Another reality check on the harm the Orange TACO has done to one of Kentucky’s most lucrative exports, from the Beasley Brief:

Three major distilleries have filed for bankruptcy within eight months, affecting the industry and risking thousands of jobs in America’s whiskey heartland. The bourbon industry supports over 23,000 Kentucky workers and has an annual payroll of $1.6 billion. But all of that is in jeopardy due to economic stagnation and anxiety caused by Trump.

In addition to mounting bankruptcies, these whiskey giants are purging their workforces to save money.

• Fortune, Brown-Forman cut 700 jobs in January.
• Green River Distilling eliminated 26 positions—25% of its workforce—reported The Spirits Business.
• Diageo paused production at its Lebanon facility through June 2025, affecting additional workers statewide.
• Garrard County’s $250 million facility entered receivership in April owing $26 million.
• Kentucky Owl filed for Chapter 11, with $5.5 million in debts to Bardstown Bourbon.
• Luca Mariano declared bankruptcy with $34.5 million in debts.

Multiple factors are crushing distilleries simultaneously. American whiskey sales are in rapid decline. Trump tariffs have caused turmoil on imports AND exports. Oh, and Canada’s boycott of American goods. Apparently, they were the ones buying all of our bourbon and whiskey.

Well, I hope Kentucky is happy – they’re getting the economy they voted for.