Kentucky's bourbon distilleries ratcheted up production again last year, boosting overall inventory to 7.5 million barrels of aging whiskey — the highest volume since 1972, an industry group said Thursday. Last year, Kentucky's overall spirits production — mostly bourbon — surpassed 1.7 million barrels for just the second time since 1968, an increase of 129,000 barrels from 2016, the Kentucky Distillers' Association said. Tariffs could have "dramatic" consequences for Kentucky spirits makers if the disputes drag on, KDA President Eric Gregory said Thursday. "Our distilleries have expanded in the last five to 10 years at record paces, and it's all been geared toward meeting the growing global thirst for Kentucky bourbon." It's too soon to gauge whether trade disputes will cause production to decline in Kentucky, he said.

Source: Fox News September 27, 2018 18:00 UTC