BOURBON NEWS: Jim Beam to Shut Down Main Distillery for 2026
- Pegasus
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Don’t worry...Jim Beam is not going out of business! Jim Beam is pausing bourbon production at its main Clermont, Kentucky, distillery for the entire year of 2026 to perform site upgrades and manage inventory amid shifting consumer demand. This temporary halt, announced in December 2025, affects production of brands like Knob Creek and Basil Hayden, but bottling, warehousing, and the visitor center will remain open.
Key Details of the 2026 Production Pause:
Location: The main Clermont, Kentucky, distillery will cease distillation for 2026.
Purpose: The pause allows for necessary maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and "site enhancements".
Industry Context: This decision reflects a broader trend in the bourbon industry dealing with high, record-level aging inventory and a decrease in alcohol consumption, resulting in a need to rebalance production.
Operations Continue: Despite the pause in making whiskey, the visitor center, restaurant, and bottling/warehouse operations will remain fully functional.
Other Locations: Production will continue at other company locations, such as the Booker Noe distillery in Boston, Kentucky, and the smaller craft distillery in Clermont.
Impact on Staff: The company is working with the union to manage the workforce during this period and does not currently anticipate layoffs, looking to reassign staff.
Again, this move is described as a strategic, temporary pause, not a permanent shutdown.
According to their website....
“What we stand for has stood for generations. Quality first bourbon. Family first values. When something is made the Beam way, it’s backed by principles that withstand the test of time.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Pegasus Tours offers both private and group bourbon tours! And they have special rates with The Galt House Hotel.
Note: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not represent any endorsement by Pegasus.
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