Kentucky Distillers’ Association Launches First Ever Membership Drive

August 26, 2014

For Immediate Release – August 26, 2014

FRANKFORT, Ky. – With more than 20 new distilleries pouring into the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced its first-ever membership drive to welcome the next generation of amber craftsmanship.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be the leading voice of the spirits industry in the Commonwealth for more than 134 years,” said Joe Fraser, Chairman of the KDA’s Board of Directors and Vice President of Operations at Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. “And we’re equally proud that our ranks
have swelled to record numbers not seen in generations.

“From legendary brands to emerging distillers, all our KDA members share a common goal: to secure the integrity of our industry and to strengthen Kentucky’s rightful place as the one, true and authentic home for Bourbon.”

KDA President Eric Gregory said more than 50 leather-bound packets are being sent to all existing and potential Kentucky distillers to explain the non-profit group, its mission and its criteria for joining.

The campaign slogan is “We’ve been waiting for you since 1880” and features personalized copper membership cards. The KDA was founded in 1880 to unite, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature Bourbon and distilled spirits industry.

Today, the KDA encompasses 20 unique companies statewide, the most since 1947.

“We’ve achieved much by working together,” Gregory said. “There’s barrel strength in numbers.”

Gregory touted the KDA’s successful advocacy efforts in the 2014 legislative session that led to passage of the Bourbon Barrel Reinvestment Credit, which offsets the discriminatory ad valorem tax levied on aging barrels, and creation of a reduced license fee for craft distillers.

The KDA’s Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour® experiences are the hottest tourism attractions in the region, he said, educating more than 630,000 guests last year alone.

Other benefits of KDA membership include media relations, international trade development, private sampling events, technical assistance, economic development support, legal defense, marketing strategies, governmental and regulatory advocacy and more, he said.

Visit http://www.kybourbon.com and http://www.kybourbontrail.com for more information.
KDA Executives Signing Invites

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

The KDA, founded in 1880, is the state’s leading advocate on spirits issues. Heritage members include Beam Suntory (Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark), Brown-Forman Corp., Diageo North America, Four Roses Distillery, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. and Wild Turkey Distillery. Proof members include Michter’s Distillery.

Craft members include Alltech’s Town Branch Distillery, Barrel House Distilling Co., Copper & Kings American Brandy Distillery, Corsair Artisan Distillery, Kentucky Artisan Distillery, Limestone Branch Distillery, MB Roland Distillery, New Riff Distillery, The Old Pogue Distillery, Silver Trail Distillery, Wilderness Trail Distillery and Willett Distillery. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is the KDA’s official educational distillery.

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

Enjoy Like a True Kentuckian: Responsibly

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