcher, D-Shepherdsville, received the award in 2016 for passing landmark tourism legislation that authorizes cocktail sales at distilleries.

Representative Dennis Keene

2015 Award Recipient

Rep. Dennis Keene, D-Wilder, received the award in 2015 for his determined six-year effort in passing legislation that requires ignition interlocks for drunken drivers.

Senate President Robert Stivers

2014 Award Recipient

Senate President Robert Stivers, R- Manchester, received the award in 2014 for his bold leadership that led to the passage of several of the KDA’s top priorities, including the Bourbon Barrel Reinvestment Tax Credit.

Governor Steve Beshear

2012 Award Recipient

Gov. Steve Beshear received the award in 2012 for his leadership and global support of the industry.

Representative Susan Westrom

2010 Award Recipient

Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, received the first “100 Proof Award” for her tireless efforts in the 2010 legislative session to modernize Kentucky’s Bourbon sampling laws.

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