Kentucky Distillers’ Association Boosts Responsibility Commitment

 KDA Seeking first-ever Director of Social Responsibility

For Immediate Release – October 20, 2016

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that it has created a new director position that will emphasize and enhance the Bourbon industry’s commitment to alcohol responsibility, community engagement and environmental sustainability.

“As our signature industry grows, the association and our members want to grow our practices, programs and partnerships,” KDA President Eric Gregory said. “While many of our members already have their own important activities underway, we believe that the industry will benefit from more collective action and greater collaboration.”

Gregory added, “It is significant to have someone who spends every day working toward doing more in this critical area.” The job posting can be found at http://kybourbon.com/about/careers/.

Last year, the KDA Board of Directors established a special Responsibility Task Force that has been exploring and identifying initiatives and opportunities for members, such as adopting a responsible event checklist and beginning to draft common policies for members.

The group also developed the association’s guiding philosophy and ambition on the topics of responsibility, community and environment, a statement that can be found at http://kybourbon.com/responsibility/.

“This is the perfect time for elevating and accelerating our responsibility efforts across the Commonwealth,” said Rob Frederick, Director of Corporate Responsibility for Brown-Forman Corp. and Chair of the KDA Task Force.

“We have the desire and ability to bring the industry together and work closely with many others at the local and state level to lead in a meaningful way.  We want the industry to be a positive contributor to the economy, environment and society.”

Founded in 1880, the KDA is the state’s voice for Bourbon and spirits issues. Its diverse membership produces 90 percent of the world’s Bourbon, from legendary, global brands to emerging micro distilleries that are building the next generation of the timeless craft.

Kentucky Bourbon is one of the Commonwealth’s most historic and treasured industries, a booming $3 billion economic engine that generates more than 15,400 jobs with an annual payroll topping $700 million and pours $166 million into state and local coffers each year.

The KDA’s world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® adventures also set attendance records last year with nearly 900,000 guests touring an all-time high of 19 participating distilleries.

“Increasing our responsibility practices and communications will offer an opportunity to reach these guests,” Gregory said.

In addition, KDA member distilleries are in the middle of a $1.3 billion building boom, Gregory said, from innovative new tourism centers to expanded production facilities, all to meet the growing global demand for Kentucky’s signature spirit.

As further proof of the Bourbon renaissance, the KDA recently announced that state distilleries filled nearly 1.9 million barrels of Bourbon last year, the largest amount in nearly a half-century, and paid a record $17.8 million in barrel taxes that fund education and public safety.

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For more information, contact KDA President Eric Gregory at (502) 875-9351

The KDA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1880 to promote, protect and elevate Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark),

Brown-Forman Corp. (Old Forester and Woodford Reserve), Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Brands, Michter’s Distillery and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include the Louisville Distilling Company and Willett Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrel House Distilling Co., Bluegrass Distillers, Boone County Distilling Company, Boundary Oak Distillery, Casey Jones Distillery, Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Dueling Grounds Distillery, Hartfield & Co. Distillery, Jeptha Creed Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Mist Moonshine, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, O.Z. Tyler Distillery, Second Sight Spirits and Wilderness Trail Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL®, KENTUCKY BOURBON TRAIL CRAFT TOUR®, KENTUCKY BOURBON AFFAIR™ and BOURBON TRAIL™ are trademarks/service marks of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Please drink responsibly.